Federal Resources:

Federal Resources:

The President's Coronavirus Guidelines for America
Coronavirus.gov
Office of National Drug Control Policy COVID-19 Fact Sheet
From the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS):
- CMS released 2019 Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) performance feedback and final scores. If data was submitted for the 2019 performance period, the MIPS performance feedback and final score on the Quality Payment Program website.
- CMS released the 2021 proposed rule for the quality payment program.
- CMS released its first monthly update of data that provides a snapshot of the impact of COVID-19 on the Medicare populations.
- CMS released COVID-19 Public Health Emergency tip sheets related to Quality Care Reporting requirements:
  - Skilled Nursing Facilities
  - Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities
  - Long-Term Care Hospitals
- CMS announced the release of a new provider engagemnt toolkit highlighting strategies used by Accountable Care Organizations to engage providers.
- CMS released additional guidance on telehealth services that have cost-sharing waived and additional claim examples for Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers.
- Eligible hospitals and Critical Acccess Hospitals now have until Tuesday, September 1st to submit a Medicare Promoting Interoperability Expection Application.
- CMS posted guidance on the allowance of telehealth encounters for electronic clinical quality measures (eCMQs) used in CMS quality reporting programs (MIPS, APM and Medicaid Promoting Interoperability) for the 2020 and 2021 performance periods.
- CMS announced flexibilities for clinicians participating in MIPS 2020 including the opportunity for those significantly impacted by the public health emergency to submit an extreme & uncontrollable circumstances application.
- CMS announced the creation of a new office entitled, The Office of Burden Reduction and Health Informatics. The office will focus on reducing unnecessary burden, increasing efficiencies, continued administrative simplification, the increased use of health informatics, and improving the beneficiary experience.
- CMS released preliminary data on COVID-19 derived from Medicare claims.
- Guide for patients and beneficiaries to help them interact with healthcare staff and aid in the safe resumption of non-emergency services
- Hospitals that participate in Medicare Promoting Interoperability Progam that the hardship exemption application deadline has been extended from July 1st to September 1st
- CMS announces enhanced enforcement of nursing homes for infection control practices
- Guidance for state and local officials regarding the safe reopening of the nation's nursing homes
- Nursing Homes Best Practices Toolkit to Combat COVID-19
  - Press Release
- CMS announced that a permanent change to the Social Security Act allows Nurse Practitioners (NPs), Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs), and Physician Assistants (PAs) to certify beneficiaries as eligible for Medicare’s home health benefits.
- Additional Waivers for Hospitals and Other Faciltiies
- Telehealth Video: Medicare Coverage and Payments of Virtual Services
- MLN Article: Medicare Pharmacies and Other Suppliers May Temporarily Enroll as Independent Clinical Diagnostic Laboratories to Help Address COVID-19 Testing
- Section 1135 Waivers
- Section 1115(a) Waivers
- 1915(c) Waivers Appendix K Amendments
- CMS Sweeping Changes to Ease Restrictions Around Testing and More
- New Commission To Assess Nursing Homes' Response to the Pandemic
- Medicare Shared Saving Program
- CMS Is Not Accepting New Applicants for ITs Accelerated Payment Program
- Ensuring Safety and Quality in America's Nursing Homes
- Toolkit for Long-Term Care Hospitals, Rural Health Clinics, and Federally Qualified Health Centers
- New Waivers and Rule Changes To Make Treatment Easiers
- COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Blanket Waivers for Health Care Providers
- CMS Increases Medicare Payment for High-Production Coronavirus Lab Tests
- Open Payment Program
- CMS Accelerated and Advance Payment Program Fact Sheet
- Phone call audio from CMS Administrator Seema Verma, Deborah Brix, M.D., the White House Coronavirus task force, and officials from the FDA, CDC, and FEMA on the topic of COVID-19 flexibilities.
- Upcoming Requirements for Notification of Confirmed COVID-19 (or COVID-19 Persons under Investigation) Among Residents and Staff in Nursing Homes
- COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Blanket Waivers for Health Care Providers
- CMS' Blanket Waivers to the Stark Law Offer Relief to Providers During COVID-19 Emergency
- Toolkit to expedite applications and approval of State waivers requests.
- CMS Offers Guidance on expedited CLIA Clarification
- Trump Administration Issues Key Recommendations to Nursing Home, State and Local Governments
- New video providing answers to FAQs about the Medicare telehealth services benefit.
- CMS has been hosting regular calls with a variety of clinicians, hospitals, other facilities, and states in an effort to keep stakeholders updated on our COVID-19 efforts. Click here to read the transcripts of those calls.
- CMS announced temporary regulatory changes.
- CMS sent a letter to the nation's hospitals on behalf of Vice President Pence requesting they report data in connection with their efforts to fight the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Click here to read the letter.
- The White House directed hospitals to report COVID-19 testing data to HHS, and data on bed capacity and supplies to the CDC.
- A Summary of Recent CMS Activities (March 28, 2020)
- On Friday, March 27, CMS issued an electronic toolkit regarding telehealth and telemedicine for Long Term Care Nursing Home Facilities.
- A Summary of Recent CMS Activities (March 26, 2020)
  - CMS Approves 12 Additional State Medicaid Waivers to Give States Flexibility to Address the Coronavirus Disease 2019
  - New Guidance Regarding Enhanced Medicaid Funding for States- Federal Medical Assistance Percentage and FAQs
  - 2019-Novel Coronavirus Medicare Provider Enrollment Relief FAQs
  - FAQS and Guidance on Payment and Grace Periods, Telehealth for Private Coverage and Prescription Drugs
  - FAQs on Enforcing Open Payment Deadlines
- CMS approved Medicaid waivers for 11 more states to relax enrollment and other requirements. This includes New Jersey, where pre-admission screening and other requirements were suspended or relaxed.
- Telehealth Guidance
  - Letter from the Mental Health Caucus to CMS and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services asking to expand telehealth access for behavioral and metnal health services.
- Homepage for general Medicaid Telehealth Guidance
- Medicare Telemedicine Health Care Provider Fact Sheet
- Virtual Toolkit to help you stay up-to-date on CMS materials available on COVID-19
- Frequently Asked Questions on Catastrophic Health Coverage and the Coronavirus
- Additional Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to aid state Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) agencies in their response to the COVID-19) outbreak
- Actions to assist rest homes
- CMS posted Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes and payment amounts determined by Local Medicare Administrative Contractors here.
- The Reform Incentive Payment Program (DSRIP) reporting deadline was extended past March 31. Email NJDSRIP@pcgus.com with questions.
- CMS details existing federal rules governing individual and small group health coverage that apply to the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 here.
- HHS is waiving certain Medicare, Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) program restrictions. Learn more.
- Reporting deadlines for the Reform Incentive Payment Program (DSRIP), originally slated for March 31, have been extended. DSRIP participants can email NJDSRIP@pcgus.com with questions.
- Medicare will reimburse patients for virtual check-ins, where they do not step foot in an office. Doctors and some practitioners may bill for these virtual check-in services using HCPCS G2012 or HCPCS G2010. Read more about the rules and restrictions here.
- CMS' description of essential health benefit (EHB) coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 can be found here.
- EHB coverage generally includes medically necessary quarantine supervised by a qualified medical provider during a hospital admission. Read more.
- - If your practice or organization has staff that recently traveled abroad or may otherwise have contacted an infected individual, the NJDOH outlines steps to follow here.
  - Businesses in New Jersey, including health providers and medical offices, can get information on statewide rules and guidelines affecting their organization and employees here.
  - Does your office do research? The HHS is accepting abstract submissions of 2019-nCoV diagnostics for potential funding.
- CMS' own Coronavirus Partner Toolkit filled with resources and guidance for practices, caregivers and the general public.
- New Coronavirus Law Allowing Waiver of Telehealth Restrictions for Medicare
- Senior Medical Patrol's Scam Alert
- Older resources
  - If you have any other questions, please contact them at healthcare@njii.com or +1-973-642-4055.
Medicare.gov: Medicare and Coronavirus (including info. on Telehealth and Related Services)
- Medicaid State Plan Amendments
The Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services released updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for state Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) agencies.
- CHIP State Plan Amendments
- Updated Affordable Care Act Federal Upper Limits (FUL) calculated in accordance with the Medicaid Covered Outpatient Drug final rule with comment is available on the Pharmacy Pricing page.

SAMHSA's latest compiled resources is available here.

Legislation:
- The CARES Act:
  - A summary of the CARES Act that is found on Senator Menendez's website.
  - The office of US Senator Cory Booker prepared The Small Business Owner's Guide to the CARES Act
  - Questions and awnsers about the CARES Act from the National Association of Count Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors.
  - Food and Drug Administration- The CARES Act: Relief for Health Care Providers
  - Expanded Unemployment Insurance Access and Benefits: 4 Key Takeaways From the CARES Act
  - New SBA Regulations Provide Clarity on the Application of the CARES Act Payment Protection to Tax-Exempt Nonprofit Organizations
  - From Mercaiden:
- Families First Coronavrus Response Act:
  - Summary of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act from the Pro Bono Partnership
  - The U.S. Department of Labor published a temporary rule focusing on paid leave.
    - The USDOL has provided Questions and Answers regarding the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Click here.
  - COVID-19 Tax credits for Emergency Paid Leave and Emergency Paid Family Leave is now available.
- Federal Legislation and Funding Enacted to Address COVID-19
- Forum Selection Clause Not Enforced and Parties May Seek Relief in Alternate Forums Due to COVID-19

CDC Resources:
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act Questions and Awnsers
New Federal Coronavirus Bill Waives Medicare Telehealth Restrictions
Federal bill that would increase Medicaid funding, removed cost-sharing for COVID-19 testing, and testing for people without health insurance. Read more
From U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development:
- COVID-19 Prevention and Response for Homeless Providers: Daily Resource Digest

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS):
- HHS has extended the application deadline to August 28th for Phase 2 general distribution to Medicaid, Medicaid managed care, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and dental providers and provided certain Medicare providers who experienced challenges in the Phase 1 Medicare General Distribution application period a second opportunity to receive funding.
- For Ambulatory Providers: HHS has launched a 10-week virtual peer-to-peer learning community called Telemedicine Hack to acelerate the adoption of telemedicine. Please note that CME/CEU credits are available at no extra charge. Click here to register.
- New Coronavirus hospitalization database and website to correspond with the updated guidance on reporting
- Important Updates to Privacy Rule 42 CFR Part 2 which is intended to make it easier for Americans to discuss substance use disorders with their doctors, seek treatment and find the road recovery.
- $5 Million Initiative to Fund Reserch into the responsiveness of healthcare workers and healthcare systems (can apply through June 15th)
- HHS extends deadline for healthcare providers to attest to payment receipt from the Provider Relief Fund
- Child Care Resources
- HHS Approves Purchase of Rapid Point-of-Care Tests
- HHS awards $100 million to health centers for their COIVD-19 response
- Promoting Interoperability Program participants until June 30 to submit 2019 attestations.
- Limited Waiver of HIPAA Sanctions and Penalties during a National Public Health Emergency
- HHS Expands Telehealth Benefits, Waives Penalties for Potential Resulting HIPAA Violations
- Additional HIPAA information
- Comprehensive and Updated FAQs for Employers
- Notification of Enforcement Discretion for telehealth remote communications
- National Institutes of Health- The National Library of Medicine Expands Access to Coronavirus Literature Through PubMed Central
- Office of Civil Rights:
  - OCR Issues COVID-19 Information-Sharing Guidance for First Responders
  - Cyber Threat Resources:

Health Resources & Services Administration:
The Environmental Protection Agency updated a list of disinfectants that work against the virus
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Federal Register: Promoting Telehealth for Low-Income Customers. The FCC released an order that established a COVID-19 telehealth program to support health care providers responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The FCC also adopted final rules for a long-term Connected Care Pilot Program.
- Guidance for Health Care Providers
The Joint Commission have curated COVID-19 resources. Click here to access their daily updated library of resources. Click here to read a summary of actions to aid health care organizations.
Federal Small Business Assistance
The U.S. Department of Labor released information regarding the common issues employers and employees are facing when responding to COVID-19
U.S Small Business Administration: FAQs Regarding the Participation of Faith-Based Organizations in the Paycheck Protection Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture: COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide
Food and Drug Administration:
Federal Trade Commission: Stimulus Payment Scams- What You Need to Know
Resources for Nonprofits:
- Pro Bono Partnership:
  - Federal DOL Issues Unemployment Comp Guidance for Reimbursing Employers
  - The $300 Above-the-Line Charitable Contribution Deduction Explained
Resources for Veterans
Health Equity:
- Health Equity Policy Priorities for COVID-19
- Community Health Workers are Essential to States' COVID-19 Contact Tracing Efforts

New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies

Federal Resources:

609-838-5488