CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCES
(March 12 – 18, 2021)
MedPAC Releases March 2021 Medicare Payment Report to Congress
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (“MedPAC”) released its annual Report to the Congress: Medicare Payment Policy. Among other things, this report analyzes the payment adequacy in traditional fee-for-service Medicare, reviews the status of Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D, and assesses the options for Medicare’s coverage of telehealth services following the COVID-19 public health emergency. For more information, click here.
CMS Medicare Payment for Administration of COVID-19 Vaccines
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced an increase in the Medicare Payment amount for administering the COVID-19 vaccine. Physicians, hospitals, pharmacies, and other immunizers will receive an increased payment rate for COVID-19 vaccines administered on or after March 15, 2021. For more information, click here.
HHS Expands List of Providers Authorized to Administer COVID-19 Vaccine
The Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) amended the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (“PREP”) Act declaration to include additional categories of Qualified Personnel authorized to prescribe, dispense, and administer COVID-19 vaccines. Qualified Personnel will now include dentists, EMTs, midwives, optometrists, paramedics, physician assistants, podiatrists, respiratory therapists, and veterinarians. This amendment also authorizes medical students, nursing students, and other health care students within professions listed under the PREP Act who have appropriate training and supervision to administer COVID-19 vaccines. To see whether you are eligible to administer COVID-19 vaccines, click here.