Medicare accelerated advance payments. Today, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) declared that all Part A and Part B providers and suppliers are eligible for accelerated advance Medicare payments. This is a pre-existing program that allows providers to request an advance of their typical Medicare payments because of unusual circumstances. Instead of requiring each provider individually to demonstrate their own hardship, CMS is allowing all providers and suppliers (with certain exceptions) to request accelerated payments without an individualized justification because of the COVID-19 emergency. The advance payments must be repaid, but they allow providers to receive up to three months of Medicare revenue quickly. See this fact sheet for information about how to apply for accelerated advance payments.

Materials for stress and anxiety. We all know that COVID-19 not only creates risk of illness, it also creates stress on caregivers. They add the fear of the disease to the normal challenges of caring for others. Go to this folder to find helpful resources from the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, which were mentioned in Governor Mike DeWine's press conference today.

Continuous facemask use? Responding to a reporter during the press conference, Health Director Dr. Amy Acton said the department soon will ask SNFs to have workers wear facemasks at all times while on duty. Dr. Acton said this during a discussion of the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE). While a best practice, it may be difficult for SNFs and other long-term services and supports providers to implement until PPE becomes more widely available. Dr. Acton said this guidance will be disseminated through the provider associations, so we will let you know what comes of it. 

OHCA public policy efforts. In addition to working with the DeWine Administration to put in place solutions to address member concerns stemming from COVID-19, OHCA is having conversations with Ohio legislators about possible legislative action. We also are developing an 1135 waiver request to CMS. Typically, 1135 waivers are implemented by the states or directly by the federal government, but CMS's recent approval of a waiver requested by the Missouri Hospital Association indicates that associations also may apply.

CMS telehealth toolkit for SNFs. CMS released a toolkit to help SNFs utilize telehealth. This toolkit takes into consideration the recent telehealth expansions on a temporary and emergency basis under CMS's blanket 1135 waiver and the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act (first stimulus legislation).