Fact Sheets18 posts

Courtesy of The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care Consumer Voice is pleased to release a new publication, COVID-19 and Nursing Homes:  What Residents and Families Need to Know.  This consumer fact sheet is designed to inform both residents and their families about steps the federal government has taken to reduce the spread of the virus, what nursing homes should be doing to prevent and control COVID-19, actions residents/families can take to promote safe care, visitation, and more.

Courtesy of The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care The most recent CMS guidance (QSO-20-20-ALL) issued March 23, 2020 further restricts the surveys that can be conducted by State Survey Agencies (SSAs). CMS is suspending certain surveys and only conducting revisits when Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) is cited.SurveysBeginning March 20th for a three-week period (referred to as the “prioritization period”), CMS is prioritizing and only conducting the following surveys:

Courtesy of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is responsible for the Medicare and Medicaid Programs. As part of that responsibility, CMS develops and enforces the essential health and safety standards that health care providers must meet in order to participate in the programs. In other words, providers must comply with federal standards as a requirement to receive federal reimbursement through those Programs.

Courtesy of Justice in Aging In response to COVID-19 concerns, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has made significant changes to its operations and policies. As of Tuesday, March 17, local SSA offices are closed to the public indefinitely. SSA is also extending their deadlines for filing wherever possible. The agency is also regularly posting information about how the pandemic is affecting its services.

Effective immediately, anyone uninsured and eligible to enroll in health care coverage through Covered California can sign up through the end of June.The Department of Health Care Services announces new steps to help those eligible for Medi-Cal sign up easily and get immediate coverage.The moves come amid widespread disruption in the lives and livelihoods of Californians as public health officials seek to reduce the spread of COVID-19.All medically necessary screening and testing for COVID-19 are free of charge, and all health plans available through Medi-Cal and Covered California offer telehealth options.These actions build on increased state subsidies and the implementation of a state penalty, both of which took effect in January 2020.

Distributed by Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) posted additional Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to the Medicaid.gov website to aid state Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) agencies in their response to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.  CMS is taking this action in its continuing efforts to protect the health and safety of providers and patients, including those who are covered by Medicaid and CHIP.

Medicare has temporarily expanded its coverage of telehealth services to respond to COVID-19. Medicare beneficiaries can temporarily use telehealth services for common office visits, mental health counseling and preventive health screenings. This will help ensure Medicare beneficiaries are able to visit with their doctor from their home, without having to go to a doctor’s office or hospital, which puts themselves and others at risk.   If you have an existing healthcare appointment, or think you need to see your doctor, please call them first to see if your appointment can be conducted over a smartphone with video capability or any device using video technology, like a tablet or a laptop.

Provided by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) In the event of an infectious disease outbreak, local officials may require the public to take measures to limit and control the spread of the disease.  This tip sheet provides information about social distancing, quarantine, and isolation.  The government has the right to enforce federal and state laws related to public health if people within the country get sick with highly contagious diseases that have the potential to develop into outbreaks or pandemics.