coronavirus
Provider Relief Fund Reporting Period 5
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has announced that the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Reporting Portal is open from Saturday, July 1 to Saturday, September 30, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Providers who received one or more PRF (General or Targeted) and/or American Rescue Plan Rural payments exceeding $10,000, in the aggregate, from January 1 […]
Read MoreThe DEA Relaxed Online Prescribing Rules During Covid. Now It Wants to Rein Them In.
Arielle Zionts June 27, 2023 Federal regulators want most patients to see a health care provider in person before receiving prescriptions for potentially addictive medicines through telehealth — something that hasn’t been required in more than three years. During the covid-19 public health emergency, the Drug Enforcement Administration allowed doctors and other health care providers […]
Read MoreCMS Ends COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a final rule ending the COVID-19 vaccination requirements for health care providers. The decision for CMS to end the vaccination requirements was expected based on information provided in a May 1, 2023 memo from the CMS Quality and Safety Oversight Group. CMS addresses three separate […]
Read MoreQuestions After the End of The PHE: What Do We Do Now?
The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) officially ended on May 11 and providers worked to make sure they were handling associated waivers and flexibilities appropriately. As they focused on everyday operations and regulatory requirements, some questions arose about the COVID-19 vaccination requirements and screening guidance, as well as several other topics. Each topic is discussed […]
Read MoreCDC Issues Guidance for Masking in Health Care Settings
The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) has issued revised guidance for Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic . The guidance applies to all health care settings and provides a framework to implement select infection prevention and control practices based on their individual circumstances. […]
Read MoreNEW: DEA Temporarily Extends Flexibilities for Telehealth Prescribing
Yesterday, May 9, 2023, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) issued a temporary rule that extends telemedicine flexibilities regarding prescription of controlled medications. The goal of the rule is to ensure a smooth transition for patients and practitioners that have come to rely on the availability […]
Read MoreUpdate on DEA Proposed Rule on Telemedicine Prescribing
In late February 2023 (see NAHC Report), the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) proposed a rule intended to govern the prescribing of controlled substances via telemedicine for application at the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). The proposed rule focuses on prescribing of a controlled substance via telemedicine consultation by a medical practitioner when no in-person […]
Read MorePreparing For the End of the COVID-19 PHE
The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) which began in early 2020 will come to an end on May 11, 2023. Throughout the PHE various waivers, regulations, enforcement discretion, and sub-regulatory guidance were utilized to ensure access to care and give health care providers the flexibilities needed to respond to the PHE. Some of these flexibilities […]
Read MoreNAHC Requests CMS Continue Therapy Waiver
As the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) winds down, home health agencies have expressed concerns around the expiration of one waiver (§484.55(a)(2) and §484.55(b)(3)), issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), that allowed any rehabilitation professional (occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists) to perform the initial and comprehensive assessment for all patients […]
Read MoreCMS Call on Ending COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
Tuesday, April 25, 2023 3:30 PM (EDT) – 4:30 PM (EDT) RSVP HERE Below is a notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) about an upcoming National Office Hours Call on the Ending of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. NAHC has received a number of questions from providers about the waivers and flexibilities […]
Read MoreKey Info About the End of the Public Health Emergency
This article compiled with the assistance of our friends at Alston & Bird LLP. You are probably seeing news stories about this bill which the President has said he will sign. This is not the Public Health Emergency (set to end on May 11) since the PHE is designated by HHS and the national emergency […]
Read MorePreparing Home Health and Hospice Providers for the PHE Expiration
Thursday, March 16, 2023 1:00 PM-2:00 PM EDT REGISTER On May 11, 2023 the federal government will end the public health emergency (PHE) related to the COVID-19 pandemic. For the past three years healthcare providers have been operating under numerous regulatory waivers and statutory flexibilities. Many of the waivers and flexibilities will expire with […]
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