In brief: CMS expands telehealth further, stops Advance Payment Program

WASHINGTON - CMS has made another round of changes to support health care providers during the coronavirus pandemic, including expanding telehealth further and opening up access to continuous glucose monitors.

Among the expansions related to telehealth:

• CMS is allowing physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech therapist to provide telehealth services.
• CMS is waiving the video requirement for certain telephone evaluation and management services, opening the door for Medicare beneficiaries to use an audio-only telephone to get telehealth services.
• CMS is changing its process of adding new services to the list of Medicare services that may be furnished via telehealth to a sub-regulatory vs. a rulemaking process, allowing the agency to consider requests by practitioners now learning to use telehealth as broadly as possible.

Non-telehealth related changes include CMS not enforcing certain clinical criteria in the LCDs that limit access to therapeutic continuous glucose monitors for beneficiaries with diabetes, giving clinicians greater flexibility to allow more of their diabetic patients to monitor their glucose and adjust insulin doses at home.

For a full list of changes, go here.

CMS stops Advance Payment Program
WASHINGTON - CMS has suspended its Advance Payment Program to Part B providers and has stopped accepting new applications for the program as of April 26.

Additionally, CMS is re-evaluating the amounts that will be paid under its Accelerated Payment Program, as well as all pending and new applications for accelerated payments.

The agency made the announcement following the successful payment of more than $100 billion to health care providers through these programs and in light of the $175 billion recently appointed for health care provider relief payments.

Since expanding the programs on March 28, CMS has approved more than 24,000 applications advancing $40.4 billion in payments for Part B providers.

CMS says funding will continue to be available for hospitals and other health care providers on the front lines of the coronavirus response, primarily from the Provider Relief Fund.

Congress appropriated $100 billion in the CARES Act and $75 billion through the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act for health care providers. HHS is distributing this money through the Provider Relief Fund.

Second tranche of CARES Act funding starts

HHS has begun distributing the remaining $20 billion of the $50 billion in relief funding available to hospitals and providers as part of the national response to the coronavirus pandemic, VGM and AAHomecare report. The funding is part of the $100 billion in relief funding called for in the CARES Act. The first $30 billion was delivered between April 10-17 to Medicare providers that received payments in 2019. The second $20 billion will be delivered to providers based on 2018 net patient revenue. HHS has automatically started distributing funds to providers that have submitted cost reporting data to CMS. Those that do not submit a cost report need to apply for additional funding through the General Distribution Portal.

BOC to offer remote proctored testing in 2020
OWINGS MILLS, Md. - The Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC) has launched a new remote testing option. Beginning in early June 2020, candidates can complete their certificate exams from the safety of their homes or offices. This COVID-sensitive testing option is a joint offering from BOC and its exam delivery partner, PSI. BOC planned to add remote proctored testing as an option later in 2020, but due to the temporary closure of many testing centers during the pandemic, it fast tracked the project.

NHIF, NHIA present awards
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The National Home Infusion Foundation has announced that Stacey Jensen, RN, BSN, MBA/HCM, is the recipient of its 2020 Lynn Giglione Women in Leadership Award. The award recognizes and honors trail-blazing and emerging women leaders who have demonstrated exemplary service to patients and their peers, while promoting the mission of NHIF. Jensen is COO of Optum Infusion Pharmacy and served on the inaugural board of the NHIF�The National Home Infusion Association has announced that Lisa Sackuvich, RN, BSN, CRNI, is the recipient of its 2020 Gene Graves Lifetime Achievement Award. The award recognizes those that embody energy, innovative spirit, leadership and commitment to home infusion patients and quality care. Sackuvich is the owner and president of ARJ Infusion Services.

NCPA launches two campaigns
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The National Community Pharmacists Association has launched Fight4Rx to alert patients to the growing risk that their neighborhood pharmacy may close, not because of the coronavirus pandemic but because of what it calls “excessive profiteering.” The group says PMBs contribute to higher costs for patients, limit pharmacy choice and, in some cases, deny coverage for needed medications. “PBM policies are a leading reason why pharmacies have been closing at a rate of more than 75 per month for the last two years,” said B. Douglas Hoey, president of the NCPA. “It's clear our patients have as much at stake as we do. So we're alerting our patients, our neighbors who rely on us for better health.” The NCPA launched Fight4Rx to engage patients by making it easy for them to contact their elected representatives and to spread the word in their communities�The NCPA has also launched a “Your Neighbor” national media campaign to honor pharmacists on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic. “Pharmacies are the most frequent point of care for most Americans,” said Brian Caswell, owner of Wolkar Drug in Kansas and president of the NCPA. “Local pharmacists see many more patients on a daily basis than any other health care provider and that's especially true now. They and their employees are leaning straight into this national emergency and taking care of their neighbors.” The campaign will feature testimonials from patients of neighborhood pharmacies.

Ty Bello, Joey Graham launch podcast
YARMOUTH, Maine - Ty Bello and Prochant's Joey Graham have teamed up on a two-part podcast on “Navigating the New Normal.” Part 1 of the podcast will review managing financials, participating in education and industry events, supporting and serving a team and working from home; Part 2 will review implementing an operating system, tapping into resources, looking for opportunities and developing a strategy. Earlier this year, Bello and Graham teamed up on a white paper on “2021 & Beyond: From Surviving to Thriving.” They have updated that information for a post-COVID-19 world. Register for the podcast here.

Short takes: AAHomecare, CAIRE, RESNA
AAHomecare is accepting nominations for four open positions on its board of directors. To be nominated, you must be an AAHomecare member in good standing. Board members are expected to be available to other members to answer questions about the association's activities and to recruit new members. Email nominations to Sue Mairena at suem@aahomecare.org�CAIRE's FreeStyle Comfort portable oxygen concentrator is now available in China. The Ball Ground, Ga.-based company will distribute the FreeStyle through its Chengdu facility. It's CAIRE's third release of the FreeStyle since it launched the POC in the U.S. in 2018�RESNA has extended the deadline for nominations for its annual awards to May 8, 2020. The group's board of directors seeks to recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the field of assistive technology and rehab engineering or to RESNA.

Ames Walker pivots manufacturing to masks
ASHEBORO, N.C. - Ames Walker has pivoted some knitting machines from making socks to making masks. The company says it has the capability to produce more than 1 million masks per week. “While we remain committed to our customer's compression stocking needs, we felt it was our duty to further protect our customers because they look to us as a trusted source for products,” said Ryan Zell, co-owner and president. “Our customers' health and satisfaction is our No. 1 priority, and we are glad that we're able to step up and be a resource to meet their needs during this outbreak.” The Ames Walker Protective Masks are double-ply knit from a nylon/spandex blend and treated with a hydrophobic finish designed to repel moisture.

WellSky, Qlik launch 'heat map'
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - WellSky and Qlik, a data and analytics company, have launched a “heat map” feature for home care providers. The WellSky COVID-19 Tracker allows providers to leverage data to track current outbreaks, anticipate locations with increasing infection rates and distribute valuable PPE based on where it's needed most. “With information changing daily, care providers need up-to-date data on where they should focus their attention and finite resources,” said Bill Miller, CEO of WellSky. “WellSky and Qlik's new coronavirus heat map will help providers make smarter, more informed decisions throughout the public health crisis.” WellSky and Qlik's technology harnesses clinical staff zip code data supplied by client agencies to compare staff locations against confirmed COVID-19 cases across the U.S. Medical Services of America, a WellSky client, is in the process of beta testing the new “heat map” across its home health and hospice locations throughout the U.S. The company provides home health, hospice, HME and more. “Traditionally, home health has not been an industry that previously used a lot of N95 masks and related protective supplies,” said Christina Smith, RN, BSN, MSN, corporate staff development coordinator for MSA's home health and hospice teams. “But now we need quadruple the amount of the PPE that we needed before. With technology that tells us which geographic areas have outbreaks and whether our staff are located in those areas, we can make better PPE allocation decisions.”

Dario Health expands remote care
NEW YORK - Dario Health has partnered with MediOrbis to expand the service offering for its blood glucose monitoring system with a full suite of telemedicine capabilities for its 50,000 active users. With Dario's most recent app, users may now access a full complement of physician-directed patient care from home and other remote locations, a capability it says is necessary in the new reality of “stay at home.” “This partnership broadens Dario's SaaS-based service offering by delivering on-demand access to physicians who can not only help treat acute illness but also provide care for chronic medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension,” said Rick Anderson, DarioHealth's president and general manager. “As we seek complementary offerings to create complete business-to-business (B2B) health care solutions for remote care, now in high demand and perhaps the future standard, we believe we have a strong partner in MediOrbis.” The MediOrbis platform delivers easily accessible remote health care to patients worldwide through the MySpecialistMD network composed of primary care, specialty care and sub-specialty care physicians on a telemedicine technology platform.

AAH expands COVID resources
WASHINGTON - AAHomecare has added a Third-Party & MCO Tracking Resource page to its website as a repository for policy changes from major third-party payers during the coronavirus pandemic. The changes are available in a scrollable format on the website or through spreadsheets. Payers included: Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, CareCentrix, Centene, Excellus BCBS, Humana, Molina Healthcare of Michigan and UnitedHealthCare. This new resource joins a COVID-19 Resources & Guidance page, and a Medicaid COVID-19 Provider Resources and Medicaid Waivers page.

NCPA urges other states to follow New York's lead
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The National Community Pharmacists Association, which represents more than 21,000 independent pharmacies across the country, lauds New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo for authorizing independent pharmacies to serve as COVID-19 test centers. “We are deeply grateful to Gov. Cuomo for enlisting independent pharmacies in the fight against the pandemic,” said CEO B. Douglas Hoey. “Local pharmacies in New York and every state have been fighting for the authority to do testing because they know their patients and their communities, and the country needs them to have that capacity. We strongly urge other states to follow Gov. Cuomo's leadership.” The NCPA notes that independent pharmacies have expanded home deliveries, and drive-thru and curbside service, as well as compounded hand sanitizer for first responders and their patient. “Most importantly, they are protecting patient access to necessary medicines during this national health crisis,” Hoey said. “Independent pharmacies are a vital part of the health care system and they have the potential to conduct diagnostic and antibody testing.”

ACHC cleared ahead of new requirement
CARY, N.C. - CMS has recognized the Accreditation Commission for Health Care as a national accrediting organization for home infusion therapy providers through 2024. The decision gives ACHC deeming authority to conduct surveys that meet or exceed Medicare requirements, including new reimbursement rules mandated by the 21st Century Cures Act. The act requires that, beginning Jan. 1, home infusion therapy suppliers seeking Medicare reimbursement must be accredited by an approved accredited like ACHC. ACHC Home Infusion Therapy Accreditation looks at the education, assessment, medication review and development of the plan of care provided by a nurse or healthcare professional during a home visit. Educational resources, including crosswalks that detail all standards changes and FAQs, are available to help organizations meet the new requirements.

Regence, Option Care expand partnership due crisis
BANNOCKBURN, Ill. - An expanded partnership offers Regence Health Plan members who currently receive their infusion therapy services in a hospital outpatient setting the ability to transition care to their home or an Option Care Health Infusion Suite. The partnership, which builds on Regence's existing Site of Care program, helps address changing needs during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing for greater flexibility for hospitals, physicians and patients who rely on infusion therapies for a wide variety of acute and chronic needs, from nutrition support and immune disorders to infections and neurologic conditions. “Infusion provided safely and effectively at home or an infusion suite is more vital to our nation's health system and patients than every before,” said John Rademacher, president and CEO of Option Care Health. “As we face this public health crisis, it is critical that we work together to continue delivering trusted clinical care that expands the overall capacity of our health care system.” Regence is a family of health plans in Oregon, Idaho, Utah and select counties in Washington, each an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.