COVID-19: Coronavirus


AAHomecare Presses for Equitable Medicaid Relief

Some providers were denied the recently announced Medicaid/CHIP relief despite declining payments from the first tranche of relief. Association working with administration, lawmakers for a fix.

HHS Earmarks $15 Billion for Medicaid and CHIP Providers

The relief is for providers who have directly billed their state Medicaid/CHIP programs or Medicaid managed care plans in 2018-2020, but haven’t received payments from the $50 billion Provider Relief Fund’s General Distribution.

Senate Upvotes Bill that Adds Major Flexibility to PPP

Upper chamber passes legislation that would lengthen period for using PPP funds and decrease the percentage of funds needed to be spent on payroll. The reform now goes to the President for signature.

AAHomecare Submits Comments on CMS IFR

After thanking CMS for relief given to providers to help them continue providing services during COVID-19, association sought further clarification and recommended additional relief.

HHS Extends Relief Attestation Deadline

Agency shifts the deadline for filling out the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund attestation form from 45 days after receiving payment to 90 days.

Serving Sleep Patients During COVID-19 — and After

To tackle COVID-19, a number of solutions have been deployed to continue providing sleep therapy products and services to patients during the pandemic. How will that impact sleep care and business models after the PHE?

SIDEBAR: Vendors Also Respond to Pandemic

New services for HMEBs emerge in the wake of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Coronavirus

Business Solutions

Pandemic!

As epidemiologists and public health officials first started warning about COVID-19, some HME providers were already making plans. How has the industry responded to the public health emergency? How have these changes impacted their businesses and patients? How has public policy adjusted? How might all these changes impact the future of the HME?



David Kopf

Editor's Note

What's Your Telehealth Plan?

COVID-19 is pushing U.S. healthcare to adopt practices it should have integrated years ago, and telehealth is at the top of the list. Why? Because it makes a lot of sense, especially for HME.

SBA Issues 2 IFRs on PPP Loans

IFRs covers several issues related to loan forgiveness, loan review procedures, and borrower and lender responsibilities. VGM provides overview.

AAHomecare Offers Guidance on IFR Comments

The association has outlined a number of requests it is making in its public comments on CMS’s April 6 interim final rule. Comments are due June 1.

brown fortunato

Brown & Fortunato Releases COVID-19 White Paper

Document offers guidance on protecting patients and employees under the current public health emergency.

HHS Updates Guidance on Provider Relief Fund and Attestation Requirements

Latest update is part of multiple new and modified FAQs that HHS has released in the past week.

AAHomecare Survey Reveals Supply Chain Disruptions, Price Increases For HME Providers During COVID-19 Crisis

The survey asked more than 500 providers about the issues they have faced in obtaining PPE, oxygen equipment and other products since the onset of the pandemic.

Providers Not Required to Submit CMN For Oxygen Claims During COVID-19 Pandemic

The change comes after CMS issued an interim final rule waiving clinical indication requirements for respiratory NCDs and LCDs.

HHS Extends Attestation Deadline for COVID-19 Provider Relief Fund

Along with the extension to 45 days after receipt of payment, HHS released answers to 12 frequently asked questions about documentation and oversight measures.

advamed

AdvaMed Releases Compliance Guidelines For Medical Tech Companies Navigating COVID-19

The guidance addresses concerns such as legal obligations during declared national emergencies, staff volunteering, charitable donations and more.

CMS Releases Updated Fee Schedule For Non-Bid, Non-Rural Areas

The reimbursement rates reflect relief measures for HME providers included in the CARES Act, which went into effect in late March.

ResMed

ResMed Expands Remote Monitoring Capabilities on Ventilators in Europe

The company sped up their timeline for launching its AirView platform on ventilators and Lumis bilevel devices across Europe.

HME Operations: Inside the Pandemic

Joe Candiano, director of operations for New York provider Hampton Homecare, explains how his business rapidly rolled out new responses to COVID-19 and discusses the types of permanent post-acute changes that might result from the public health emergency.

HME Business Podcast