Tag: public health emergency

LAFAYETTE, La. – Viemed Healthcare has published a study that shows non-invasive ventilation at home improves survival and decreases health care utilization in Medicare beneficiaries with COPD with chronic respiratory failure.  “This study is the first of its kind published in the U.S. and represents a significant milestone in our mission of educating the medical community on the benefits of NIVH,” said Casey Hoyt, Viemed CEO. “The data supports...

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has extended the public health emergency for another three months. On Jan. 7, HHS Secretary Alex Azar announced the extension of the PHE, which was set to expire Jan. 21. HHS extended the PHE, originally declared on Jan. 31, 2020, multiple times last year. There are several HME-related provisions tied to the PHE, including Medicare’s 75/25 blended reimbursement rates in non-rural, non-competitive bidding areas; and...

WASHNGTON - Alex Azar, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, has renewed the COVID-19 national public health emergency.The renewal is effective Oct. 23 for another 90 days. The PHE has been in place since Jan. 27.Several relief efforts related to HME are tied to the duration of the PHE, including:50/50 blended reimbursement rates for rural areas;75/25 blended reimbursement rates for non-rural, non-bid areas; andthe elimination of the coverage criteria and face-to-face requirements...

PITTSBURGH - Highmark Health recently expanded its Home Recovery Care program to two more hospitals in its network, boosted by the ongoing public health emergency that has increased the value of home care. HRC originally launched at Allegheny Health Network in late 2019 as part of a joint venture between the payer and Contessa; it provides inpatient care in the home through telemedicine, providers and Contessa's technology for coordinating care. “HRC gives us the opportunity to give individuals...

The Department of Health and Human Services last week declared public health emergencies in Louisiana and Texas due to Hurricane Laura, opening the door for CMS to then extend a number of waivers to health care providers. For medical equipment and supplies, CMS has suspended certain requirements necessary for Medicare beneficiaries who have lost or realized damage to their DME, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies as a result of the PHE…CMS has initiated a review of the national coverage determination...

WASHINGTON - CMS is proposing changes to expand telehealth permanently, following President Trump's signing of the “Executive Order on Improving Rural and Telehealth Access” on Aug. 3. In a 2021 Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule, CMS takes steps to extend the availability of certain telemedicine services after the public health emergency ends, giving Medicare beneficiaries more convenient ways to access health care, particularly in rural areas where access to providers may limited,...

WASHINGTON - Alex Azar, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, signed a renewal of the COVID-19 national public health emergency on Thursday. “The administration will continue its whole-of-America response to ensure Americans can get the care they need throughout the pandemic,” Azar tweeted on Thursday evening. The renewal is effective July 25 for 90 days.The PHE was first declared on Jan. 31 and renewed on April 21. Several relief efforts related to HME are tied to...

WASHINGTON - When program integrity activities resume on Aug. 3, CMS will not be auditing claims started during the public health emergency, industry stakeholders have learned.Both the van Halem Group and AAHomecare reported this week that the agency will focus its activities, at least initially, on claims started sometime prior to March 1.Stakeholders have also learned that CMS plans to take a phased approach to resuming reviews, starting with RAC audits and then moving to SMRC audits, both of which...

WASHINGTON - It appears the Department of Health and Human Services will extend the current public health emergency.Both AAHomecare and the VGM Group have pointed to a June 29 tweet posted by Michael Caputo, HHS assistant secretary for public affairs, that said: “HHS expects to renew the public health emergency due to COVID-19 before it expires. We have already renewed this PHE once.”HHS first put the PHE in place on Jan. 27. It renewed the PHE on April 26 for another 90 days.Renewing...

WASHINGTON - It appears the Department of Health and Human Services will extend the current public health emergency.Both AAHomecare and the VGM Group have pointed to a June 29 tweet posted by Michael Caputo, HHS assistant secretary for public affairs, that said: “HHS expects to renew the public health emergency due to COVID-19 before it expires. We have already renewed this PHE once.”HHS first put the PHE in place on Jan. 27. It renewed the PHE on April 26 for another 90 days.Renewing...