Coronavirus update for Friday, May 22 as of 3:30 p.m.

Department of Health and Human Services

• HHS has updated its CARES Act Provider Relief Fund page, adding a new section on allocations for skilled nursing facilities.
• That new section is the foundation for HHS’s announcement that it has begun distributing nearly $4.9 billion in relief funds to skilled nursing facilities to help them respond to the effects of COVID-19. Each SNF will receive a fixed distribution of $50,000 plus $2500 per bed.  All certified SNFs with six or more certified beds are eligible for this targeted distribution.
• HHS has updated its CARES Act Provider Relief Fund FAQ, adding several new questions and answers about reporting for related entities (see pages 11 and 12).

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

• In the past week CMS issued seven section 1135 waivers to give states greater flexibility to serve their Medicaid beneficiaries during the COVID-19 public health emergency.  It issued three such waivers to Rhode Island, two to Texas, and one each to North Dakota and Virginia.

CMS Weekly Stakeholder Calls

COVID-19: Lessons from the Front Lines Calls — May 29

Friday, May 29 from 12:30 to 2 pm ET

These weekly calls are a joint effort between CMS Administrator Seema Verma, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Stephen Hahn, MD, and the White House Coronavirus Task Force. Physicians and other clinicians share their experiences, ideas, strategies, and insights related to their COVID-19 responses.  There is an opportunity to ask questions.

• Conference lines are limited; CMS encourages interested parties to join via audio webcast
• Or call 877-251-0301; Access Code: 6350189

COVID-19: Home Health and Hospice Call — May 26

3 to 3:30 pm ET

These calls provide targeted updates on the agency’s latest COVID-19 guidance.  Leaders in the field also share best practices.  There is an opportunity to ask questions if time allows.

To Participate:

• Conference lines are limited; CMS encourages interested parties to join via audio webcast
• Or call 833-614-0820; Access Passcode: 4666966

COVID-19: Office Hours Call — May 26

Tuesdays from 5 to 6 pm ET

Hospitals, health systems, and providers: Ask CMS questions about its temporary actions that enable providers to increase hospital capacity, expand the health care workforce, and promote telehealth.

To Participate:

• Conference lines are limited; CMS encourages interested parties to join via audio webcast
• Or call 833-614-0820; Access Passcode: 8977438

Target Audience: Hospitals, health systems, and providers.

COVID-19: Nursing Home Call — May 27

Wednesdays from 4:30 to 5 pm ET

These calls provide targeted updates on the agency’s latest COVID-19 guidance.  Leaders in the field also share best practices.  There is an opportunity to ask questions if time allows.

To Participate:

• Conference lines are limited; CMS encourages interested parties to join via audio webcast
• Or, call 833-614-0820; Access Passcode: 1243649

Target Audience: Nursing home providers.

COVID-19: Dialysis Organization Call — May 27

Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6 pm ET

These calls provide targeted updates on the agency’s latest COVID-19 guidance.  Leaders in the field also share best practices.  There is an opportunity to ask questions if time allows.

To Participate:

• Conference lines are limited; CMS encourages interested parties to join via audio webcast
• Or call 833-614-0820; Access Passcode: 6152699

Target Audience: Dialysis organizations.

COVID-19: Nurses Call — May 28

Thursdays from 3 to 3:30 pm ET

These calls provide targeted updates on the agency’s latest COVID-19 guidance.  Leaders in the field also share best practices.  There is an opportunity to ask questions if time allows.

To Participate:

• Conference lines are limited; CMS encourages interested parties to join via audio webcast
• Or call 833-614-0820; Access Passcode: 2988422

Target Audience: Nurses.

Prior Authorization Process and Requirements for Certain Outpatient Hospital Department Services Special Open Door Forum — May 28

Thursday, May 28 from 1:30 to 3 pm ET

CMS invites hospitals, physicians, practitioners, and other Medicare stakeholders to discuss the prior authorization of certain outpatient hospital department services from the following categories: blepharoplasty, botulinum toxin injections, panniculectomy, rhinoplasty, and vein ablation.

For More Information:

• Final rule
• Prior Authorization webpage: Presentation materials posted prior to the call
• Find more information here

Participation Instructions:

• Participant Dial-In Number: 888-455-1397
• Conference ID #: 9375124

COVID-19: Lessons from the Front Lines Calls — May 29

Friday, May 29 from 12:30 to 2 pm ET

These weekly calls are a joint effort between CMS Administrator Seema Verma, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Stephen Hahn, MD, and the White House Coronavirus Task Force. Physicians and other clinicians share their experiences, ideas, strategies, and insights related to their COVID-19 responses.  There is an opportunity to ask questions.

• Conference lines are limited; CMS encourages interested parties to join via audio webcast
• Or call 877-251-0301; Access Code: 6350189

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• The CDC has updated its guidance about the diagnosis, evaluation, infection prevention and control practices, and disposition of neonates with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 or known COVID-19 exposure, including birth to a mother with confirmed or suspected COVID-19.
• The CDC has updated its web page on serology testing.

Food and Drug Administration

• The FDA has updated its temporary policy for the compounding of certain drugs for hospitalized patients by outsourcing facilities during the COVID-19 emergency.
• The FDA has approved the use of dexmedetomidine hydrochloride for treating initially intubated and mechanically ventilated patients during treatment in an intensive care setting and sedation of non-intubated patients prior to and/or during surgical and other procedures.
• The FDA has issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the use of a sterilizer to decontaminate compatible N95 respirators for single-user reuse by health care personnel.
• The FDA has issued EUAs for four additional commercial diagnostic tests for COVID-19. Find those EUAs here, here, here, and here.

Congressional Research Service

• The Congressional Research Service has published a brief paper on COVID-19 and federal employment protections for work refusals.