CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCES (updated March 30, 2020)

Athene Law has been closely monitoring the rapidly evolving events surrounding the global pandemic and national emergency arising out of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.

There is a lot of information out there about COVID-19 and the impact on our economy and the healthcare system. Athene Law attorneys have found the following website to be comprehensive and useful as a one-stop shop for updated and relevant information for our clients and other healthcare providers: https://libguides.law.ucla.edu/coronavirus.

In addition, the following specific sites are also useful.

Federal waivers and modifications of numerous Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP requirements to facilitate efficient and robust coronavirus treatment, including reimbursement to providers and exemptions from sanctions, absent fraud or abuse

CMS clinical and technical guidance for healthcare facilities and laboratories:

• Frequently asked questions about Medicare fee-for-service emergency-related policies and procedures without an 1135 waiver

• Frequently asked questions about Medicare fee-for-service emergency-related policies and procedures with an 1135 waiver

• https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-engages-americas-hospitals-unprecedented-data-sharing

Billing and coding guidance re COVID-19:

• https://www.cms.gov/files/document/Accelerated-and-Advanced-Payments-Fact-Sheet.pdf

• Medicare coverage and payment related to COVID-19

• Medicaid and CHIP coverage and payment related to COVID-19

• CMS develops new code for Coronavirus lab test

• CMS develops additional code for Coronavirus lab tests

• New ICD-10-CM code for COVID-19

• ICD-10-CM Official Coding Guidelines – Supplement Coding encounters related to COVID-19

• Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) COVID-19 test pricing

• DHCS announces COVID-19 lab tests are new Medi-Cal benefits

CMS guidance concerning Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) requirements and implications related to COVID-19

California requirements for coverage related to COVID-19 treatment:

• DMHC All Plan Letter re APL-20-006 COVID-19 Screening and Testing to all DMHC-regulated full service commercial and Medi-Cal plans directing waiver of cost-sharing, timely access requirements, proactive steps for telehealth and prior authorization

• DHCS Memorandum on COVID-19 Screening and Testing to Medi-Cal Managed Care health plans reminding of existing contractual requirements

Healthcare workforce:

• OSHA Interim Guidance on COVID-19 for Health Care Facilities: Severe Respirator Supply Shortages (Mar. 28, 2020)

• CDC interim guidance for healthcare facilities re COVID-19

• CMS information for healthcare facilities concerning COVID-19

• CDPH All Facilities Letter: 2019 Novel Coronavirus Interim Guidance for Risk Assessment and Health Management of Healthcare Personnel with Potential Exposure

• DIR FAQs on laws enforced by the California Labor Commissioner’s Office re COVID-19

• Cal/OSHA interim guidance for protecting healthcare workers from exposure to COVID-19

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