The U.S. Centers for Health & Human Services (CMS) has issued guidelines for protecting health care workers who operate in the home and community from COVID-19, including hospice providers. The CMS materials contain guidance for screening for and treatment of the virus in addition to when patients should be transitioned to higher acuity care. The agency recommended […]
Vice President Pence said Tuesday that a group of major health insurance companies have agreed not to charge patients copays when they get tested for coronavirus. Pence made the comments at a meeting at the White House with the CEOs of major health insurance companies aimed at encouraging people to get tested by removing cost […]
Thanks to COVID-19, we’re running low on personal protective equipment (PPE), hand sanitizers, and allegedly, in some cases, responsible oversight of government responders. Now it appears that we may run low on healthcare workers thanks to the growing number of such workers who self-quarantine. The first documented instance of community transmission of a patient in Vacaville, California, led to […]
As the COVID-19 outbreak encroaches into communities across the US, payers, providers, and vendors are using telehealth to expand access to care. By Samantha McGrail March 10, 2020 – Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) recently announced that its network of 36 independently owned BCBS companies will increase access to prescription drugs, enhanced telehealth, and other clinical support systems to […]
Populations most vulnerable to high out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 testing include low-income, uninsured, underinsured, and immigrants. Source: Getty ImagesShare on Twitter By Kelsey Waddill March 09, 2020 – As the nation fights the spreading novel strain of coronavirus, payers must continue to be clear about which patients will receive coverage for their COVID-19 testing and which payers are providing […]
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop C2-21-16 Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850 Center for Clinical Standards and Quality/Quality, Safety & Oversight Group Ref: QSO-20-18-HHA DATE: March 10, 2020 TO: State Survey Agency Directors FROM: Director Quality, Safety & Oversight Group SUBJECT: Guidance for Infection Control and […]
After days of issuing updated guidance for skilled nursing operators and other Medicare providers regarding COVID-19, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is now turning its attention to home health agencies. CMS issued home health guidance related to infection control and prevention for COVID-19 — often referred to as the coronavirus — on […]
On Thursday, the Senate approved a bill that will provide $8.3 billion in emergency funds to help mitigate the effects of COVID-19, otherwise known as the coronavirus. Apart from funding, the bill made major changes to telehealth statutes, possibly allowing home-based care providers to both rely heavier on telehealth tools and be properly reimbursed for […]
Insurance coverageIn a statement on March 6, 2020, the Board of Directors for America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) announced that insurers are voluntarily covering the diagnostic testing of COVID-19 (coronavirus) when ordered by a physician. AHIP said that health insurers are taking action to ease network referral and prior authorization requirements and/or waiving patient cost-sharing. Additionally, AHIP […]
Cardiology illustrates what specialties can do to be ready As COVID-19 coronavirus encroaches into communities across the U.S., cardiology’s use of telemedicine could set a precedent for what specialties can do with the technology to both protect coronavirus-vulnerable patients and manage comorbidity that arises. “Self-quarantine and social distancing are important tools in managing disease transmission, […]
WASHINGTON (AP) — The coronavirus legislation signed by President Donald Trump on Friday lets Medicare expand the use of telemedicine in outbreak areas, potentially reducing infection risks for vulnerable seniors. Coverage of telemedicine is now limited primarily to residents of rural areas facing long road trips for treatment from specialists. The law allows the government […]
Despite a win in the $8.3 billion coronavirus package, telehealth advocates and their allies in Congress are still pushing for broader changes, they tell us. A provision in the package lets HHS Secretary Alex Azar waive Medicare telehealth payment restrictions during the coronavirus emergency. It’s narrower than what telehealth advocates — including the Alliance for Connected […]
If brick-and-mortar facilities are overloaded, “keeping people out of the health care system physically could be in everybody’s interest.” By Allison Bell  | March 06, 2020 at 10:43 AM The CDC “wants to identify the right level of care for the right situation, whether it’s telehealth, urgent care, nurse hotline or emergency room, or office.” The official in […]
As the world navigates the coronavirus outbreak, a few key technologically advanced tools are front and center in the fight to contain COVID-19. Digital tools like telehealth, consumer-facing AI-based chatbots and remote patient monitoring could play a key role in assisting with containing the virus and helping people who think they might have been exposed. Some […]