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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), along with the Departments of Labor and the Treasury, recently issued guidance that announces the expanded coverage for essential diagnostic testing and other related services at no cost (no co-pays or out-of-pocket expenses). To assist in the efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19, this testing will include antibody testing (when it becomes widely available). This will include urgent care visits, emergency department visits, and in-person or telehealth visits to doctor’s offices that result in an order for or administration of a COVID-19 test.

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The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released an initial $30 billion in relief funding to Medicare providers today as part of the CARES Act, bringing the total to be distributed in the coming months to more than $100 billion. Pennsylvania has been allocated more than $1 billion in funding, which is one of the highest distribution amounts in the country.

Providers who are enrolled in Medicare have been allotted a portion of these funds based on their share of 2019 Medicare fee-for-services reimbursements. These are payments, not loans, to health care providers and will not need to be repaid.

HHS is partnering with UnitedHealth Group to deliver the initial $30 billion distribution to providers as quickly as possible. Providers will be paid via Automated Clearing House account information on file with UHG, UnitedHealthcare, or Optum Bank, or used for reimbursements from CMS. Providers who normally receive a paper check for reimbursement from CMS will receive a paper check in the mail for this payment as well, within the next few weeks.

Within 30 days of receiving the payment, providers must sign an attestation confirming receipt of the funds and agreeing to the terms and conditions of payment. The portal for signing the attestation will be open Monday and will be available here.

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CMS provided clarification around the suspension of sequestration in a special edition of MLNConnects: Section 3709 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act temporarily suspends the 2% payment adjustment currently applied to all Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) claims due to sequestration. The suspension is effective for claims with dates of service from May 1 through December 31, 2020.

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Today Governor Wolf announced the creation of a new loan program, the Hospital Emergency Loan Program (HELP), that will provide short-term financial relief to Pennsylvania’s hospitals as they prepare for the growing surge of individuals infected   with COVID-19 and the economic impact expected as a result of this surge. This loan will provide hospitals with immediate financial support for working capital to ensure they have sufficient personnel, equipment, and personal protective equipment.

The funding was dispersed by the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority and will be administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development through the Pennsylvania First Program (PA First).

Pennsylvania health care facilities licensed as hospitals by the Pennsylvania Department of Health under the Health Care Facilities Act of 1979 that are eligible to receive federal grant funding through the CARES Act are eligible for HELP. The maximum loan size is $10 million per hospital, at an interest rate of 0.5 percent.

HELP will allow hospitals to take responsive action now until funding through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was signed into law on March 27, 2020, is dispersed completely, with the goal of easing the financial strain of the pandemic and smoothing the transition back into regular health care operation. Permitted expenses under HELP will mirror those under the CARES Act, allowing hospitals to close out their loan with CARES funding once it is received.

Applications will be available on the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s website starting at 10:00 am on April 13 and will be available through April 20. The costs must be incurred between March 1, 2020 and September 1, 2020.

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Tablet on a desk - Questions and Answers

ODP Announcement 20-043 shares a Tool Kit for Communication and COVID-19 developed by the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), Special Populations. It is important that everyone has

access to information on the novel Coronavirus and what is happening in their communities. Effective communication is essential for sharing symptoms people may be having, as well as for complying with medical treatment. The Coronavirus has many people feeling anxious and scared, too; it is important for everyone to have equal access for communicating those feelings.

The Tool Kit is available, as well as two webinars that ODP is hosting, to review each element of the Tool Kit and how to use it most effectively. Please note that each session will be in both English and American Sign Language. To register for a webinar, please use one of the links below.

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ODP Announcement 20-042 is to communicate that a public notice will be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin Volume 50, Number 15 on Saturday, April 11, 2020. The notice informs stakeholders of the final Fee Schedule Rates for Transportation Trip services funded through the Adult Autism Waiver. The title of the notice is Final Fee Schedule Rates for Transportation Trip Services Funded Through the Adult Autism Waiver. You can obtain the public notice by following this link.

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