Updated June 5, 2020
This has been a long week in many ways. Let’s hope the weekend brings some calm back to our neighborhoods and hope for change and justice. The Dow Jones ended the week on a high note. It was up 829 points. The main reason was that the U.S. economy added 2.5 million jobs last month. The numbers were a huge surprise to the upside. This is good news that the economy is coming back. However, the World Health Organization warned that the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over and new cases are on the rise. Let’s all be safe when out and about and not let our guards down.
For movies to watch I am adding a documentary “King In The Wilderness” (Dr. King).
Updated June 2, 2020: COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) Billing
Pay special attention to these sections that were updated on May 27, 2020: Section E (Hospital Services), Section F (IPPS Payment under the CARES Act), Section L (Medicare Telehealth), and Section T (General Billing).
New COVID-19 FAQs on Medicare Fee-for-Service Billing – CMS released additional FAQs on recent COVID-19-related waivers to help providers, including physicians, hospitals, and RHCs. Find more on: outpatient therapy, telehealth, appropriate coding, and FQHCs.
NOVITAS Solutions: May 2020 top claim submission errors
The May 2020 Part A top claim submission errors and resolutions for Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania are now available. Please take time to review these errors and avoid them on future claims.
On June 1, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services revised the article to add a section on clarification for using the “CR” modifier and “DR” condition code. All other information remains the same.
COVID-19 pandemic causes 42% drop in ER visits nationwide
Visits to hospital U.S. emergency rooms have dropped by more than 40 percent so far in 2020, compared to the same period last year, according to figures released Wednesday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Pennsylvania: COVID-19 aid to Pa. health-care providers
The federal government has awarded more than $2 billion in coronavirus relief to health care providers, universities, and other entities headquartered in Pa. Here is a list of grants received by each entity.
Pennsylvania: More Pa. counties can enter ‘green’ phase Friday, Gov. Wolf’s office says
The coronavirus shutdown is ending in three rolling phases. The remaining 10 red-phase counties, including the Philadelphia region, are expected to go yellow by June 5. Also Friday, 16 counties, including the Pittsburgh area, move to the green phase.
New Jersey: New Jersey to enter Stage 2 of reopening plan on June 15 amid COVID-19 pandemic
Delaware: PPEC 1135 Wavier Updates
In response to COVID-19, the Delaware Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA) has been approved for an 1135 Medicaid Waiver. Effective for any child that was authorized and receiving Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care (PPEC) services on March 1, 2020 through the end of the public health emergency.
Delaware: Delaware announces plan to move into Phase II of economic reopening
Governor John Carney has announced Delaware’s Phase II economic restart will begin, in earnest, on Monday, June 15.
But it’s really a rolling restart that includes the June 8 reopenings of businesses like tattoo shops, massage parlors and nail care businesses just to name three.
Those establishments can open their doors on the 8th at 30% capacity by appointment only.
Virginia: What’s the Phase 2 plan for restaurants, gyms, pools and retail in Virginia?
The Phase Two guidance instructs all employers to screen their employees for COVID-19 before shifts. All employers are also asked to limit the occupancy of their workplaces to ensure physical distancing by encouraging telework whenever possible and staggering shifts.
Host: HFMA New Jersey | June 10, 2020 | 9:00 am to 11:00 am
The Revenue Integrity Forum of the NJ HFMA cordially invites you to join our virtual education session: COVID-19: What You Need to Know Now, And What’s Possibly to Come
Upcoming Webinar: NJ/Metro Philadelphia HFMA Data Analytics Session One
Host: HFMA Philadelphia/New Jersey | June 16, 2020 12:00 PM
In this session learn how to combine raw data from the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) COVID-19 projection model with the NY Times GitHub data along with several other sources to build a comprehensive projection model using Get Data and PowerPivot capabilities in Excel. Attendees will learn how to extract, transform and load daily data into the model in addition to visualization depictions and advanced Excel techniques.
Upcoming Webinar: 2020 Lunch and Learn Webinar Series
Host: New Jersey HFMA
Upcoming Webinar: Work From Home Strategies and Dealing with a Remote Workforce
Host: HFMA Region 3 | June 18, 2020 at 1:00 pm
With the right policies and technology solutions, work-from-home programs can improve employee satisfaction and retention, as well as increase productivity. By attending this session, attendees will learn the key steps for successful work-from-home programs, effective technologies for a seamless employee experience and lessons learned from Parallon, who has previously deployed a remote workforce.
Upcoming Webinar: [Save the Date] I will be the speaker! Topic: TBD
Host: Keystone PA AAHAM | June 23, 2020
Upcoming Webinar: [SAVE THE DATE] Lunch & Learn Wednesday Webinars
Host: Three Rivers AAHAM | Every Wednesday in June from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
June 10: REFERENCE-BASED PRICING
June 17: Impact on Covid-19 and Medicaid
July 15: Ask the Attorney
Upcoming Webinar: 2020 HFMA Annual Institute
Host: HFMA | June 24 & 26 – July 15 & 17 – August 12 & 14
The industry’s heroic response to COVID-19 has strengthened cross-departmental collaboration and ignited innovation. But those actions are not without cost. Hospitals, health systems and physician groups continue to face extraordinary revenue losses, surging expenses and immense challenges to delivering clinical care.
Join us for this 6-day virtual educational experience, where you’ll hear expert advice on weathering the storm, leveraging the silver linings and looking toward a sustainable future.
Upcoming Webinar: Navigating the Basics of Medicare
Monday, June, 08, 2020 | 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm
Upcoming Webinar: Journey Through the Novitas and CMS Websites
Tuesday, June, 09, 2020 | 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm.
Upcoming Webinar: Navigating Part A Medicare Billing
Wednesday, June, 10, 2020 | 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Upcoming Webinar: Prior Authorization (PA) Program for Certain Hospital Outpatient Department Services
Thursday, June, 11, 2020 | 10:00 am – 11:30 am