Public Policy Update: COVID-19 CMS and Telehealth Guidance
Posted on: 3/18/2020
ACMA is monitoring all legislative activities related to COVID-19, especially those related to health care services. We will be posting updates from CMS, CDC, state departments of health when appropriate, and concerning legislation on capitol hill to the ACMA Public Policy updates page. ACMA is actively working with our lobbyist and advocacy arm to ensure you are informed and that we are informing our legislators of your needs.
ACMA is also keeping an eye on legislation of the COVID-19 response package currently being evaluated in the Senate. This response package, approved by The House, is primarily focused on healthcare concerns and immediate potential life-or-death impacts. The current bill allocates funds for COVID-19 testing, paid sick leave and job-protected emergency leave to slow the spread of the virus.
Other provisions include increased funding for unemployment insurance, food assistance, WIC and home-delivered meals for seniors.
The Senate is still at work in Washington this week and is currently working to meld the bill just passed by the House with a third response bill (which remains undrafted at this time) aimed at larger economic impacts including emergency aid for hospitals.
Yesterday, the Trump Administration announced expanded Medicare telehealth coverage that will enable beneficiaries to receive a wider range of healthcare services from their doctors without having to travel to a healthcare facility. In addition, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidance to all Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) Organizations (POs) to protect the health and safety of Americans in response to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. PACE is a Medicare and Medicaid program that helps people meet their healthcare needs in the community instead of going to a nursing home or other care facility.
The guidance, which is a part of the White House Coronavirus Task Force efforts, offers clear, actionable information to POs on accepted policies and standard procedures with respect to infection control. CMS will use discretion, as detailed in the memo, if PACE centers need to implement strategies to mitigate the spread of the virus that are not in full compliance with the program’s requirements.
CMS Expanded Telehealth Benefits for Medicare Beneficiaries >>>
Medicare Telemedicine Health Care Provider Fact Sheet >>>
CMS Guidance to Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) Organizations >>>
Return to Legislative Postings