';
Federal

Today, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) distributed a press release that summarizes their recent activities and actions in response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), as part of the ongoing White House Task Force efforts.

0 1214

From ANCOR:

With the Senate’s COVID-19 funding bill stalled all of Monday, the House has had time to release its competing legislation. We’re hearing from Capitol Hill insiders that your advocacy is making a difference in ongoing negotiations between both chambers, so please keep the pressure on your members of Congress!

The Ask: Use this email tool to include intellectual / developmental disability (I/DD) supports in provisions creating emergency funds and small business loans.

The Details: Yesterday, the Senate Republican leadership did not receive enough votes for its proposed COVID-19 stimulus package, forcing negotiations to continue between Senate Democrats and Republicans, and open up to House Democrats as well who have introduced their own package.

We know these are stressful times for everyone and the frequent action alerts are exhausting, but you are being heard and now is the time to keep speaking up loudly and clearly. Please keep up the good work by taking action today!

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Medicare Provider Enrollment Relief related to COVID-19. Also included are toll-free hotlines available to provide enrollment information and answer questions related to COVID-19 enrollment requirements.

For a complete and updated list of CMS actions, guidance, and other information in response to COVID-19, members should visit the Current Emergencies website.

OCR Issues Guidance on Telehealth Remote Communications Following Its Notification of Enforcement Discretion
March 20, 2020

On March 20, 2020, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued guidance on telehealth remote communications following its Notification of Enforcement Discretion during the COVID-19 nationwide public health emergency.

The Notification, issued earlier this week, announced that effective immediately, OCR is exercising its enforcement discretion to not impose penalties for HIPAA violations against health care providers in connection with their good faith provision of telehealth using communication technologies during the COVID-19 nationwide public health emergency.

The new guidance is in the form of frequently asked questions (FAQs) and clarifies how OCR is applying the Notification to support the good faith provision of telehealth. Some of the FAQs include:

  • What covered entities are included and excluded under the Notification?
  • Which parts of the HIPAA Rules are included in the Notification?
  • Does the Notification apply to violations of 42 CFR Part 2, the HHS regulation that protects the confidentiality of substance use disorder patient records?
  • When does the Notification expire?
  • Where can health care providers conduct telehealth?
  • What is a “non-public facing” remote communication product?

“We are empowering medical providers to serve patients wherever they are during this national public health emergency,” said Roger Severino, OCR Director. “We are especially concerned about reaching those most at risk, including older persons and persons with disabilities,” Severino added.

  • The FAQs on telehealth remote communications may be found here.
  • The press release on telehealth remote communications may be found here.
  • The Notification of Enforcement Discretion on telehealth remote communications may be found here.

For more information on HIPAA and COVID-19, see OCR’s February 2020 Bulletin, use this link.