Governor announces gradual re-opening. Governor Mike DeWine today unveiled a plan for partially re-opening businesses in Ohio. The first phase, as he discussed last week during his press conferences, begins Friday and includes, "medically necessary procedures that do not require an overnight stay in a healthcare facility or do not require inpatient hospital admission and minimizes use of personal protective equipment." Next, on May 4, will be manufacturing, distribution, and construction businesses and office environments that were closed under the stay-at-home order. Finally, on May 12, re-opening will extend to consumer, retail, and service businesses. All of these enterprises will have to adhere to "mandatory safety requirements for customers and employees." More information about the re-openings and the requirements is available on the state's Responsible Restart page. A sub-page lists the many businesses that will remain closed under the new direction. Responsible Restart does not address the health care re-opening, but a Governor's Office release lists, "regular doctor visits, well-care checks, well-baby visits, out-patient surgeries, imaging procedures, and diagnostic tests. Dental services and veterinary services may also proceed if a safe environment can be established." There is no relaxation of any requirements (e.g., visiting restrictions) that apply to long-term services and supports.
Updated COVID-19 infection control guidance for HHAs. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) revised Quality, Safety, and Oversight (QSO) letter 20-18-HHA, which gives guidance for home health agencies (HHAs) relative to infection control and prevention and COVID-19. Even though it is titled for home health agencies, the QSO also contains information about CMS waivers and regulations, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance for optimizing personal protective equipment, and return to work criteria for healthcare personnel with confirmed or suspected COVID-19. In addition to HHAs, hospices may find this memo of interest, as it includes recommendations for visitation in residential facilities not certified by Medicare (e.g., assisted and independent living communities).
CMS pulls back on Accelerated and Advance Payment Programs. CMS announced in a press release yesterday that they are re-evaluating the Accelerated Payment Program for Part A providers and suspending the Advance Payment Program for Part B suppliers. Together, these programs provided $100 billion in loans to 45,000 providers and suppliers. CMS took this action because Provider Relief Fund grants are available to Medicare providers. To CMS, these grants take the place of accelerated and advance payments but do not have to be repaid. CMS will not take additional applications for advance payments and will consider Provider Relief Fund disbursements to a provider when reviewing its application for accelerated payments.
DODD information: ICF providers, please note that the deadline for submitting 2019 cost reports is tomorrow, April 28, 2020. If you are experiencing extended hardship because of COVID-19, you may request a final extension to May 15, 2020. This request should be sent via email to ashley.mckinney@dodd.ohio.gov and must include the ICF's name and Medicaid provider number, along with an explanation of the need for further extension. Also, the Department of Developmental Disabilities announced that no further 2019-2020 National Core Indicators in-person surveys will be conducted.
Universal testing in Lucas County. The Toledo-Lucas County Health Department notified providers of a joint effort by the northwest Ohio regional hospital coalition to offer COVID-19 testing for all residents and staff (symptomatic and asymptomatic) of long-term care facilities in Lucas County this week. It is not clear which types of facilities are included, but the department indicated it emailed letters about the program to all administrators. The letters include contact information for Quest Diagnostics, which will supply and analyze the test kits, and the department. While this testing program is not required, we strongly recommend taking advantage of it to protect and care for your residents.
OHCA associate member has current stock of N95s and other PPE. Angel Care has current stock of N95s, KN95s, and disposable masks at competitive prices. While their current N95 inventory is less than 500, providers can purchase a box of 20 N95s for $260 or $13/mask. Current inventory is also available for KN95s at $5/mask and 3-ply disposable masks at $.99 each. Additional N95s and KN95s are in the pipeline. Please contact Kristin Carpenter at 1-855-953-1833 or kristin@angelcaremedicalltc.com to learn more.
AHCA seeking stories of recovery. AHCA requests stories about staff members or individuals served who recovered from COVID-19 while in long-term services and supports. They established a special email box for members to report these stories. The plan is to use some of these stories in media outreach to show how members are successfully battling COVID-19. When responding to the email box, please include: name of provider and location; point of contact – name, title, email address, phone number; the story itself; and confirmation that AHCA/NCAL may reference the story publicly in the media.