Policy Updates

The following is the latest COVID-19 information from federal regulators and others as of 4:00 pm. on Tuesday, April 14. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services CMS has posted a new FAQ on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act). Among other subjects, this FAQ addresses the emergency period described in the Families First law; the new optional Medicaid eligibility group; benefits and cost-sharing for COVID-19-related testing and diagnosis; implications for the CHIP program; implications for the basic health program; changes in federal medical assistance matching funds (FMAP) adopted [...]

The following is the latest information from federal regulators as of 4:45 p.m. on Thursday, April 9. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services See an updated list of the section 1135 waivers CMS has granted to help states and health care providers respond to the COVID-19 crisis. National Institutes of Health The NIH has announced the launch of a clinical trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of adults hospitalized with COVID-19. Department of Health and Human Services HHS has issued guidance that authorizes pharmacists to order and administer COVID-19 tests, including serology tests. The Department of [...]

The following is the latest COVID-19 information from federal regulators as of 4:15 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services CMS has issued a news release announcing that it has approved approximately $34 billion for providers through its Accelerated and Advance Payment Program, which was created in the CARES Act. Department of Health and Human Services The Department of Health and Human Services has awarded $1.3 billion to 1387 health centers to help communities detect, prevent, diagnose, and treat COVID-19.  See an interactive map that shows the centers awarded grants here. Food and Drug Administration The FDA [...]

The following is the latest COVID-19 information from federal regulators and others as of 4:15 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7. 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.  We thought you might find this useful.  Find that document here. Department of Labor The Department of Labor has published an advisory on unemployment insurance provisions of the CARES Act.  While the advisory memo is directed to state workforce agencies, it includes detailed [...]

The following is the latest COVID-19 information from federal regulators and others as of 4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 6. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services CMS has updated its COVID-19 FAQ for state Medicaid and CHIP programs.  This FAQ covers a variety of subjects, including the use of Appendix K waivers, eligibility and enrollment flexibility, exceptions to timeliness standards, modification of eligibility verification policies, the use of telehealth, the suspension of premiums and other cost-sharing, and more. CMS has posted a video providing answers to commonly asked questions about the expanded Medicare telehealth services authorized under its nation-wide section 1135 waiver. CMS [...]

The following is the latest COVID-19 information from federal regulators and others as of 4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 3. Department of Labor The Labor Department has published a program letter with a summary of key unemployment insurance provisions of the CARES Act and guidance regarding temporary emergency state staffing flexibility. Federal Communications Commission The FCC has adopted a $200 million telehealth program to support provider responding to the COVID-19 crisis.  The money will help providers purchase telecommunications, broadband connectivity, and devices necessary for providing telehealth services.  See the FCC’s news release and its formal report and order. Centers for [...]

The following is the latest COVID-19 information from federal regulators and others as of 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  The CDC has published official and detailed ICD-10-CM coding and reporting guidelines for COVID-19 and COVID-19-related medical problems.  These instructions took effect on April 1 and extend through September 30. The CDC has published guidance on the decontamination and reuse of filtering facepiece respirators using contingency and crisis capacity strategies.   Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services CMS has been hosting regular calls with a variety of clinicians, hospitals, other facilities, and states in an effort to keep [...]

Coronavirus Update: April 1, 2020 Medicaid DSH The following is a revised schedule of Medicaid DSH allotment cuts.   Before CARES After CARES FFY 2020 $4 Billion $0 FFY 2021 $8 Billion $4 Billion FFY 2022 $8 Billion $8 Billion FFY 2023 $8 Billion $8 Billion FFY 2024 $8 Billion $8 Billion FFY 2025 $8 Billion $8 Billion Total $44 Billion $36 Billion   Centers for Disease Control Prevention The CDC has updated its guidance on responsible actions when among people who have been or may have been exposed to COVID-19. Food and Drug Administration The FDA has updated its [...]