Articles and Blogs

In response to COVID-19, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) has implemented multiple updates to the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (“MIPS”) to relieve clinicians of certain reporting requirements including an extension for the 2019 performance year data submission deadline and the extension of the MIPS Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances policy for individual... READ MORE

On April 21, 2020, CMS issued a Memorandum identifying state-licensed freestanding independent emergency departments (“Freestanding EDs”) as a critical resource in expanding capacity for hospitals during the COVID-19 public health emergency (“PHE”) and detailing how Freestanding EDs may begin to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs during the PHE. The Memo comes shortly... READ MORE

This is the first in a series of articles covering the employee benefits provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), enacted March 27, 2020, that provides a variety of tax incentives for employers and employees. This article will focus on the retirement plan provisions. Coronavirus-Related Distributions The CARES Act... READ MORE

Tuesday, April 28 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.​ Trump Administration Releases “Blueprint for Testing Plans and Rapid Response Programs” The... READ MORE

Monday, April 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.​ HRSA Launches COVID-19 Uninsured Program Portal Today, the Health Resources and Services... READ MORE

On April 16, 2020, just weeks after the Family First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”) became law on March 18, 2020, a single mother sued her employer and two individual company employees in federal court in Pennsylvania claiming she was terminated for her unsuccessful attempts to utilize the FFCRA’s protected leave provisions to stay home... READ MORE

Visitation, residents leaving and returning, telephone surveys, hospitalized patients being discharged to a nursing home and other issues have been challenging for skilled nursing facilities (“SNFs”) and nursing facilities (“NFs”) (in this alert, SNFs and NFs are collectively Long‑Term Care Facilities “LTC Facilities”) as they navigate the evolving government guidance. On April 24, 2020,... READ MORE

HHS published a new Terms and Conditions document that is specific to payments that started being distributed on Friday, April 24 from the CARES Act Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund’s (“Relief Fund”) second $20 billion tranche. Highlights New Terms and Conditions: A second Terms and Conditions document specific to the $20 billion Second... READ MORE

HHS launched a wide-ranging new CARES Act Provider Relief Fund Application User Guide website (“User Guide Website”) and nine‑page FAQ document to assist Providers with navigating the new Provider Relief Fund Payment Portal (“Payment Portal”) that went live on Friday, April 24. More information on the Payment Portal, the information Providers are required to... READ MORE

Friday, April 24 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.​ SBA Releases Guidance on the Paycheck Protection Program The Small Business Administration... READ MORE