Trump Administration Guidance to Safely Reopen Nursing Homes, Additional CMS Waivers, Medicare Payment for COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests and more
Posted on: 5/20/2020
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services continues to implement waivers and guidance for hospitals, nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities and state agencies. ACMA encourages members to be aware of current updates as new guidelines and changes continue to be released. Below is a summary of information current as of May 19, 2020
Administration Issues Guidance to Ensure States Have a Plan in Place to Safely Reopen Nursing Homes
CMS announced new guidance for state and local officials to ensure the safe reopening of nursing homes across the country. It details critical steps nursing homes and communities should take prior to relaxing restrictions implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including rigorous infection prevention and control, adequate testing, and surveillance.
Read the Press Release>>>
Nursing Home Reopening Recommendations>>>
Nursing Home Reopening FAQs>>>
CMS Releases Additional Waivers for Hospitals
CMS continues to release waivers for the healthcare community including blanket waivers that allow for increased flexibilities for surge capacity and patient quarantine at hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, and critical access hospitals for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Blanket Waivers for Health Care Providers>>>
Medicare Payment for COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests
Earlier this year, CMS took action to ensure America’s patients, health care facilities, and clinical laboratories were prepared to respond to COVID-19. To help increase testing, CMS developed two codes that laboratories can use to bill for certain COVID-19 lab tests, including serology tests. CMS has updated its guidance to include payment details for additional CPT codes created by the American Medical Association. There is no cost-sharing for Medicare patients.
MAC COVID-19 Pricing>>>
Section 1135 Waivers>>>
Medicaid Disaster Response Toolkit>>>
Medicaid State Plan Amendments>>>
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and our ACMA advocacy firm Lobbyit contributed to this information.
Return to Legislative Postings