CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCES

(August 21 – 27, 2020)

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CMS Releases Interim Final Rule

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) issued an interim final rule that imposes stricter reporting and testing requirements for nursing homes, hospitals, and other providers in an effort to boost COVID-19 surveillance. Among other requirements, long-term care facilities are now required to conduct routine testing of their staff for COVID-19. In addition, hospitals and critical access hospitals are now required to report daily data critical to COVID-19 surveillance, including the number of confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19, the number of ICU beds occupied, and the availability of essential supplies. For more information, click here.

CMS Publishes Informational Bulletin for Nursing Facilities in an effort to Prevent Spread of COVID-19

CMS issued an informational bulletin on Medicaid reimbursement strategies and flexibilities available to states to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in nursing facilities. CMS is encouraging states to enhance payment for nursing facilities during the public health emergency to support the measures that facilities are taking to reduce the spread of COVID-19. To review this bulletin, click here.

OIG Updates its Work Plan

The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) updated its public-facing Work Plan. The OIG Work Plan summarizes new, ongoing, and revised areas of review that the OIG plans to pursue. The latest updates include reviews of Provider Relief Fund distributions under the CARES Act, Swing-bed services at critical access hospitals, and specialty drug coverage and reimbursement in Medicaid.