Gov. Wolf: Economic Injury Disaster Loans Available to Small Businesses and Non-Profits
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Practical Issues for Employers Navigating the New Federal Emergency Paid FMLA/Sick Leave Mandates
IRF QRP Requirements Waived During COVID-19 Pandemic
U.S. Department of Labor press release on Families First Coronavirus Response Act
CMS Releases FAQs on Medicare Provider Enrollment Relief
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.
DHS Issues COVID-19 Stakeholder Update
The Department of Human Services (DHS) has issued an updated stakeholder message regarding their actions in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Included in this message are updates to: 1135 Waiver, Appendix K Waiver, Residential Treatment Facility Visitation guidance, licensing, and Electronic Visit Verification (EVV). DHS also continues to work on updating a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document, which is expected to be shared very soon. Members are encouraged to frequently check the DHS website for the most up-to-date information.
In addition, Secretary Miller will host a call for stakeholders on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at 4:00 pm. Registration information for this call will be shared on March 23, 2020.
Congress Must Remember Disability Service Providers
OCR Issues Guidance on Telehealth Remote Communications
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.
Senate Considering Third Round on Stimulus Package
From ANCOR:
We’re hearing that the Senate could begin voting as early as tonight (on the third-round stimulus package, which we’re working to ensure includes funding for key I/DD programs and prioritizes Medicaid-funded services). We’ve seen a fabulous response to the action alert we sent late yesterday (thank you!), but we need to ensure several influential Senators hear from advocates on this issue. Please use this link to reach your legislator.
Tell Congress It Must Include Disability Supports in Current COVID-19 Package
ANCOR is issuing a third call to action this week because we just updated our message to Congress about funding supports for people with intellectual / developmental disabilities (I/DD) during the COVID-19 outbreak. The new message reflects greater urgency, given Congressional negotiations that are occurring right now.
The Ask: Please use this updated email action tool to ask Congress to fund disability supports as it negotiates a third COVID-19 package.
The Details: Senate Republican and Democrats are working on competing packages for a third round of COVID-19 funding legislation. Because the negotiations surrounding combining these packages are creating new openings for the needs of people with I/DD to be heard, we are sending Congressional offices a revised message from the one we sent yesterday. This new message further emphasizes how urgently disability supports need funding to ensure the well-being of the people they support during the outbreak. It also expresses disappointment that these supports have not been included in funding packages to date. It is very important that you speak up during this critical time when legislation is being drafted!
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