The following is the latest COVID-19 information from the federal government as of 2:30 p.m. on Friday, August 7.

White House:  Executive Order

The White House issued an executive order directing the Department of Health and Human Services to extend permanently some of the Medicare telehealth waivers initiated during the COVID-19 public health emergency; to simplify Medicare billing codes and propose a payment model to improve health care in rural areas; and to encourage the Department of Agriculture and Federal Communications Commission to invest in technology that enhances access to telehealth services.

The administration’s plans for following through on this executive order are described in an HHS news release that summarizes the policy changes the administration seeks and a CMS news release that addresses several proposed regulations that would facilitate achieving these objectives.

Department of Health and Human Services

 

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

 

Food and Drug Administration

 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

 

Federal Funding Opportunities for Hospitals

  • The National Alliance of Safety-Net Hospitals has prepared a document that collects and presents in one place the various new federal funding opportunities for hospitals resulting from legislation addressing the COVID-19 public health emergency.  Find that document here.