August 19, 2021

In this issue

• COVID Vaccination: Telephone Counselling Code
• Planning on travelling? How to get proof of your COVID immunization.
• Call for nominations: CPSA Council Election
• Plasma samples needed for new test for targeted RhIG prophylaxis
• Sport biking and investing have a lot more in common than you think
• Survey Corner: Family Physicians sought for the following surveys
  • Alberta Find a Doctor
  • Are growth charts useful in communicating child growth to parents? 

COVID Vaccination – Telephone Counselling Code
 

To further support COVID-19 vaccine uptake, Alberta Health has introduced a temporary Health Service Code (03.01CC) that can be used by physicians who contact their Alberta patients to provide education or counselling regarding vaccination. 03.01CC may now be claimed for Alberta-insured patients residing in any location in the province. It is payable for direct physician-to-patient contact by phone or videoconference for the purpose of providing education/counselling regarding COVID-19 vaccination to patients who have not had their first dose of the vaccine. Physicians may claim for these services when provided any time after May 1, 2021. Claims submitted outside the 90-day window require the following text:
 

As per Medical Bulletin 248, submitting with text for payment outside of 90-day submission period.
 

This service cannot be claimed with another virtual or in-person visit provided to the patient on the same date, with the exception of vaccination care codes 13.59V and/or 13.59VA. 
 

03.01CC is now active in Alberta Health’s claims system. Physicians are encouraged to review NetCare to determine those patients who have not received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and contact them to provide counselling or education.
 

For more information, see Alberta Health Bulletin MED 245 or contact either Norma Shipley or D’Arcy Shade.

COVID-19 Questions: Travelling and Vaccines

We frequently receive health- and medicine-related questions and comments from the public. For the past 18 months many of those questions – like the following – have been about COVID-19. We thought we'd share this one with you, in the event your patients are asking you the same (or a similar) question.
 

In mid-July, a gentleman wrote to the AMA to ask:
 

“My wife and I have had both vaccines. How do we achieve a carry-on passport confirming the shots?”
 

We answered: 
 

There are three ways to present proof of vaccination when travelling, i.e., at Customs in airports or at border crossings:
 

Call for nominations - CPSA Council Election

CPSA is now accepting nominations from physicians and physician assistants to fill two regulated member vacancies on its Council. If you are interested in putting your name forward, or nominating one of your colleagues, find out what you need to do. 
 

Nominations will remain open until September 8. 
 

Questions? Email elections@cpsa.ab.ca

Non-invasive prenatal testing study:  
New test for targeted RhIG prophylaxis

Canadian Blood Services is working toward implementing Routine Noninvasive Prenatal Determination of Fetal RhD Genotype as a nationally available test. The test will involve assessment of maternal blood samples for fetal RhD type early in pregnancy.

 
From routine to targeted RhIG

For those with an RhD positive fetus, RhIG will be provided at 28 weeks as it is currently. For those predicted to carry an RhD negative fetus, RhIG can be avoided.
 

How you can help

Canadian Blood Services is looking to collaborate with physician and midwifery clinicians in this clinical trial by obtaining consent to use routinely collected maternal blood samples in order to validate the new test. No extra blood samples are required from mother or baby.
 

More information

• Patient brochure
• Health care provider infosheet
• Letter to colleagues

Research Assistant

Allahna Elahie, Allahna.Elahie@blood.ca
 

Investigators
Gwen Clarke, Gwen.Clarke@blood.ca

Jason Acker, Jason.Acker@blood.ca

Sponsored advertisement
 

Feel the need for speed in your portfolio? Ignore speculators; keep focused on the road ahead
 

Did you know that sport biking and investing have a lot more in common than you think? If you don’t keep your eyes on what’s ahead, you’ll end up on the ground. In his latest blog, former sport biker and MD Portfolio Manager Craig Maddox compares investing to riding his sport bike. Find out why it’s important to ignore the short-term noise and focus on long-term goals. 

MD Financial Management provides financial products and services, the MD Family of Funds and investment counselling services through the MD Group of Companies. For a detailed list of these companies, visit md.ca. MD Financial Management and Scotiabank are proud sponsors of the AMA Youth Run Club.

Survey Corner
 

Health care partners and other organizations often seek physician feedback through surveys. This month, the following is available for your consideration:
 

Alberta Find a Doctor survey

Alberta’s Primary Care Networks invite family physicians to participate in our evaluation of albertafindadoctor.ca by completing a brief, five-minute survey. The goal of the survey is to gather physicians’ input into how we can improve Alberta Find a Doctor to better support Albertans in their search for a family doctor and physicians who are accepting new patients. Your participation would be voluntary, anonymous and greatly appreciated.
 

Utility of growth charts as reporting tools

Researchers at the Universities of Calgary and Alberta invite family physicians to share their thoughts on the utility of growth charts as tools to communicate child growth information and educate parents. This study has been approved by the Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board – REB20-0637_REN1. Respondents will be entered for a chance to win prizes including Apple store and coffee gift cards.

Editor's note: "Survey Corner" presents survey requests received and reviewed by the AMA, that may be of interest to our members. We will publish new opportunities as we receive them.

Last issue's top stories
 

The pension income tax credit: One benefit of opening an RRIF early
 

MyHealth Records: Lab Results Online for Patients via My Personal Records
 

Notice of Elections and Changes to AMA Bylaws 

In the August 19 MD Scope Classifieds you'll find listings for:
 

- Physicians wanted

- Locums wanted

- Space available
- For sale
- Services

More from the AMA

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