Articles and Blogs

NATIONAL 96% of older adults support requiring nursing homes to provide video visits Academic hospital finances pummeled by COVID-19: 3 unique challenges CMS issues second round of changes to support health system during COVID-19 pandemic Expanded Telehealth Has Provided a Boost for Rural America. Will It Last? FDA authorizes NASA-designed ventilator for COVID-19 Health... READ MORE

Thursday, May 7 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.​ HHS Extends Deadline for Attestation, Acceptance of Terms and Conditions for Provider... READ MORE

Nursing homes face possible fines and the need to navigate F-Tags as they embark on the new COVID-19 reporting requirements to the CDC. On May 6, 2020, the Quality, Safety & Oversight Group at CMS issued a memorandum entitled “Interim Final Rule Updating Requirements for Notification of Confirmed and Suspected COVID-19 Cases Among Residents... READ MORE

In a press release posted May 7, 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) announced that it is extending the deadline for providers and suppliers (collectively “Providers”) to attest to receipt of payments from the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund and accepting the related Terms and Conditions. The announcement comes just three... READ MORE

Recognizing that hospitals need additional flexibilities and financial stability to combat COVID‑19, CMS published in a second Interim Final Rule enabling hospitals to temporarily relocate excepted off-campus and on-campus provider-based hospital departments without losing the ability to receive payment for hospital outpatient services paid under the outpatient prospective payment system (“OPPS”). Despite this increased... READ MORE

Wednesday, May 6 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 Releases Interim Final Rule Updating Reporting Requirements in Nursing Homes CMS... READ MORE

Tuesday, May 5 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 Uploads New Medicare 1135 Waiver Document CMS issued a new document... READ MORE

On April 30, 2020, CMS published guidance in a second Interim Final Rule (“IFR”) addressing regulatory flexibilities available to hospitals to bill for hospital/critical access hospital outpatient therapeutic services on the UB-04 when such services are furnished in a temporary expansion location (including a beneficiary’s home) during the COVID-19 public health emergency (“PHE”). This... READ MORE

COVID-19 has caused substantial volatility in health care systems’ finances. The suspension of elective procedures has drastically reduced provider revenues, while expenses have generally been reduced only slightly. Government relief programs may help offset lost revenues, but for most providers, the net impact is expected to be negative. For health care systems with outstanding... READ MORE

Monday, May 4 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.​ From the FDA The FDA authorized the first serology, or antibody, test where the... READ MORE