';
Today, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced they have expanded the list of telehealth services that Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) will pay for during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). CMS is also providing additional support to state Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) agencies as a part of their efforts to expand access to telehealth.
CMS is adding eleven new services to the Medicare telehealth services list since the initial publication of the May 1, 2020 COVID-19 interim final rule (IRF) with comment period. Medicare will begin paying eligible practitioners who furnish these newly added telehealth services effective immediately, and for the duration of the PHE. These new telehealth services include certain neurostimulator analysis and programming services, and cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation services.
In an effort to provide greater transparency on telehealth access in Medicaid and CHIP, CMS is releasing, for the first time, a preliminary Medicaid and CHIP data snapshot on telehealth utilization during the PHE. This snapshot shows, among other things, that there have been more than 34.5 million services delivered via telehealth to Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries between March and June of this year, representing an increase of more than 2,600% when compared to the same period from the prior year. The data also shows that adults ages 19-64 received the most services delivered via telehealth, although there was substantial variance across both age groups and states. Additionally, CMS is releasing a new supplement to its “State Medicaid & CHIP Telehealth Toolkit: Policy Considerations for States Expanding Use of Telehealth, COVID-19 Version,” which provides numerous new examples and insights into lessons learned from states that have implemented telehealth changes. This updated information is intended to assist states strategically think through how they explain and clarify to providers and other stakeholders which policies are temporary or permanent. It also helps states identify services that can be accessed through telehealth, which providers may deliver those services, the ways providers may use in order to deliver services through telehealth, as well as the circumstances under which telehealth can be reimbursed once the PHE expires.
The toolkit includes approaches and tools states can use to communicate with providers on utilizing telehealth for patient care. It updates and consolidates in one place the frequently asked questions and resources for states to consider as they begin planning beyond the temporary flexibilities provided in response to the pandemic.
From ANCOR:
Through our federal contract with the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), EconSys is facilitating an online dialogue on Job Developing for People with Disabilities During Times of Increased Unemployment.
This opportunity allows individuals the ability to express opinions on job development and support during these unprecedented times. We invite individuals with disabilities, their family members, and advocates, along with employment specialists, VR counselors, job coaches, employers, and others to submit their ideas.
We want to hear from you about:
We (ODEP and EconSys) would like you to share this opportunity with your network to increase participation. The online dialogue will be open through October 18, 2020.
——————————
Donna Martin
American Network of Community Options and Resources
Alexandria, VA
401-965-9411
dmartin@ancor.org
——————————
In case you missed it, there are two informational webinars taking place this week offered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) focusing around the newly available Phase 3 Provider Relief Fund General Distribution.
NOTE – the first webinar (Thursday, Oct. 15) will largely be a demo of the Provider Relief Fund application portal and more of a general overview. The second webinar (Friday, Oct. 16) is specifically geared towards behavioral health care providers/organizations and will provide updates on how Phase 3 has expanded funding eligibility to more behavioral health care providers/organizations. We encourage you to attend both!
As a reminder, applications for the Phase 3 General Distribution are being accepted now through November 6, 2020. See below for webinar registration details. If you have any questions, please email: policy@thenationalcouncil.org.
Webinar 1: Provider Relief Fund – Phase 3 Informational Webcast
Webinar 2: HHS Provider Relief Fund and the Behavioral Health Community
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinars.
HHS encourages behavioral health care providers/organizations to apply as soon as possible. Again, download instructions, review the FAQs, and check out our updated “Rules of the Road” infographic to help guide you through the application process.
Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services (DHS) and Department of Aging have issued a guidance document, “Community Spread Thresholds – Closure for Staff and COVID and Reopening Tool,” and a tool entitled “Community Participation Support and Older Adult Facility – COVID-19 Closure Reopening Tool,” to support providers in their efforts to protect against community spread of COVID-19. DHS and the Department of Aging will be sharing these documents with Service Coordinators (SCs) to use as references.
The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) has released a new resource for Service Coordinators (SCs) to utilize for assisting waiver participants with voting, especially with the unique challenges and health risks associated with the pandemic. This two-page document, Facilitating Voting by Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Participants, encourages the SCs to work with the waiver participants to develop plans for voting in the upcoming election. The document also outlines potential challenges and solutions participants may encounter in the voting process. Links for registering to vote and requesting a mail-in or absentee ballot are included in the document.