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| 7/14/2020 @ 3:34:00 PM
Post 1 of 7
Contributor: Razee Ahmad, East Mississippi Medical Clinic RHC
CMS has recognized COVID 19 as Public Health Emergency ( PHE) and released COVID EMERGENCY DECLERATION BLANKET WAIVER FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS. What is the time limit for this blanket waiver if it is not extended further. Thank you Razee 7/17/2020 @ 4:17:00 PM
Post 2 of 7
Contributor: Bill Finerfrock, National Association of Rural Health Clinics - Retired
As a Technical matter, the Public Health Emergencies are declared by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and by the President of the United States. HHS Secretary Alex Azar declared a Public Health Emergency for the Coronavirus in January (effective January 27th). Subsequently, the President declared a National Public Health Emergency on March 13th. A Public Health Emergency is in effect for the duration of the emergency or 90 days, whichever his sooner. On April 21st (effective April 26th), the Secretary renewed the PHE Declaration for an additional 90 days. This means that it will expire on July 27th unless renewed again by the Secretary. The PHE grants sub-agencies (such as CMS) the authority to waive certain policies, regulations and laws to facilitate the delivery of care to individuals during the PHE. We expected that the Secretary will renew the PHE prior to it's expiration on the 27th. Also, some policy waivers exist on a 60 day authority and must be renewed every 60 days. Because there are multiple waivers in existence (some by CMS, some by HHS, some by Congress) it would be impractical list them all. If there is a specific waiver you want to know about, we would be happy to try to identify the granting authority (Congress, HHS or CMS) and the time period for the specific waiver. 7/21/2020 @ 12:55:00 PM
Post 3 of 7
Contributor: Ellen Maxwell, Crawford Memorial Hospital RHCs
Will the RHC ability to be the distant site and the patient home be the originating site end on July 27th
[A screenshot of a cell phone Description automatically generated] Ellen Maxwell Director, Clinic Systems Phone: 618-546-2581 1000 N. Allen Street Robinson IL 62454 [cid:image002.png@01D65F55.81D72DB0] [A picture containing drawing Description automatically generated] [A close up of a logo Description automatically generated] This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this e-mail in error please notify the originator of the message. This footer also confirms that this e-mail message has been scanned for the presence of computer viruses. Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender, except where the sender specifies and with authority, states them to be the views of Crawford Memorial Hospital. Scanning of this message and addition of this footer is performed by Barracuda Spam Firewall in conjunction with virus detection software. 7/21/2020 @ 2:46:00 PM
Post 4 of 7
Contributor: Bill Finerfrock, National Association of Rural Health Clinics - Retired
The authority for RHCs to be the distant site for telehealth visits and the ability of the patient to be at home for a telehealth visit are each tied to the Public Health Emergency (PHE). Both will cease when the PHE is lifted.
PHEs are generally approved in 90 day increments and the current authority is due to expire on July 27th. However, all indications are that the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) will renew the PHE prior to its expiration on the 27th. We expect that announcement soon. Bill Bill Finerfrock 202-544-1880 bf@capitolassociates.com 7/22/2020 @ 8:02:00 AM
Post 5 of 7
Contributor: Penny Hatmaker, Tennova La Follette Medical Center Clinic
When does the staffing waiver expire? I'm particularly interested in
staffing requirements for midlevel providers. -- Penny B. Hatmaker | Clinic Manager Tennova LaFollette Medical Center Clinics | 423-907-1608 | 423-907-1646 fax 7/22/2020 @ 8:14:00 AM
Post 6 of 7
Contributor: Bill Finerfrock, National Association of Rural Health Clinics - Retired
To what staffing waiver relative to "mid-level" providers are you referring?
Bill Bill Finerfrock 202-544-1880 bf@capitolassociates.com 7/22/2020 @ 8:21:00 AM
Post 7 of 7
Contributor: Julie Quinn, Health Services Associates
The staffing waiver is part of the overall waiver that will end with the
expiration of the PHE. See page 11 of the attached PDF. Bill Finerfrock discussed the PHE declaration and extension process earlier this week in this thread. To recap, we expect the current PHE to be extended prior to its current expiration date of July 27. I hope this helps! *Julie Quinn* Julie Quinn, MBA, CPA V.P. Compliance & Cost Reporting Health Services Associates Southeast Regional Office 54 Pheasant Lane Ringgold, GA 30736 ph: 231.250.0244 fax: 888.200.4788 On Wed, Jul 22, 2020 at 8:02 AM NARHC News wrote: > |
