On Monday, April 13, 2020, CMS released an updated FAQ on the enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Program (FMAP) and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) implementation, as well as new guidance on CMS’ Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security
COVID-19 Update: CMS Issues Additional Waivers to Assist Providers
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) temporarily suspended a number of rules to boost frontline medical staff at healthcare facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new waivers expand on the workforce flexibilities announced by CMS on March 30,…
New Facility-Specific Guidance for Providers for COVID-19: Infection Control, Supply Shortages, and Staff Management
On April 8, 2020, CMS issued follow up guidance to healthcare providers to address infection control for COVID-19 patients, including patient monitoring, isolation techniques, supply shortage guidance, and staff training to avoid infection. CMS intends this guidance to “empower hospitals…
COVID-19 Update: CMS Issues Wide Ranging Blanket Waivers to Assist Providers
On Monday, March 30, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued wide ranging blanket waivers and published an interim final rule intended to “equip the American healthcare system with maximum flexibility” to respond to COVID-19. The waivers…
COVID-19 update: CMS publishes fact sheet describing process for providers and suppliers seeking CARES Act Medicare accelerated and advance payments
On March 28, 2020, CMS released guidance related to the expanded accelerated and advance payments provided under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act signed into law by President Trump on March 27. These payments are typically available…
Update to Prior CMS Action: CMS Approves 11 New Medicaid Section 1135 Waivers; 13 States Total
On March 13, 2020, following President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, CMS announced its approval of the first Section 1135 Waiver aimed at addressing the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in Florida. On March…
CMS Announces Relief on Quality Reporting Program Measures Due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
On March 22, CMS announced that for providers participating in quality reporting programs the agency is granting extensions on reporting deadlines and allowing the omission of certain time periods for most program reporting. CMS released a programmatic chart explaining the…
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Update: CMS Announces Targeted Plan for Facility Inspections – Infection Control and Immediate Jeopardy
Coronavirus | COVID-19 Update: CMS issues guidance to all PACE Organizations to implement policies and procedures to prevent the spread of COVID-19
On Tuesday, March 17, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released guidance to all Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) Organizations (POs) on policies and standard practices to follow in regards to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
COVID-19 Update: Trump administration expands access to telehealth services for Medicare beneficiaries to combat COVID-19
On Tuesday, March 17, 2020, the Trump administration announced that it will immediately expand access to telehealth services for all Medicare beneficiaries during the COVID-19 outbreak. In coordination with this announcement, the Office for Civil Rights at the Department of…