With the growing COVID-19 concern brewing around us, here are some rural-relevant resources that might be helpful.Additional updates, resources and information will be added to this page as they become available…
Visit the CMS Current Emergencies landing page for Medicare and Medicaid related COVID-19 information. CMS has issued several guidance announcements and “special” announcements in the last few weeks dealing with this and many other potential challenges our providers may face.
Several additional resources – from assistance with supply chain to potential payroll tax reductions – are being introduced every day. Sometimes more than once a day. Keep an eye out to pertinent information that might be relevant to providers and stakeholders in your state.
- COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Health Care Providers Fact Sheet
- CDC – Coronavirus Website
- FEMA – Coronavirus Response
- HRSA – COVID-19 Information Website
- RHIhub – Rural Response to COVID-19
- USDA – COVID-19 Resources
- WHO – Coronavirus Website
The following are resources, guidance and information by category. Items will be added to this page as they become available.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
- CMS – New and Expanded Flexibilities for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) – SE20016 Revised 7/6/2020
- CMS – UPDATED 4/26/2020 – ACCELERATED AND ADVANCE PAYMENTS PROGRAM FOR PROVIDERS AND SUPPLIERS DURING COVID-19 EMERGENCY – Reevaluating the amounts that will be paid under its Accelerated Payment Program and suspending its Advance Payment Program to Part B suppliers effective immediately.
- CMS – Guidance on Requests for Exceptions from Standards to Permit Testing of Proposed Modifications 45 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) § 162.940 – “The Division of National Standards (DNS) on behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is issuing this guidance letter to clarify the process for requesting and conducting an exception to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) transaction and code set standards.”
- CMS – Podcasts and Transcripts
- CMS – Medicare Coverage and Payment of Virtual Services (YouTube) 4-3-2020
- CMS – COVID-19 Waivers & Flexibilities Webpage
- CMS – COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) Billing – RHC & FQHC Included – REVISED 5/27/2020
- CMS & HHS – Interim Final Rule – Medicare and Medicaid Programs, Basic Health Program, and Exchanges; Additional Policy and Regulatory Revisions in Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and Delay of Certain Reporting Requirements for the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program to be Published as Final 5/8/2020
- CMS – MLN SPECIAL EDITION – se20011 – 3-16-2020
- CMS – Physicians and Other Clinicians: CMS Flexibilities to Fight COVID-19 REVISED 4/29/2020
- CMS – Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs): CMS Flexibilities to Fight COVID-19 REVISED 4/29/2020
- CMS – Recommendations Re-opening Facilities to Provide Non-emergent Non-COVID-19 Healthcare 6/8/2020
- CMS – Trump Administration Issues Second Round of Sweeping Changes to Support U.S. Healthcare System During COVID-19 Pandemic – Press Release 4/30/2020
CMS – Lessons from the Front Lines: COVID-19 every Friday, 12:30 – 2:00 PM Eastern This call series is an opportunity for CMS officials to hear directly from physicians and other clinical leaders as they share their experiences, best practices, strategies, and insights related to COVID-19. These calls are held weekly on Fridays at 12:30 PM Eastern and specific topics vary. To join the calls: Participant Dial-In: (877) 251-0301 Access Code: 8672948 Webcast Streaming
Coding, Billing and Payment Guidance
- ArchProCoding – Billing and Coding for COVID-19: Reporting Coronavirus Related Services Including Telemedicine
- ArchProCoding – Facilitating HIPAA Compliance During the COVID 19 Pandemic
- CDC – ICD-10-CM Official Coding and Reporting Guidelines April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020
- CDC- UPDATED – New ICD-10-CM code for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), April 1, 2020
- CMS – COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) Billing REVISED 5/1/2020
- CMS – Medicare Coverage and Payment Related to COVID-19
- CMS – Medicare Payment for COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests 5/19/2020
- HHS – COVID-19 Claims Reimbursement to Health Care Providers and Facilities for Testing and Treatment of the Uninsured – 4/27/2020
- HRSA – FAQs for Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Provider Relief Fund
- HRSA – COVID-19 Uninsured Program Portal
- HRSA – COVID-19 Claims Reimbursement for Testing and Treatment to Health Care Providers and Facilities Serving the Uninsured 4/23/2020
1135 Waivers
Telehealth
- Center for Connected Health Policy – Federally Qualified Health Centers & Rural Health Clinics Acting As Distant Site Providers In Medicare 4-17-2020
- CMS – REVISED MLN Matters SE20016– RHC & FQHC Telehealth Distant Site Guidance 4/30/2020
- CMS – MLN Connects Special Edition Telehealth Video 4-7-2020
- CMS – MLN Connects Special Edition 4-3-2020
- CMS – TOOLKIT GENERAL PROVIDER Telemedicine 3-23-2020
- CMS – Medicare Coverage and Payment of Virtual Services – Medicare Learning Network Video 5/8/2020
- CMS – MEDICARE TELEMEDICINE HEALTH CARE PROVIDER FACT SHEET 3-17-2020
- CMS – MLN – Telehealth Services 3-2020
- CMS – MLN SPECIAL EDITION – EXPAND TELEHEALTH DURING COVID-19 3-17-2020
- Executive Order on Improving Rural Health and Telehealth Access – 8/3/2020
- USDA – COVID-19 Telehealth Service Changes – Rural Telehealth Fact Sheet 5/1/2020
EMS & First Responders
- FEMA – Training
- Texas A&M University – Rural & Community Health Institute – Health System Preparedness
- University of Nebraska Medical Center – IEXCEL – Simulation in Motion – Nebraska COVID-19
- U.S. Fire Administration – FEMA – COVID-19 resources for fire and EMS
Partner Resources
- ASTHO – Telehealth Issue Brief 3-20-2020
- CDC – Cloth Face Coverings
- CDC – Communication Toolkit – For Migrants, Refugees, and Other Limited-English-Proficient Populations 6/5/2020CDC – Contact Tracing – COVID-19 Sample Training Plans for Contact Tracers, Case Investigators, and SupervisorsCDC – Interim COVID-19 Contact Tracing Communications Toolkit for Health Departments 6/4/2020
- CDC – Coronavirus Website
- CDC – COVID-19 in Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups 4/23/2020
- CDC – Emergency Preparedness & Response – COVID – 19
- CDC – Guidance Documents
- CDC – New Interim Guidance on COVID-19 Case Investigation and Contact Tracing 5/15/2020
- CDC – Support for States, Tribes, Localities and Territories
- CDC – State & Local Readiness – Planning Resources by Setting: Hospitals and Healthcare Systems
- CDC – Strategies for Optimizing Facemask Supply
- Chartis – COVID-19 Resource Center
- Chartis – STUDY: THE RURAL HEALTH SAFETY NET UNDER PRESSURE: UNDERSTANDING THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF COVID-19
- DOJ – DEA – Diversion Control Division – COVID-19
- FORHP – FAQ Funding for Testing in Rural Communities – Rural Health Clinics (RHCs)
- HHS – Announces Enhanced Provider Portal, Relief Fund Payments for Safety Net Hospitals, Medicaid & CHIP Providers 6/9/2020
- HHS – CARES Act Provider Relief Fund: General Information – provides an overview of funding, targeted allocations and timelines
- HHS – HHS Extends Deadline for Attestation, Acceptance of Terms and Conditions for Provider Relief Fund Payments to 45 Days 5/7/2020
- HHS – HHS Provides $225 Million for COVID-19 Testing in Rural Communities (5/20/2020 Press Release)
- HHS – Medicaid Provider Distribution Instructions 6/11/2020
- HHS – Medicaid Provider Distribution Application Form 6/11/2020
- HHS – New Laboratory Data Reporting Guidance for COVID-19 Testing Guidance 6/4/2020HHS – New Laboratory Data Reporting Guidance for COVID-19 Testing FAQs 6/4/2020
- HHS – Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Application Revised 6/16/2020
- HHS – Paycheck Protection Program PPP Loan Forgiveness Application Form 3508EZ 6/16/2020
- HHS – Provider Relief Fund Payment Allocation – methodology for funding level calculations 5/7/2020
- HHS – Providers Must Act by June 3, 2020 to Receive Additional Relief Fund General Distribution Payment – Press Release 5/20/2020
- HHS – PPP Interim Final Rule – Requirements – Loan Forgiveness
- HRSA – CARES Act Provider Relief Fund Payment Attestation Portal
- HRSA – Office of Federal Assistance Management – COVID-19 Grantee Frequently Asked Questions
- HRSA- Coronavirus Information
- HRSA – Health Center Program
- iVantage – COVID-19 Community (The Chartis Group)
- National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC)
- National Network for Oral Health Access (NOHA) – COVID-19 Resources
- RHIhub – Rural Response to COVID-19
- RMECollaborative – COVID-19: What Clinicians Serving Patients in Rural and Underserved Communities Need to Know (Free CME/CE on-demand activity)
- SAMHSA – Training and Technical Assistance Related to COVID-19 MHTTC Resources
- Stroudwater – COVID Response – Immediate Cash Planning 5-7-20
- USDA – COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide
Other Resources
- The University of Washington developed and shared a public UW COVID-19 Public Resource Site containing screening and testing algorithms as well as policy templates.
- Relias – How to Prepare for Coronavirus and Influenza: Free Online Training & Resources
- RHIhub – The Rural Monitor – Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence: Some Do’s and Don’ts for Health Providers (10/17/2018)
- Zero Abuse Project – Responding to Child Abuse During a Pandemic: 25 Tips for Multi-Disciplinary Teams
- Due to COVID-19 Angel Flight East has suspended patient flights, but they can assist with flying personal protective equipment (PPE) to needed areas. CONTACT: Jess Ames, Outreach and Events Director [email protected] 215.358.1900 office 215.358.1999 fax
- CMS & CDC — Upcoming Requirements for Notification of Confirmed COVID-19 (or COVID19 Persons under Investigation) Among Residents and Staff in Nursing Homes
- ASPR – TRACIE – COVID-19 Workforce Virtual Toolkit: Resources for Healthcare Decision-Makers Responding to COVID-19 Workforce Concerns 4/22/2020
- National Rural Health Resource Center – COVID-19 Funding Sources Impacting Rural Providers
Opening Up America Again
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CMS – Recommendations Re-opening Facilities to Provide Non-emergent Non-COVID-19 Healthcare: Phase I
We are about preparation not panic. Please reach out to Tammy Norville ([email protected]), NOSORH Technical Assistance Director, with questions, for discussion or for additional assistance.