Articles and Blogs

On Friday, April 17, 2020, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) updated and expanded its technical assistance publication addressing questions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and federal equal employment opportunity laws. The publication expanded on prior guidance by adding questions and answers to anticipated return to work scenarios, reasonable accommodation situations and harassment. The following…Read More

Monday, April 20 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 Issues Guidance on Resuming Non-COVID-19 Care CMS issued guidance on reopening facilities…Read More

On April 17, 2020, CMS issued MLN Matters Number: SE20016 identifying new payment for telehealth services provided by Rural Health Clinics (“RHCs”) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (“FQHCs”) as distant site providers. Prior to the Medicare expansion of telehealth coverage for services provided during the current COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (“PHE”), RHCs and FQHCs did…Read More

The reporting and disclosure of COVID-19 positive cases have been a hot button issue for nursing homes (“NHs”). On April 19, 2020, the Quality, Safety & Oversight Group at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) issued a memorandum entitled “Upcoming Requirements for Notification of Confirmed COVID-19 (or COVID‑19 Persons under Investigation) Among Residents and…Read More

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) recently conducted a webinar regarding employment practices amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The EEOC stressed that all equal employment opportunity laws still have to be followed and that the laws enforced by the EEOC don’t interfere with guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) or other…Read More

Friday, April 17 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.​ Second Tranche of CARES Funds Delayed Reports out of HHS today indicate that…Read More

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) includes a number of provisions that encourage donors to provide assistance to charitable organizations. Specifically, the CARES Act: (1) creates a new $300.00 above-the-line deduction for taxpayers who do not itemize deductions and who make monetary gifts to charitable organizations beginning in 2020; (2)…Read More

Since the spread of COVID-19 has become a national emergency, those focused on Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (“EMTALA”) compliance have justifiably concentrated on analyzing the Centers from Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) guidance provided in: i) a March 9, 2020, Memorandum and ii) the limited EMTALA waiver made retroactively effective as of March…Read More

On April 13, 2020, OSHA issued instructions and guidance to Area Offices for handling COVID-19-related complaints, referrals and severe illness reports (“Plan”). The Plan’s objective is to ensure safe conditions for workers while also taking measures to protect its own personnel. The Plan sets forth interim procedures that allow flexibility and discretion for its field…Read More

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) recently issued guidance regarding the use and preservation of personal protective equipment (“PPE”) by 503A sterile compounding pharmacies during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Known as traditional compounding pharmacies, 503A sterile compounding pharmacies generally compound patient-specific prescriptions and are not registered with FDA as Section 503B outsourcing facilities….Read More