March 28, 2020 Today, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is issuing a bulletin to ensure that entities covered by civil rights authorities keep in mind their obligations under laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, […]
Month: March 2020
CMS sets up accelerated and advanced Medicare payments due to coronavirus
March 28, 2020 Modern Healthcare The CMS Saturday detailed how providers can access accelerated or advanced Medicare payments under the new economic stimulus package. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act—CARES—which President Donald Trump signed into law on Friday, enables all Medicare providers to tap into an emergency fund in order to shore up their […]
CMS provides exemptions to quality payment program participants amid COVID-19 crisis
March 22, 2020 AURORA AGUILAR The CMS on Sunday said it is easing reporting requirements for the 1.2 million clinicians in the Quality Payment Program and for other reporting programs in light of the COVID-19 crisis. Organizations participating in quality payment programs had expressed concern over accountability penalties and the potential of not receiving shared […]
CMS expands Medicare telehealth services to fight COVID-19
March 17, 2020 MICHAEL BRADY The Trump administration on Monday announced that it will expand telehealth services for Medicare beneficiaries and cut back on HIPAA enforcement, the latest move to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Medicare will pay doctors and hospitals for a broad range of telehealth services on a temporary basis, effective March 6. The […]
Physician practices modify operations to cope with COVID-19
March 17, 2020 Maria Castellucci and Harris Meyer Beginning Tuesday, staff at Indiana University Health Physicians are calling patients with scheduled appointments for routine care to come in at a later date, many being scheduled six weeks out. The decision is one of many IU Health Physicians has made over the last 10 days […]
Notification of Enforcement Discretion for Telehealth Remote Communications during the COVID-19 Nationwide Public Health Emergency
March 17, 2020 We are empowering medical providers to serve patients wherever they are during this national public health emergency. We are especially concerned about reaching those most at risk, including older persons and persons with disabilities. – Roger Severino, OCR Director. The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the Department of Health and Human […]
Waiver or Modification of Requirements under Section 1135 of the Social Security Act as the Result of the Consequences of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
March 16, 2020 What: HHS Secretary Alex M. Azar declared a public health emergency, effective March 15, 2019, at 6:00 p.m. due to the nationwide COVID-19 outbreak. Where: Nationwide. Why: President Donald J. Trump’s declaration that the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States constitutes a national emergency. Actions/Follow-Up: View the Waiver or Modification of Requirements under […]
Coronavirus testing expands to 2,000 labs
March 15, 2020 MATTHEW WEINSTOCK More than 2,000 labs across the country will start processing tests for COVID-19 early this week, Vice President Mike Pence said during a news briefing late Sunday. The move, the result of a partnership between the federal government and commercial labs, means upward of 1.9 million tests will start […]
High-deductible plans may waive cost-sharing for coronavirus tests
March 11, 2020 SHELBY LIVINGSTON The IRS released guidance on Wednesday that confirms employers may waive out-of-pocket costs for coronavirus testing and treatment for workers enrolled in high-deductible health plans. Employers have been hesitant to eliminate cost-sharing for medical tests for COVID-19 for fear of running afoul of the law even as several states and dozens of private […]
Health care provider pays $100,000 settlement to OCR for failing to implement HIPAA Security Rule requirements
March 3, 2020 The practice of Steven A. Porter, M.D., has agreed to pay $100,000 to the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and to adopt a corrective action plan to settle a potential violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Security Rule. […]