Relief Fund Established for Joplin Doctors
In the wake of the devastating tornado that destroyed a number of physician practices in Joplin on May 22, 2011, MSMA has established a special relief fund to aid your physician colleagues and their staffs there.

 

Contribute Now

The MSMA Health Education Foundation, which is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, is now set up to receive contributions and coordinate the distribution of funds to physician practices that were affected by the storm.

 
All proceeds will be used to provide needed assistance to physicians and their practice employees who suffered significant property loss, suffered significant physical injury, lost immediate family members, or face months of unemployment due to the storm.  Contributions are tax-deductible, and every penny of your donation will go to physicians and their employees who were affected by the tornado.

 

If you want to volunteer your services to this or future disasters, the American Red Cross and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) ask that you register at the ShowMe Response website at www.showmeresponse.org. Once registered, you will be instructed on how and where to proceed to volunteer your services.

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon signed an Executive Order on May 24, instructing the DHSS and the State Board of Pharmacy to temporarily waive certain rules and regulations for pharmacy services and controlled substance prescribing in Joplin.  Under the emergency waivers, pharmacists in the Joplin area are allowed to dispense emergency refills for non-controlled prescriptions without the prescriber’s authorization, subject to certain conditions. Also, several regulations regarding controlled substances are suspended.

 

 

Kansas is allowing Missouri physicians to temporarily practice in that state. The Kansas Board of Healing Arts waived certain licensure requirements temporarily, so that physicians who are licensed in Missouri and who practiced in Joplin can apply for a temporary Kansas license. They must maintain a policy of professional liability insurance that covers their practice in Kansas. Inquire about the temporary licensure through Katy Lenahan or call 785-296-8563.

WPS Medicare has established a hotline to assist physicians impacted by the severe weather in Missouri. Please call 866-842-3603 during normal WPS Medicare business hours for Medicare-related questions. Go to the website www.wpsmedicare.com for additional information for affected physicians.