Healthcare Worker Scams

The Washington State Department of Health has been notified that scam artists are calling various health professionals across the state claiming suspicious activity with their license.  Reports indicate that scammers are using department phone numbers as their own.  This appears to be part of a larger extortion scheme related to scammers posing as government officials.  This is not how WA DOH or other government or quasi-government boards, commissions, and agencies operate, and all health professionals should be skeptical of anyone making such demands.  Please be aware that WA DOH, boards, and commissions will never call you asking for your DEA number, private information, or looking for payment.  If you receive a call and want to know if there is a legitimate issue with your credential, please contact us at hsqa.csc@doh.wa.gov.  While WA DOH has issued this notice, it certainly will apply to other states as well.

DFC October 2019 Release

CMS has published a summary of changes and other important information about the October 2019 update to Dialysis Facility Compare (https://www.medicare.gov/dialysisfacilitycompare/).  Find the summary at https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/End-Stage-Renal-Disease/ESRDGeneralInformation/Downloads/DFC-October-2019-Release-Q-and-A.pdf.

11/12 CROWNWeb New User Training

CROWNWeb has formally announced their November 12, 2019 New User Training.  For details see http://mycrownweb.org/pcw_lems/new-user-training-november/.

CROWNWeb November Newsletter

CROWNWeb (“CW”) has released the November edition of the CROWNWeb Newsletter.  In it you’ll find articles on their new Community of Practice series detailing best practices collected from the 20,000 authorized CW users, on CW online training, on the CW Admit Patient and CW Initial 2728 Worksheets, on Clinical Closures, and they also announce the November 12, 2019 New User Training.  Find the Newsletter at http://mycrownweb.org/2019/10/november-2019-newsletter/.

NW18 KCER CA Fire Resources List

The Kidney Community Emergency Response Coalition has published a list of useful resources for patients and others dealing with the wildfires in California.  The list includes links or contact information for KCER, Network 18, Cal Fire, the LA Fire Department, each dialysis provider, several Helplines and hotlines, Rx Open to locate operating pharmacies, the power companies, the California Emergency Operations Center, and a wildfire resource compendium from the HHS Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Information Gateway ASPR TRACIE.  Find the list at https://kcercoalition.com/en/california-fires/.

CY2020 Final Rule

The CY2020 ESRD Final Rule has become law.  Find a summary and a link to the Federal Register at https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/cy2020-end-stage-renal-diseasedurable-medical-equipment-final-rule-cms-1713-f.

12/7 First AAKP Annual Fun Walk

AAKP will celebrate their 50th Anniversary on December 7, 2019 by initiating their first AAKP Annual Fun Walk.  The formal celebration will take place in Tampa Bay FL with a one-mile walk, music, exhibitors, and family fun activities, but you can celebrate by yourself or as a team wherever you are, nationally, globally, or virtually, by staging your own Fun Walk.  For details see https://aakp.org/programs-and-events/fun-walk/.