Coronavirus update for Wednesday, June 10 as of 3:00 p.m.

Department of Health and Human Services

On Tuesday HHS announced that it will be distributing $15 billion to clinicians and facilities that participate in state Medicaid and CHIP programs and/or Medicaid and CHIP managed care organizations that have not yet received any general distribution grants from the Provider Relief Fund.

This funding is intended to supply relief to Medicaid and CHIP providers experiencing lost revenues or increased expenses due to COVID-19.  Examples of providers serving Medicaid/CHIP beneficiaries that may be eligible for this funding include pediatricians, obstetrician-gynecologists, dentists, opioid treatment and behavioral health providers, assisted living facilities, and other home and community-based services providers.

Providers that believe they may be eligible for this funding may submit their annual patient revenue information to a new provider relief portal to seek a distribution equal to at least two percent of their reported gross revenues from patient care; that portal is supposed to be established today but was not up at the time this update was written.

Learn more from:

• HHS’s news release announcing this distribution;
• its Provider Relief Fund web page;
• its Provider Relief Fund general information page; and
• its CARES Act Provider Relief Fund FAQ, which has been updated more than two dozen times in the past 48 hours to reflect changes related to yesterday’s announced distributions (additions and modifications are marked within this FAQ).

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

• CMS has published recommendations for health care providers reopening facilities to provide non-emergency non-COVID-19 services.
• CMS has published a guide with information about what patients should know about seeking health care as health care providers begin restoring services.

Food and Drug Administration

• The FDA approved an abbreviated new drug application for succinylcholine chloride injection USP 200 mg/10 mL, which is indicated in addition to general anesthesia to facilitate tracheal intubation and to provide skeletal muscle relaxation during surgery or mechanical ventilation.
• The FDA has issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the first COVID-19 diagnostic test using next generation sequence technology.
• The FDA has issued an EUA for a new commercial diagnostic test for COVID-19.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• The CDC has updated its brochure on the use of personal protective equipment when caring for patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19.
• The CDC has updated its resources for laboratories.
• The CDC has updated its FAQ about COVID-19 for laboratories.
• The CDC has updated its guidance for health care facilities with recommendations and resources.

Federal Funding Opportunities for Hospitals

• NASH has prepared a document that collects and presents in one place the various new federal funding opportunities for hospital resulting from legislation addressing the COVID-19 public health emergency.  Find that document here.

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