Tag archives: guidance

COVID-19 Update: New CDC Guidance About the Omicron Variant

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) reported that the Omicron variant has been detected in all but sixteen of the United States. The Delta variant continues to be the main variant circulating in the United States, however. The World Health Organization (“WHO”) reported on December 14, 2021, that seventy-seven countries have reported cases … Continue reading

COVID-19 update: CDC student guidelines and Delta variant

By Yvonne Puig (US), Daphne Calderon (US) and Hannah Putnam (US) on July 15, 2021 Posted in Coronavirus, Regulatory

On Friday, July 9, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) released new guidelines for students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. The CDC updated its guidelines to “provide safe and supportive learning environments for students.” It recognized that outbreaks of COVID-19 have occurred in schools; however, it indicated that multiple studies show that … Continue reading

COVID-19 Update: CDC Updates Mask Guidance

By Yvonne Puig (US), Daphne Calderon (US) and Mary Ytterberg (US) on May 13, 2021 Posted in Coronavirus, General

On May 13, 2021, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) released an update that fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear a mask in most settings. The update continues the trend of public health authorities relaxing previous guidelines for individuals that have received a COVID-19 vaccine. See Health Law Pulse posts … Continue reading

COVID-19 Update – HHS OCR Releases Legal Guidance for Expanding Vaccine Access to People with Disabilities and Older Adults

By Yvonne Puig (US), Daphne Calderon (US) and Jeff Wurzburg (US) on April 14, 2021 Posted in Coronavirus, General, News from DC

On April 13, 2021, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”) published a press release with resources, including from the Administration for Community Living (“ACL”) and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (“ASPE”), to improve access to vaccinations for individuals with disabilities and older adults. … Continue reading

OSHA Releases Information on its Recent COVID-19 Related Enforcement Activity

By Kevin Mayer (US) on November 17, 2020 Posted in Coronavirus, General

On Friday, November 13, the United States Occupational Safety & Health Administration (“OSHA”) issued a news release on its recent enforcement activities for violations that are related to the coronavirus pandemic. More specifically, OSHA stated that it has issued 204 citations arising from inspections for COVID-19 violations and that this has resulted in proposed penalties … Continue reading

COVID-19 Update: CDC Releases Guidance for Reopening

By Yvonne Puig (US), Daphne Calderon (US) and Jeff Wurzburg (US) on May 14, 2020 Posted in Coronavirus, General, News from DC

On May 14, 2020, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”) published voluntary guidance that provides checklists for reopening certain workplaces and activities. The decision tools state that “[i]t is important to check with state and local health officials and other partners to determine the most appropriate actions while adjusting to meet the unique needs … Continue reading

COVID-19 Update: CMS releases additional guidance to states on how the FFCRA and CARES Act provisions apply to Medicaid and CHIP

By Thomas Dowdell (US), Jeff Wurzburg (US), Frances Morgan (US) and Hayley White (US) on April 14, 2020 Posted in Coronavirus, General, Regulatory

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 (CARES) Act implementation. In these new resources, CMS explains the following changes, among others, to … Continue reading

COVID-19 Update: New CDC Guidance on Critical Workforce

By Yvonne Puig (US), Daphne Calderon (US) and Jeff Wurzburg (US) on April 9, 2020 Posted in Coronavirus, General, News from DC

On April 8, 2020, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”) issued updated guidance for critical infrastructure workers returning to work. Previously, the CDC had provided that an individual exposed to the coronavirus should self-quarantine for fourteen days. The CDC now recommends that critical infrastructure workers “may be permitted to continue to work following a … Continue reading

New Facility-Specific Guidance for Providers for COVID-19: Infection Control, Supply Shortages, and Staff Management

By Frances Morgan (US) on April 9, 2020 Posted in Coronavirus, General, News from DC

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 and healthcare systems… by equipping providers and clinicians with clear guidance based on CDC recommendations.” … Continue reading

COVID-19 update: CMS publishes fact sheet describing process for providers and suppliers seeking CARES Act Medicare accelerated and advance payments

By Frances Morgan (US) and Thomas Dowdell (US) on March 30, 2020 Posted in Coronavirus, General, News from DC

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 when there is a disruption in claims submission or claims processing, and are offered in … Continue reading

COVID-19 Update: CMS Releases Guidance for Hospitals and Nursing Homes

By Yvonne Puig (US), Thomas Dowdell (US), Daphne Calderon (US) and Jeff Wurzburg (US) on March 5, 2020 Posted in Coronavirus, General

On Wednesday March 4, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released three guidance documents for health care providers relating to the coronavirus. Worldwide there have been 96,888 confirmed cases, resulting in 3,305 fatalities, including 11 deaths in the United States. In a press release, CMS stated that the actions taken were “focused … Continue reading

HHS OCR issues cyber extortion newsletter

By Alexis Wilpon (US) on February 1, 2018 Posted in Regulatory

This week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) published a January 2018 newsletter focusing on “cyber extortion.” Cyber extortion often involves an attacker gaining access to an organization’s computer system, stealing sensitive information, and threatening to publish the information. Healthcare and public health organizations are often the … Continue reading

CDC releases guidance on recommended opioid prescribing

By Yvonne Puig (US) and Mark Faccenda (US) on March 15, 2016 Posted in Regulatory

On March 15, 2016, in response to an epidemic of opioid overdose deaths, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued guidance intended to assist primary care providers in prescribing opioid medications for chronic pain (pain lasting greater than three months or past the time of normal tissue healing). CDC clarifies that its guidance … Continue reading

OCR issues guidance on HIPAA Security Rule Compliance and mobile health apps

By Mark Faccenda (US) on March 1, 2016 Posted in Regulatory

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”) recently published two guidance documents to aid organizations in complying with HIPAA. The Crosswalk The HIPAA Security Rule Crosswalk to NIST Cybersecurity Framework (the “Crosswalk”), developed in connection with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (“NIST”) and the Office of the … Continue reading