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AAOMS Day on the Hill – Registration Now Open!

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Register now for Day on the Hill — Funding Opportunities Available!

WHEN: March 17-18
WHERE: Washington, D.C.
WHY: To protect and advance the OMS specialty!

Please support AAOMS advocacy efforts and the specialty by joining OMS colleagues from across the country in Washington D.C. on March 17 and 18 as AAOMS celebrates the 25th Anniversary of Day on the Hill, the Association’s premier grassroots advocacy day.

Watch what OMSPAC Board member John J. Rydlewicz, DDS has to say about the benefits of participating in this federal advocacy event.
 
To ensure our state is well represented at this event, let’s turn out in numbers. Please register today and encourage a colleague to join you!
 
AAOMS will cover roundtrip airfare and one night’s hotel accommodations on a first-come, first-served basis for a limited number of AAOMS fellows and members who have not attended an in-person Day on the Hill within the past five years.
 
No advocacy or political experience is required. AAOMS Staff will ensure you are well-equipped to meet with members of Congress and their staff.
 
If you have any questions, please contact Paula Kantas at pkantas@aaoms.org or 847-233-4392. Visit AAOMS.org/DayontheHill for more information.

Valuable Coding and Reimbursement Resources!

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Dear State OMS Society Executive Directors and Presidents:

Please find attached a letter from the chair of the AAOMS Committee on Healthcare Policy, Coding and Reimbursement. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions!

Thank you!

Sandy Guenther
Director, State Government Affairs

American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
9700 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Rosemont, IL 60018
Office: 800-822-6637, ext. 4388 | Fax: 847-678-4619
sguenther@aaoms.org | AAOMS.org | MyOMS.org

DEA announces MATE Act training requirement

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New DEA training requirements affecting oral and maxillofacial surgeons licensed to prescribe controlled substances take effect this summer. All DEA-registered practitioners must complete a one-time eight-hour training requirement of coursework addressing substance use disorders as part of the Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act.

Practitioners who complete their next scheduled DEA renewal registration or an initial application on or after June 27 must check a box on their online DEA registration form affirming they have completed the training. The DEA clarifies that past training – including continuing education received through AAOMS or the ADA prior to Dec. 29, 2022 – counts toward meeting this requirement and that the eight hours does not need to be completed as a single session.

Training may be on the management of patients with opioid or other substance use disorders and not necessarily the treatment of these patients. We believe AAOMS offers qualifying online CE courses to meet the requirement.

While AAOMS continues its communications with the DEA and SAMHSA, we also would strongly suggest contacting the DEA with questions regarding qualifying courses or other matters. Email questions to the Diversion Control Division Policy Section at odlp@dea.gov or call 571-362-3260.

Visit our website for key provisions, advocacy efforts and available educational resources to assist members in complying with the MATE Act. Questions? Email advocacy@aaoms.org.

URGENT MESSAGE: Contact DOH Commissioner Regarding Vaccines

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SCSOMS President Dr. Brian Cherry has written the DOH Commissioner to urge inclusion of OMSs in the first wave of healthcare providers to receive COVID-19 vaccines.
 
Below is the call to action from AAOMS.  We urge all members to assist in this effort by following the links below.

Action Alert: As vaccines near, officials need to prioritize OMSs 

As manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies work to finalize distribution conduits for approved SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, officials are working on prioritizing the list of providers to receive critical immunizations. 

While dentists – and thus OMSs – are included in the list of priority healthcare workers to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, additional outreach to state officials could help ensure OMSs are recognized as critical first responders and included in the first wave of inoculations.
Members can easily communicate this message through the Association’s VoterVoice grassroots platform. Simply click the links below to participate in these email-writing campaigns.

Reach out to your state Department of Health

There is no doubt that OMSs are first responders when it comes to treating dental emergencies and facial trauma. Reach out today. 

COVID-19 Resources for OMS Practices

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Please see summaries and links that have been recently added to the AAOMS COVID-19 Resources. See also links to the infections control webinar and Telehealth page.

The Health Care Group – publisher of some AAOMS practice management publications – has teamed up with Health Care Law Associates to develop a summary of significant COVID-19 legal developments related to OMS practices. COVID-19 Resource for OMS Practice Owners, Associates and Managers (pdf) is being offered at no cost to AAOMS members. The guide covers mandated paid time off, paycheck protection program under the CARES Act, benefit plans relief and the CMS accelerated and advance payments program.

The SBA Webinars are now available:

The Infection Control Webinar also remains active:

Updated Telehealth Resources At-a-Glance

  • With the COVID-19 outbreak, CMS and states are working to eliminate barriers to telehealth use – including telephone or “virtual” evaluations and/or treatment advice – to help patients access care remotely and reduce the strain on hospitals and clinics. AAOMS has assembled a new webpage – Telehealth Resources – with details and links that will be updated when new information becomes available. In addition, AAOMS published AAOMS White Paper: Telehealth and Remote Treatment in January (pdf).