Provider Relief Fund tranche 2 distribution. This morning, Medicare providers received second-tranche payments from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) out of the Provider Relief Fund. The cover letters for the payments explain the calculation methodology. For this tranche, HHS paid each provider approximately 2% of their 2018 net patient revenue from all pay sources, as reported on their Medicare cost report, minus the first-tranche payment made two weeks ago. This resulted in providers receiving payments that differ, often significantly, from the amount they received under the first tranche. Both the year (2018 vs. 2019) and the revenue base (net patient revenue vs. Medicare fee-for-service revenue) varied. In some cases, providers received no payment under the second tranche because their first-tranche amount was greater than or equal to 2% of their net patient revenue.

Providers who receive payments in the second tranche must do two things: verify 2018 net patient revenue and accept the terms and conditions for receiving the money, both using this portal. If you believe you should have received a payment and did not, or have questions about the amount, contact HHS via phone at (866) 569-3522 or by email at HOSPITALCOVID19@hhs.gov. See also AHCA's frequently-asked questions document on the Provider Relief Fund payments. 

Also today, President Donald Trump signed the latest COVID-19 bill, which adds $75 billion to the Provider Relief Fund. It remains to be seen how that money, plus nearly $30 billion remaining from the original $100 billion allocation, will be distributed, although some portion of it will be earmarked for Medicaid providers.

Expanded PPE and testing availability. This morning, Medicaid Director Maureen Corcoran wrote to say that the state is starting to see progress in their efforts to procure personal protective equipment (PPE). She strongly urged providers to communicate their PPE needs to their county emergency management agency (EMA). The EMAs are the conduit through which the state distributes any PPE it acquires.

Separately, Governor Mike DeWine announced that the state reached arrangements with two Ohio manufacturers to increase the state's COVID-19 testing capacity. The agreements are with Thermo Fisher, to make reagent, and ROE Dental Laboratory, to make swabs. According to the Governor's release, these partnerships "will dramatically increase Ohio's ability to test in our priority areas, including nursing homes, hot spots, congregate living settings, food and grocery stores, and essential manufacturing facilities."

CMP money for communication devices. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is offering a civil money penalty reinvestment program for SNFs to purchase specified devices (e.g., iPads) and related materials to assist patients in communicating with family members and friends during the COVID-19 emergency. The program provides grants of up to $3,000. Please see the application form and frequently-asked questions for more on this new opportunity.

DODD download. The Department of Developmental Disabilities shared information from the 2018-19 National Core Indicators Survey, which include results from questions that are indicators of isolation and loneliness among people with developmental disabilities. Providers are encouraged to review the materials and make every effort to facilitate connections to families and friends during this crisis.

Assisted living positive case reporting. Matt Hobbs of the Department of Aging informed OHCA that in addition to reporting to the local health department, Assisted Living Waiver providers and assisted living providers under the MyCare Ohio Waiver with probable or confirmed COVID-19-positive residents or staff in their communities must notify the case managers/MyCare representatives for their waiver residents. This mandate derives from the existing rule requirement to notify the resident, their sponsor, and their case manager when there is a significant change. It includes positive cases that do not directly involve the waiver beneficiary.

CDC/ODH visits to SNFs. Over the past few weeks, teams from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Health Department have been visiting SNFs in Ohio. These teams initially went to centers with COVID-19 outbreaks and more recently started going to centers with no cases that may be able to model best practices. The visits are announced. Multiple OHCA members report that they have been positive experiences, as the teams' approach was consultative and directed at learning, not punitive.