Coronavirus (Covid-19) Information for Hospice Providers

NEW & NATIONAL

NEW

• Quality Safety & Oversight Memo QSO-21-11-ALL  New Platform for Submissions of 1135 Waiver Requests and Inquiries
• CMS 1135 Waiver December 1, 2020
• The following letter affects Inpatient Hospice providers: GL 20-1011-A-2 Emergency Hospital Off Site Facilities in Response to COVID 19 (amended)
• COVID Vaccine Information for Hospices
• CDC Updates COVID-19 Quarantine Guidance
• COVID 19 Vaccine Allocation Guiding Principles and Health Care Workers Definition
• HSC Publishes Infection Control Basics & PPE Training for Essential Caregivers
• HHSC Publishes Guidance for Activities, Dining, and Volunteers for Hospice Inpatient Units (PL 20-54)
• HHSC Publishes Influenza Guidance During COVID-19 for HCSSA Providers (PL 20-52)
• Process to Request Free COVID-19 Point of Care Antigen Test Kits (PL 20-49)
• HHSC Publishes PL 20-44 COVID-19 Response – Expansion of Reopening Visitation for NF Providers HHSC has published Provider Letter 20-44, COVID-19 Response – Expansion of Reopening Visitation for nursing facilities. This letter replaces Provider Letter 20-38. This letter describes the process for requesting the required limited indoor and outdoor visitation as well as the requirements for essential caregiver visits.

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WAIVERS:

Coalition of Hospice Organizations Seek Support from Congress

CMS Hospice Waiver

CMS Blanket Waivers for All Health Care Providers

Federal-1135-Waiver-FAQs-032520

Medicare Fee-For-Service Additional Emergency and Disaster-Related Policies and Procedures That May Be Implemented Only With a § 1135 Waiver

Medicare Fee-For-Service Emergency-Related Policies and Procedures That May Be Implemented Without § 1135 Waivers

HIPAA Waiver

 

Palmetto GBA:

Cost Reporting Extensions

COVID-19 Accelerated/Advance Payment Request

 

CMS:

CMS QSO-20-39-NH Nursing Home Visitation – COVID-19

QSO 20-38-NH Interim Final Rule (IFC), CMS-3401-IFC, Additional Policy and Regulatory Revisions in Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency related to Long-Term Care (LTC) Facility Testing Requirements and Revised COVID19 Focused Survey Tool

QSO-20-35-ALL  — Enforcement Cases Held during the Prioritization Period and Revised Survey Prioritization

QSO-20-30-NH  Nursing Home Reopening Recommendations for State and Local Officials 

Employee Return to Work For Healthcare Personnel With Confirmed or Suspected COVID 19

CMS Emergency Update Information: To keep current on all emergencies, CMS Guidance and updates

CMS Coronavirus (COVID-19) Partner Toolkit

CMS Announces Relief for Clinicians, Providers, Hospitals and Facilities Participating in Quality Reporting Programs in Response to COVID-19

QSO-20-20-All Prioritization of Survey Activities

QSO-20-16 – CMS Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention Concerning Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) by Hospice Agencies

QSO-20-14-NH – Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in nursing homes (REVISED)

QSO-20-12–ALL – Suspension of Survey Activities

QSO-20-17-ALL – Guidance for use of Certain Industrial Respirators by Health Care Personnel

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This is a Federal Government must for all providers as part of emergency preparedness plans etc.

TRACIE Emergency Preparedness Information Gateway

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FEMA: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: Eligible Protective Measures

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Centers for Disease Control:

• CDC:  N95 and Other Respirators
• CDC:  Proper N95 Respirator Use for Respiratory Protection Preparedness 
• COVID-19: How to Prepare Yourself
• PPE Strategy
• PPE Strategy – Face Masks
• Guidance on Post-Mortem Specimens

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U.S. Dept of Labor: COVID-19 or Other Public Health Emergencies and the Family and Medical Leave Act Questions and Answers

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OSHA

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HIPAA

2020 – NHPCO’s “Quick Guide to Virtual Care”  

Telehealth and HIPAA during the COVID-19

HHS: HIPAA – Discretion Regarding Telehealth

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CARES Act Information

FAQS ABOUT FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT AND CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY ACT IMPLEMENTATION PART 43

Coalition of Hospice Organizations Seek Support from Congress

 

Ancillary National Resources

 

Office of Civil Rights:  Ensuring the Rights of Persons with Limited English Proficiency in Health Care During COVID-19

Small Business Administration FAQ on Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

C-TAC: Coronavirus Resource Hub