Coronavirus update for Friday, May 22 as of 3:30 p.m.

Department of Health and Human Services

 

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

In the past week CMS issued seven section 1135 waivers to give states greater flexibility to serve their Medicaid beneficiaries during the COVID-19 public health emergency.  It issued three such waivers to Rhode Island, two to Texas, and one each to North Dakota and Virginia.

CMS Weekly Stakeholder Calls

COVID-19: Lessons from the Front Lines Calls — May 29

Friday, May 29 from 12:30 to 2 pm ET

These weekly calls are a joint effort between CMS Administrator Seema Verma, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Stephen Hahn, MD, and the White House Coronavirus Task Force. Physicians and other clinicians share their experiences, ideas, strategies, and insights related to their COVID-19 responses.  There is an opportunity to ask questions.

  • Conference lines are limited; CMS encourages interested parties to join via audio webcast
  • Or call 877-251-0301; Access Code: 6350189

COVID-19: Home Health and Hospice Call — May 26

3 to 3:30 pm ET

These calls provide targeted updates on the agency’s latest COVID-19 guidance.  Leaders in the field also share best practices.  There is an opportunity to ask questions if time allows.

To Participate:

  • Conference lines are limited; CMS encourages interested parties to join via audio webcast
  • Or call 833-614-0820; Access Passcode: 4666966

COVID-19: Office Hours Call — May 26

Tuesdays from 5 to 6 pm ET

Hospitals, health systems, and providers: Ask CMS questions about its temporary actions that enable providers to increase hospital capacity, expand the health care workforce, and promote telehealth.

To Participate:

  • Conference lines are limited; CMS encourages interested parties to join via audio webcast
  • Or call 833-614-0820; Access Passcode: 8977438

Target Audience: Hospitals, health systems, and providers.

COVID-19: Nursing Home Call — May 27

Wednesdays from 4:30 to 5 pm ET

These calls provide targeted updates on the agency’s latest COVID-19 guidance.  Leaders in the field also share best practices.  There is an opportunity to ask questions if time allows.

To Participate:

  • Conference lines are limited; CMS encourages interested parties to join via audio webcast
  • Or, call 833-614-0820; Access Passcode: 1243649

Target Audience: Nursing home providers.

COVID-19: Dialysis Organization Call — May 27

Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6 pm ET

These calls provide targeted updates on the agency’s latest COVID-19 guidance.  Leaders in the field also share best practices.  There is an opportunity to ask questions if time allows.

To Participate:

  • Conference lines are limited; CMS encourages interested parties to join via audio webcast
  • Or call 833-614-0820; Access Passcode: 6152699

Target Audience: Dialysis organizations.

COVID-19: Nurses Call — May 28

Thursdays from 3 to 3:30 pm ET

These calls provide targeted updates on the agency’s latest COVID-19 guidance.  Leaders in the field also share best practices.  There is an opportunity to ask questions if time allows.

To Participate:

  • Conference lines are limited; CMS encourages interested parties to join via audio webcast
  • Or call 833-614-0820; Access Passcode: 2988422

Target Audience: Nurses.

Prior Authorization Process and Requirements for Certain Outpatient Hospital Department Services Special Open Door Forum — May 28

Thursday, May 28 from 1:30 to 3 pm ET

CMS invites hospitals, physicians, practitioners, and other Medicare stakeholders to discuss the prior authorization of certain outpatient hospital department services from the following categories: blepharoplasty, botulinum toxin injections, panniculectomy, rhinoplasty, and vein ablation.

For More Information:

Participation Instructions:

  • Participant Dial-In Number: 888-455-1397
  • Conference ID #: 9375124

COVID-19: Lessons from the Front Lines Calls — May 29

Friday, May 29 from 12:30 to 2 pm ET

These weekly calls are a joint effort between CMS Administrator Seema Verma, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Stephen Hahn, MD, and the White House Coronavirus Task Force. Physicians and other clinicians share their experiences, ideas, strategies, and insights related to their COVID-19 responses.  There is an opportunity to ask questions.

  • Conference lines are limited; CMS encourages interested parties to join via audio webcast
  • Or call 877-251-0301; Access Code: 6350189

 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

 

Food and Drug Administration

 

Congressional Research Service

The Congressional Research Service has published a brief paper on COVID-19 and federal employment protections for work refusals.

Federal Funding Opportunities for Hospitals

The National Alliance of Safety-Net Hospitals has prepared a document that collects and presents in one place the various new federal funding opportunities for hospitals resulting from legislation addressing the COVID-19 public health emergency.  Find that document here.