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Mental Health

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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.

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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.

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A MESSAGE FROM OMHSAS: We are pleased to provide an update on the status of the expansion of behavioral health – telehealth.  On March 15, 2020, OMHSAS provided guidance supporting broad use of telehealth to deliver behavioral health services in the community, including in homes.  The guidance is based on the current allowable services in PA with additional flexibility that is aligned with CMS guidance.   Since the expansion guidance was issued, we have received over 1400 requests by providers who were provisionally approved to immediately initiate the expanded use of telehealth.  We are encouraged by these numbers and expect the expansion is being implemented consistently across all behavioral health networks according to the provided guidance.

We recognize these are unprecedented times as we come together to jointly address the COVID-19 crisis.  More than ever, it is incumbent upon each local community to continue to provide the necessary behavioral health supports and services to ensure individuals receive the services they need and in the delivery format that is necessary during this crisis.  During these times innovation is critical, such as expanding the use of telehealth, delivering services in the home, and allowing staff to work from home.  It is also critical to ensure sufficient office and clinic hours are available to meet the needs of new patients and established patients who either do not choose or cannot use telehealth or receive services in their homes.  As such, there should be a balance of service delivery modalities based on safety and the needs of individuals receiving services, staff providing services and overall community needs.

It is the expectation of the Department that all providers will be approved to render services as clinically appropriate through telehealth as described within the guidance based on individual needs.  Please take note of the below guidance that is being restated to reinforce the direction for the delivery of behavioral health services to support our behavioral health community needs related to telehealth during the emergency disaster declaration.

  • Telehealth will allow the use of telephonic video technology commonly available on smart phones and other electronic devices. In addition, telephone only services may be utilized in situations where video technology is not available.
  • The practitioner types that can provide services through telehealth will not be limited to psychiatrists, licensed psychologists, Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants certified in mental health; Licensed Clinical Social Workers; Licensed Professional Counselors; and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists. Other individuals providing necessary behavioral health services will be permitted to utilize telehealth for services that are within their scope of practice.
  • The provider types that can bill for telehealth under MA FFS will not be restricted to Psychiatric Outpatient Clinics, Psychiatric Partial Hospitalization Programs, and Drug & Alcohol Outpatient Clinics. When completing the Attestation Form (Appendix B), the “Other” Field (section I.a.) is not limited to HealthChoices during this state of emergency. BH-MCOs may continue to allow billing for any provider type they determine appropriate.
  • The services (procedure codes) that can be provided through telehealth under MA FFS will not be restricted to the procedure codes identified in Attachment A of the Bulletin OMHSAS-20-02. BH-MCOs already have the flexibility to do this.
  • The provision of telehealth services in homes will not be limited to Assertive Community Treatment, Dual Diagnosis Treatment Team, or Mobile Mental Health Treatment.
  • Program requirements for the number or percentage of face-to-face contacts for various behavioral health services may be met with the use of telehealth.
  • Program limits on the amount of service that can be provided through telehealth are temporarily suspended.
  • Telehealth is a modality for delivering services that can be used across all levels of care for both mental health and substance use services.
  • Telehealth should not be the only service modality used in a community and sufficient office and clinic hours should remain available to meet the needs of new and established patients.
  • Telehealth includes the ability for providers to deliver services from locations outside of the office, including the home.

RELEVANT DOCUMENTS:

Should you have any further questions or concerns, please connect with us at this email.

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EAST CENTRAL (Berks, Columbia, Luzerne, Montour, Northumberland, Schuylkill, Wyoming Counties) 717-561-5250

NORTH CENTRAL (Bradford, Clinton, Lycoming, Potter, Sullivan, Tioga, Union Counties)
717-561-5250

NORTHEAST (Carbon, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne Counties) 717-561-5257

NORTHERN TIER (Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, McKean, Venango, Warren Counties) 717-561-5254

KEYSTONE (Adams, Bedford, Blair, Centre, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Perry, Snyder, York Counties) 717-561-5255

SOUTHEAST (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia Counties)
717-561-5251

SOUTHWEST (Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer, Somerset, Washington, Westmoreland Counties) 717-561-5252

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new guidance for healthcare providers that provides information on the best ways to conserve personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gowns, facemasks, N95 respirators, and eye protection as they experience supply shortages due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

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From RELIAS:

The well-being and safety of the individuals we serve is our top priority and will remain at the heart of every decision we make.

As you prepare for Coronavirus (COVID-19), Relias wants to directly support your efforts by providing accurate and impactful education on infection prevention and control. We are currently offering a free digital toolkit — How to Prepare for Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Influenza: Training & Resources, which contains unlimited access to courses and fact-driven information regarding COVID-19 preparedness and prevention.

This toolkit will continue to be updated with the latest resources; please check back often!

We encourage you to share this toolkit with colleagues, friends, and family to help combat coronavirus. At Relias, providing these types of resources is core to our mission to measurably improve the lives of the most vulnerable members of society and those who care for them.

Thank you for helping communicate this information. In times like these we listen, we learn, and we support each other.

Explore Our Toolkit

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Late this afternoon, the Governor ordered all businesses to close at 8:00 pm tonight (Thursday, March 19), except for those considered life-sustaining. For those businesses that are not considered life-sustaining and do not close, the state will begin to take enforcement actions on Saturday, March 21, at 12:01 am.

RCPA members are considered life-sustaining businesses. For a complete chart of life-sustaining businesses, use this link.

Additional information regarding the Governor’s declaration can be found below:

Questions, please contact Jack Phillips.

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Protecting our staffs, our residents in our facilities, and our communities are paramount as we face this public health issue. VitalCore Health Strategies has created a protocol response plan that provides a very clear COVID-19 pandemic response plan and we hope you find this document beneficial for the health and safety of your facility.

The response plan is based on current guidance from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It provides an outline for infection prevention and control information that should be considered for facilities related to a COVID-19 response. Please keep in mind that the CDC’s guidance may continue to change so this plan may require updating. Please continue to visit the CDC’s website for updates. If you have any additional questions, please contact your RCPA Policy Director.

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As part of Philadelphia’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Community Behavioral Health is coordinating efforts aimed at maintaining access to services for our members and supporting the dedicated staff who are serving them. Given the rapidly evolving nature of the situation, CBH is requesting that this survey be completed by 5:00 pm on Monday, March 23, 2020.*

*Please Note: If you have already closed your programs, CBH would still be requiring you to complete this survey.

Any questions related to this matter, please feel free to contact your Provider Relations Representative or your RCPA Policy Directors Sarah Eyster or Jim Sharp.

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