Updated April 17, 2020
UPDATE: The CARES Act Provider Relief Fund Payment Attestation Portal is now open. Providers who have been allocated a payment from the initial $30 billion general distribution must sign an attestation confirming receipt of the funds and agree to the terms and conditions within 30 days of payment.
On March 27, 2020, the President signed the bipartisan CARES Act that provides $100 billion in relief funds to hospitals and other healthcare providers on the front lines of the coronavirus response. This funding will be used to support healthcare-related expenses or lost revenue attributable to COVID-19 and to ensure uninsured Americans can get testing and treatment for COVID-19.
On March 27, 2020, the President signed the bipartisan CARES Act that provides $100 billion in relief funds to hospitals and other healthcare providers on the front lines of the coronavirus response. This funding will be used to support healthcare-related expenses or lost revenue attributable to COVID-19 and to ensure uninsured Americans can get testing and treatment for COVID-19.
Updated April 8, 2020
CARES ACT
While the scope of the CARES Act is wide-ranging, this chart is limited to providing an overview of the relief available.
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CMS UPDATES
CMS will pause the national DMEPOS prior authorization program for certain DMEPOS. Prior authorization was scheduled for implementation for six lower limb prosthesis codes L5856, L5857, L5858, L5973, L5980, and L5987) in four states (PA, MI, TX, and CA) on May 11, 2020 and nationwide on October 8, 2020. AOPA has been in communication with CMS and the DME MACS to express our concerns regarding the impact prior authorization would have on patients' access to O&P care during the COVID-19 crisis. They believe that this pause will allow Medicare providers to continue to focus on providing medically necessary, clinically appropriate O&P care to Medicare beneficiaries without having to dedicate valuable resources to unfamiliar processes and documentation requirements. |
Here is the link for information on CMS webinars.
https://www.cgsmedicare.com/medicare_dynamic/wrkshp/dme_coe/dme_b_report.asp. |
Accelerated and Advance Medicare Payments Available
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced on Saturday, March 28 an expansion of its accelerated and advance payment program for Medicare-participating health care providers and suppliers, to ensure they have the resources needed during the COVID-19 national emergency. Accelerated and advance Medicare payments provide emergency funding and address cash flow issues based on historical payments when there is disruption in claims submission and/or claims processing.
The payments can be requested by hospitals; doctors; durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) suppliers; and others. Advance payments do not have to start being paid back for 120 days but must be repaid within 210 days.
To qualify for accelerated or advance payments, the provider or supplier must:
An informational fact sheet on the accelerated/advance payment process and how to submit a request can be found HERE.UPDATES FROM CMS• Signature Requirements: CMS is waiving signature and proof of delivery requirements for Part B drugs and Durable Medical Equipment when a signature cannot be obtained because of the inability to collect signatures. Suppliers should document in the medical record the appropriate date of delivery and that a signature was not able to be obtained because of COVID-19.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced on Saturday, March 28 an expansion of its accelerated and advance payment program for Medicare-participating health care providers and suppliers, to ensure they have the resources needed during the COVID-19 national emergency. Accelerated and advance Medicare payments provide emergency funding and address cash flow issues based on historical payments when there is disruption in claims submission and/or claims processing.
The payments can be requested by hospitals; doctors; durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) suppliers; and others. Advance payments do not have to start being paid back for 120 days but must be repaid within 210 days.
To qualify for accelerated or advance payments, the provider or supplier must:
- Have billed Medicare for claims within 180 days immediately prior to the date of signature on the provider’s/ supplier’s request form,
- Not be in bankruptcy,
- Not be under active medical review or program integrity investigation, and
- Not have any outstanding delinquent Medicare overpayments.
An informational fact sheet on the accelerated/advance payment process and how to submit a request can be found HERE.UPDATES FROM CMS• Signature Requirements: CMS is waiving signature and proof of delivery requirements for Part B drugs and Durable Medical Equipment when a signature cannot be obtained because of the inability to collect signatures. Suppliers should document in the medical record the appropriate date of delivery and that a signature was not able to be obtained because of COVID-19.
Updated March 24, 2020 8:11 pm EST
Stay informed on COVID-19 as it pertains to healthcare in Kentucky.
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COVID-19 Hotline (800) 722-5725
The COVID-19 hotline is a service operated by the healthcare professionals at the KY Poison Control Center who can provide advice and answer questions. Please be patient as we are handling a high volume of calls and want to give everyone the time they deserve. For general information, please review the website prior to calling the hotline. Guidance is being added as it becomes available. |
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