Articles and Blogs

On March 30, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) issued blanket waivers of several Stark Law requirements related to COVID-19 physician arrangements. These waivers are welcome news to hospitals, health systems and other providers that have been tackling challenging physician contracting, compensation and staffing issues over the past month. Timeframe The... READ MORE

On March 23, 2020, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) announced the preliminary results of a recent survey of a nursing home in Kirkland, Washington, the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak in Washington. According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) report, 81 residents, 34 staff and 14 visitors also became... READ MORE

Monday, March 30 Recap Note – ​We believe this is the most up-to-date information available at this time, but it is subject to change ​as circumstances warrant. Also, all finalized resources can be found ​on the COVID-19 ​Resource ​Center page ​of Hall Render’s website.​ CMS Updates Waivers & Flexibilities Late this afternoon, CMS updated the waivers... READ MORE

On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), a $2.2 trillion stimulus package intended to spread relief across the American economy during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Title II of the CARES Act provides monetary relief for workers affected by COVID-19 by both... READ MORE

In an effort to ensure that America’s clinical laboratories are prepared to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, CMS issued a memo providing guidance during these uncertain times. In their discretion, CMS issued guidance on: (1) how pathologists may review pathology slides remotely; (2) the expedited review of CLIA applications; (3) the use of one... READ MORE

As COVID-19 continues to spread rapidly across the United States, emergency departments regardless of hospital size or location are being inundated with patients seeking emergency care. Providers have begun to question how they can fulfill their obligations to perform emergency screenings, stabilization and transfers in compliance with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act... READ MORE

As we previously posted, the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) has been releasing guidance documents regarding the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”). You can find our prior article here. One of the guidance documents included Questions and Answers (“Q&A”) that the DOL has been revising and expanding over the last few days, providing significant... READ MORE

On March 28, 2020, CMS published a Press Release announcing an expansion of its existing accelerated payment program (“APP”) to help providers and suppliers access emergency funding needed to support operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Press Release includes a Fact Sheet with details about eligibility, funding amounts, processing and how the funds are... READ MORE

Friday, March 27 Recap Note – ​We believe this is the most up-to-date information available at this time, but it is subject to change ​as circumstances warrant. Also, all finalized resources can be found ​on the COVID-19 ​Resource ​Center page ​of Hall Render’s website.​ Congressional Outlook Despite a last minute procedural objection from Rep. Tom Massie... READ MORE

COVID-19 is taking the world by storm, and in Washington D.C., our legislators have been working day and night to find methods of monetary assistance and relief for families, individuals, and businesses as the country prepares for a temporary freeze in the economy. Here is a quick highlight of the tax and general business... READ MORE