Keeping Members Up To Date
February 23, 2021
NCSPS Town Hall Discussion
August 5, 2020
Town Hall Discussion
May 8, 2020
Update from Governor Cooper
As you are aware, Governor Cooper issued Executive order 138 (https://files.nc.gov/governor/documents/files/EO138-Phase-1.pdf), Easing Restrictions on Travel, Business Operations, and Mass Gatherings on May 5th, 2020. This order suggests our small businesses can begin the process of reopening using strict guidelines listed within the order.
Additionally, the NCDHHS has issued an “Interim Guidance for Owners, Staff and Patrons of Businesses” that documents the necessary steps we need to take to reopen our offices.
As of today, there are no specific “cosmetic” limitations from the Governor, NCDHHS, NC medical board or NC medical society.
In addition to the NCDHHS Interim Guidance document, I encourage everyone to use our society’s guidelines in implementing your own reopening protocols.
ASAPS Task Force Guidelines
ASPS Guideline for resumption of elective surgery
May 5, 2020
COVID-19 Update
As you may be aware Governor Cooper signed the House Bill (HB 1043-2020 COVID-19 Recovery Act) and the Senate Bill (SB 704- COVID-19 Recovery Act) into law today. Based on my phone meeting with the North Carolina Medical Society today (NCMS) I wanted to inform you on a few key provisions that may be beneficial to our society members.
Economic
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Waives interest on franchise, corporate income, or individual income tax return from April 15, 2020 through July 15, 2020
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$125 million for Golden LEAF for small business loan assistance - Click here for details
Health
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$5 million for NCMS to purchase PPE (insert link)- both NC based PPE and foreign supply. Allowing access for us to create and maintain a stockpile of PPE. - Click here for details
Liability Protections
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This provision states any health facility, health provider shall have immunity from any civil liability for any harm or damages alleged to have been sustained as a result of an act or omission in the course of providing health services as a response to COVID-19.
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For a full summary of this NC legislative bill please refer to the NCMS legislative blog post. Click here for blog post
May 1, 2020
Elective Surgery Guidelines
With the potential of a phased reopening coming up after May 8th I’m updating you on a few items pertaining to mainly small business owners/practices. Many of you may be wondering when can you open up your practice? I unfortunately don’t have an answer for you. I can tell you that our practice is anticipating a mid-May opening but this will depend on the Governor’s phased re-opening plan, the local COVID trends on the NCDHHS dashboard (www.nc.gov/covid19) and our local hospital COVID census. My suggestion is to continue monitoring these entities and make an informed decision knowing you may have to put on the brakes if a resurgence occurs.
Throughout this month I have continued communication with Mandy Cohen, secretary of NCDHHS keeping her updated with information submitted by our plastic surgery societies and offering a perspective as a small business surgery center owner. I have also maintained similar updates with the NC Medical Society and the NC Medical Board.
Comeback plan preparation will be very helpful to us in the upcoming weeks. Please refer to our last recorded webinar (click here to view) for some great ideas and suggestions. I’m attaching other useful guidelines below.
ASPS guidelines for resuming elective surgery
ACS Joint Statement roadmap for elective surgery
https://www.facs.org/covid-19/clinical-guidance/roadmap-elective-surgery
April 23, 2020
Town Hall Discussion
March 26, 2020
Town Hall Webinar
March 21, 2020
“Damage Control for the Plastic Surgery Practice.”
First, the NCDHHS issued a statement that they are requesting suspension of all elective surgeries (3/21/20).
https://www.ncmedsoc.org/ncdhhs-requests-suspension-of-elective-surgeries/
Secondly, here is local small business-related support that have become available.
Governor Cooper issues small business disaster declaration support (3/19/20):
https://governor.nc.gov/news/us-small-business-administration-grants-governor-cooper’s-request-disaster-declaration-support
Thirdly, here are employee related links to help with your difficult HR decision.
Small business loans:
https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources
https://www.sba.gov/disaster-assistance/coronavirus-covid-19
Unemployment:
https://www.careeronestop.org/LocalHelp/UnemploymentBenefits/find-unemployment-benefits.aspx?location=NC&persist=
Medical Leave:
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla/pandemic