March 25, 2021
In this issue
  • Call for nominations - AMA President-Elect now open
  • Updated recommendations for spacing of COVID-19 vaccine and others
  • Tools to support physicians' COVID-19 vaccine efforts
  • Retiring from the Alberta Medical Association
  • AMA HBTF Cost-Plus Plan: Deadline extended for 2019 medical expenses
  • TFSAs and RRSPs: What incorporated doctors need to know
  • Alberta Netcare becoming more informed with community information
  • AMA committees applications process opening April 1

AMA President-Elect: Call for nominations
 
The Call for Nominations period for the 2021-22 president-elect is now open.
 
Nominations must be submitted by 9 a.m., Wednesday, April 21.
 
Learn about the process and current nominee

UPDATED: COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines spacing recommendations
 
Consideration of COVID-19 vaccine administration is required when assessing patients/clients for other vaccines and vice versa. In the absence of evidence, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization has published the following recommendations: 

1. COVID-19 vaccines should not be given simultaneously with any other vaccines.

2. Wait for a period of at least 28 days between the administration of a dose of COVID-19 vaccine and the administration of another vaccine (except in the case where another vaccine is required for post-exposure prophylaxis).

3. Wait for a period of at least 14 days after the administration of another vaccine before administering a COVID-19 vaccine. 
 
4. NEW - If another vaccine is recommended or required between dose 1 and dose 2 of a COVID-19 vaccine series, it may be administered 28 days after the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and at least 14 days before the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine is given.
 
Learn more

Tools to support physicians' COVID-19 vaccine efforts
 
As primary care clinics and community physicians in Alberta are becoming increasingly aware of their role in supporting the COVID-19 immunization efforts, two different toolkits have been developed to support physicians and their clinics: 
  • 'Be a Vaccine Positive Clinic' toolkit
  • Primary Care COVID-19 Immunization Toolkit
Learn more

Retiring from the Alberta Medical Association
 
We would like to announce that Victor Taylor, Assistant Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, will be retiring from the AMA effective April 1. In his over 25 years with the AMA, Vic served as a member of the senior management team, lead the Corporate Affairs branch and supported the AMA’s health informatics advocacy.
 
Congratulations, Vic on your well-earned retirement!
 
Victor will continue, on a part-time basis, to support the AMA’s health informatics advocacy and Cameron Plitt, COO/CFO will assume responsibility for AMA internal operations.
 

AMA HBTF Cost-Plus Plan deadline extension for 2019 medical expenses
 
On February 24, the Canada Revenue Agency issued a Technical Interpretation that stated:
 
“In light of the severity of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CRA will allow a Health Care Spending Account that qualifies as a Private Health Services Plan, and which has unused credits expiring between March 15, 2020 and March 16, 2021, to temporarily carry forward those unused credits for a period of up to 12 months. This will allow members to access services that are restricted during the COVID-19 pandemic and would not, in and of itself, disqualify the HCSA from being a PHSP. However, since a HCSA must involve a reasonable element of risk to qualify as a PHSP, it is our view that any further extension of the temporary carry-forward period beyond 12 months, would likely disqualify the HCSA from being a PHSP.”
 
While the AMA Health Benefits Trust Fund “Cost-Plus Plan” is not a Health Care Spending Account, our legal counsel has advised that it seems reasonable that CRA would allow a similar time extension for Cost-Plus Plans.
 
We have extended the deadline to submit 2019 medical expenses under the Cost-Plus Plan to December 31, 2021.
 
To submit a claim or for instructions on how to do so, click the link “Make a claim – Cost-Plus Plan” on our AMA HBTF web page.
 
Make a claim – Cost-Plus Plan

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TFSAs and RRSPs: What incorporated doctors need to know
 
If you’ve incorporated your medical practice, should you keep all earnings inside your corporation? Rethink this strategy and learn more about the use of RRSPs and TFSAs to help keep more of your money.
 
Read more
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.

Alberta Netcare becoming more informed with community information
 
The number of community physicians sharing select information from their community EMR with Alberta Netcare grows weekly.
 
As of March 10:
  • 557 family physicians and 173 community specialists in more than 155 clinics are sending consult reports and encounter information to Alberta Netcare as well as panels to the Central Patient Attachment Registry.
  • The number of consult reports from community specialists in Netcare is approaching 100,000.
  • More than 265,000 Albertans have a 'Community Encounter Digest' in their Netcare record with information from community providers.
With access to consultants' patient management plans, care teams are better equipped to treat Albertans, which has a positive impact upon those in emergency or hospital. Patient care across the health care system is more informed and hundreds of other physicians are in the sign-up stage. Check out the statistics to the end of February.
 
If you are interested in submitting your consult reports to Netcare from your Accuro, Healthquest, Med Access, PS Suite or Wolf EMR, please email: cii-specialty@albertadoctors.org
Primary care providers, please email: continuity@albertadoctors.org.

 

Coming soon – AMA committees applications process opening April 1
 
The AMA will soon be recruiting to fill upcoming fall vacancies on the following committees. Terms for these committees will be from October 2021 to September 2024.
  • Allocation Working Group
  • Committee on Financial Audit
  • Committee on Uninsured Services
  • Compensation Committee
  • Fees Advisory Committee
  • Health Issues Council
  • Peer Review Committee
The AMA is committed to diversity and inclusion in its committee appointment process. Interested in serving on an AMA committee? The applications process will open April 1.

Don't forget!
 
Have you submitted your nominations for the AMA Achievement Awards?
 
Nominations must be submitted by April 30. Awards to be presented at the AMA 2021 AGM.
 


 
MD Scope Classifieds
 
In the March 25 MD Scope Classifieds you'll find listings for
 
- Physicians wanted
- Space available
- For sale
- Services

 
View MD Scope Classifieds


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