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.
RCPA April Newsletter Cancelled
To our valued members,
In order to respect the current situation we are all dealing with, and the extreme demands on your time and energy, RCPA will not be releasing an April monthly newsletter. As the information that concerns us all the most is changing on a daily basis, we will continue to keep you all informed of any developments via our Daily Update email blasts and other critical Alerts. Thank you all for your dedication in these uncertain times.
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.
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.
COVID-19 – Tribute Video to DSPs
ANCOR partner Mark Schlater, CEO Toward Independence shared this short video, “COVID-19 – Tribute to DSPs”
Never in the history of our service delivery system have we asked so much of our DSPs.
Please share!
Contact Information for PPE-Related Questions from DOH
EAST CENTRAL (Berks, Columbia, Luzerne, Montour, Northumberland, Schuylkill, Wyoming Counties) 717-561-5250
- HAP READINESS COORD – Christopher Chamberlain – [email protected]
- EMS COORD – Chris Confalone – chrisc@easternemsorg
- PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS COORD – Tom McGroarty – [email protected]
NORTH CENTRAL (Bradford, Clinton, Lycoming, Potter, Sullivan, Tioga, Union Counties)
717-561-5250
- HAP READINESS COORD – Christopher Chamberlain – [email protected]
- EMS COORD – Chris Confalone – [email protected]
- PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS COORD – Catherine Polachek – [email protected]
NORTHEAST (Carbon, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne Counties) 717-561-5257
- HAP READINESS COORD – Jason Tomashunas – [email protected]
- EMS COORD – Chris Confalone – [email protected]
- PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS COORD – Tom McGroarty – [email protected]
NORTHERN TIER (Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, McKean, Venango, Warren Counties) 717-561-5254
- HAP READINESS COORD – Matt Linse – [email protected]
- EMS COORD – Curtis Valdiserri – [email protected]
- PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS COORD – Gary Knox – [email protected]
KEYSTONE (Adams, Bedford, Blair, Centre, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Perry, Snyder, York Counties) 717-561-5255
- HAP READINESS COORD – Scott Mickalonis – [email protected]
- EMS COORD – Les Hawthorne – [email protected]
- PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS COORD – Dennis Smith – [email protected]
SOUTHEAST (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia Counties)
717-561-5251
- HAP READINESS COORD – Brian Barth – [email protected]
- EMS COORD – Chris Confalone – [email protected]
- PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS COORD – Bob Pisch – [email protected]
SOUTHWEST (Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer, Somerset, Washington, Westmoreland Counties) 717-561-5252
- HAP READINESS COORD – Jason Brown [email protected]
- EMS COORD – Curtis Valdiserri – [email protected]
- PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS COORD – Perry Fox [email protected]
CDC Issues New Guidance on Use of Protective Gear for Providers
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.
Preparing for Coronavirus and Influenza: Free Online Training & Resources
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.
April 1, 2020 MLTSS Meeting Agenda
The agenda for the upcoming April 1, 2020 Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) Subcommittee has been released. This meeting is scheduled to take place from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. As a reminder, this meeting has been changed to webcast/teleconference only. Use this link for LISTServs and websites to ensure you receive email from DHS, including communication regarding the MLTSS Subcommittee and the Community HealthChoices Program.
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