COVID-19 Resources 

We thank our elected officials for their dedication in making difficult decisions with a constant flow of information, and then conveying updated guidance as a united voice. Many family physicians have provided important perspective and advice to their local media and in all interactions keeping their patients informed and safe. We must continue to be diligent and compassionate. We must also support each other, our staff and care teams and our patients, families and communities.

With the constantly changing information, please rely on the most trusted resources with information specifically for you and your patients.

AAFP resource center for COVID-19 and the AAFP Daily Update Page and the ABFM COVID19 update page
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Illinois Department of Public Health and For Providers:  SIREN (Electronic Notification System)
For patients Coronovirus.Illinois.gov  The Illinois Department of Public Health has a statewide COVID-19/coronavirus hotline to answer any questions from the public or to report a suspected case: 1-800-889-3931.
IL Gov. JB Pritzker's executive order on telehealth payment and medical license reinstatement 
More information on Illinois actions, including health plan guidance on telehealth. 

Chicago DPH uses the Health Alert Network (HAN) to quickly disseminate clinical guidance, updates, and new information to providers, public health partners, and healthcare systems. Registration is free.
NEW - link to COVID19 press with IAFP members

Doctors Company notice regarding no-cost malpractice coverage for retired physicians who volunteer
ISMS Guidance on retired physician liability curing the COVID-19 crisis

National Institutes of Health Coronavirus Center
Stanford University CME Center on COVID-19

Specific links from AAFP that have been identified as high priorities for our members

• For your practice: AAFP Physician’s office checklist 
• AAFP Getting Paid blog: Information on tele-medicine, and any new factors regarding coding and payment. 
• AAFP COVID-19 Rapid Response Member Exchange - AAFP’s discussion community (member login needed) where you can connect with others, maybe in similar situations as yours. 
• AAFP Federal Advocacy efforts on COVID-19 

New Category I CPT code and long descriptor are: 87635 Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (Coronavirus disease [COVID-19]), amplified probe technique. The code is effective immediately for use as the industry standard for reporting of tests for the novel coronavirus across the nation’s health care system. In addition to the long descriptor, CPT code 87635 has short and medium descriptors that can be accessed on the AMA website.

Our public health system is hard at work; and we are all working together to contain the threat and keep our communities safe.Take care of yourself and your family. Help educate your patients and colleagues on the steps we all need to take to stay healthy. Thank you for your leadership on the front lines of medicine.

Sincerely,

Michael A. Hanak, MD
Acting President