UPDATED: Tuesday, May 26, at 3:12 p.m.

HHS Inspector General plans to examine CARES Act funding and Strategic National Stockpile

A federal watchdog agency has 14 projects underway to track the Trump administration's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General plans to audit the distribution of $50 billion to healthcare providers as part of the CARES Act provider relief fund, said Christi Grimm, Principal Deputy Inspector at HHS, during a video briefing Tuesday with members of the Committee on Oversight and Reform.

The inspector general plans to examine the effectiveness of HHS controls over the awarding and disbursement of billions in Provider Relief Fund (PRF) payments to hospitals and other providers. The goal is to understand how payments were calculated and review PRF payments for compliance with Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act requirements, she said.

Grimm also said she was in discussions with the inspector general for the Department of Homeland Security for a joint investigation into the distribution of supplies from the national stockpile.

Among the 14 planned projects, the IG also plans to look at the Food and Drug Administration's role in COVID-19 testing, including examining the FDA's Emergency Use Authorization processes and challenges with COVID-19 diagnostic tests and serological tests for antibodies.

The federal watchdog also plans to review the CDC's process of producing and distributing COVID-19 test kits.

Grimm was leading the inspector general's office in April when it issued a report on the resource challenges hospitals have been facing during the crisis, including shortages of testing supplies, personal protective equipment, and other critical medical supplies.

That report warned that “severe shortages of testing supplies and extended waits for test results limited hospitals’ ability to monitor the health of patients and staff” and “hampered hospitals’ efforts to reduce community spread, protect staff, and care for patients.

President Donald Trump fiercely criticized the report. Trump called its findings "wrong," asking to know the name of the inspector general and suggesting the report was politically motivated, NPR reported. He later took to Twitter to castigate Grimm and the report even further.

In early May, Trump moved to replace Grimm and named Jason Weida as the White House nominee to take the permanent inspector general post. Grimm had been in that role in an acting capacity since January.

Grimm told lawmakers Tuesday the report on hospital conditions at the end of March was a "snapshot in time" and said the report offered "quick and reliable data from the ground" to support the department's operations and help hospitals prepare.

"It's just the beginning of the work we're doing in looking at the coronavirus response," she said.

She told lawmakers that HHS has taken numerous steps to address the issues flagged in the April 6 report.

UPDATED: Tuesday, May 26, at 10:46 a.m.

HHS distributes nearly $4.9 billion to nursing facilities

The Department of Health and Human Services has started delivering nearly $4.9 billion to skilled nursing facilities to supplement earlier provider funding.

The new funding announced by HHS on Friday aims to help nursing homes keep seniors safe

HHS said the new funding could help nursing homes address labor, scale-up testing and to acquire personal protective equipment.

Each nursing facility will receive a fixed $50,000 and another $2,500 per bed.

“All certified SNFs with six or more certified beds are eligible for this targeted distribution,” according to a release on the funding.

Congress has passed $175 billion in funding to providers to help them compensate for major revenue losses due to the pandemic.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the viability of SNFs in a variety of ways,” HHS said. “Since the beginning of 2020, SNFs have experienced up to a 6 percent decline in their patient population as current and potential residents choose other care settings, or as current residents pass away.”

The Trump administration also recently put out new guidance that says nursing homes looking to reopen should not relax restrictions until all residents and staff got results from baseline tests to ensure they don’t have COVID-19.

UPDATED: Friday, May 22 at 11:55 a.m.

Survey finds majority of docs aren't convince states ready to reopen

A new survey found U.S. physicians remain split on whether states are ready to reopen as shelter-in-place guidelines begin being lifted across the country.

The survey of 250 U.S. doctors conducted by InCrowd found 41% believe their respective state is ready to reopen while 59% they were not.

Part of the split appears linked to how many COVID-19 patients the physician treated. For instance, 52% of physicians with fewer than 20 COVID-19 patients were in favor of reopening while only a quarter of physicians who treated more than 20 COVID-19 patients were in favor or reopening.

The survey also found nearly half of physicians surveyed wanted to see restrictions such as required masking, six-foot social distancing, and limits to gatherings to continues even as states began to reopen.

UPDATED: Thursday, May 21 at 1:55 p.m.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts processes 1M telehealth claims in 9 weeks

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts saw a massive spike in telehealth usage due to COVID-19, the insurer said Thursday.

Blue Cross said it has processed 1 million claims for telehealth in nine weeks under the pandemic. In February, the insurer was receiving about 200 claims per day for telehealth services; that number has climbed to about 38,000 per day at present.

“We’re experiencing a revolution when it comes to telehealth use, both for medical and mental health care,” said Andrew Dreyfus, Blue Cross’ president and CEO, in a statement. “It’s likely that this kind of growth would otherwise have taken years, based on the trends we saw before the COVID-19 crisis.”

Close to half of the claims have been for virtual behavioral and mental health services, according to Blue Cross. As such, it's taken steps to expand its network for such services.

Blue Cross said it's added 400 providers to its digital behavioral health network since March 1.

UPDATED: Wednesday, May 20 at 11:54 a.m.

HHS provides $225M for COVID-19 testing at rural clinics

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provided $225 million in funding to support COVID-19 testing in rural areas.

The funding will go to more than 4,500 Rural Health Clinics (RHC), which are designated health care practices in underserved rural areas to help ensure access to care for rural residents. This funding is being made available through the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, or the PPP stimulus package, which passed in April.

The funds for the RHC's are based on the number of certified clinic sites they operate but work out to about $50,000 per clinic site.

“Further expanding testing capacity, including at RHCs, is a crucial element of safely reopening our country and helping Americans return to work and school," HHS Secretary Alex Azar siad in a statement.

The funding may be used for a wide range COVID-19 testing and related expenses including planning for implementation of a COVID-19 testing program, procuring supplies to provide testing, training providers and staff on COVID-19 testing procedures, and reporting data to HHS on COVID-19 testing activities, officials said.

UPDATED: Tuesday, May 19, at 3:03 p.m.

Employers urge Congress to block M&A as condition for provider COVID funds

A coalition of employer groups said in a letter (PDF) to congressional leaders Tuesday that providers that accept CARES Act funding should agree to not engage in mergers or acquisitions for 12 months after.

The groups are also calling for a ban on price gouging and enforce transparency, including a focus on banning surprise medical billing. Also to save costs, the employer groups say that out-of-network care related to COVID-19 should be billed at Medicare rates, as the lack of copayments may push patients seek out-of-network providers more readily.

"To date, Congress has mandated that all health plans and self-insured employers cover patients’ COVID-19 related testing, preventive services, and an eventual vaccine with no cost sharing or medical management," the groups wrote.

"While these policies ensure people have the broadest access to vitally needed care, this is likely to result in higher use of out-of-network providers that have not agreed to join networks and accept reasonable prices," they said.

The employers are also urging Congress to ensure that COBRA subsidies are available to meet the demand as unemployment grows, and to consider a mechanism that would prevent premium hikes due to the pandemic.

UPDATED: Tuesday, May 19, at 12:55 p.m.

Civica Rx teams up in federal COVID response

Civica Rx, the generics drug company created by hospitals, joined a federally-funded partnership to produce essential generics in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Teams within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are working with industry partners to expand generics, including creating stockpiles of active pharmaceutical ingredients and essential generic sterile injectable medications needed during public health emergencies and beyond.

The immediate priority for the partnership will be COVID-19 response, officials said. The partnership is led by Phlow Corporation of Richmond which is a public benefit pharmaceutical manufacturing company committed to manufacturing essential medicines in the U.S from beginning to end. The company was awarded $354 million by HHS and BARDA to manufacture the drugs in shortage.

"This partnership fits well with Civica's mission to make essential generic medications accessible and affordable," said Martin VanTrieste, president and CEO of Civica Rx in a statement.

Civica will manufacture the finished dosage forms of essential medicines, including vials and syringes, with its existing network of manufacturing partners. For example, in partnership with Phlow, Civica has already provided 1.6 million doses of critical medicines such as broad-spectrum antibiotics, pain management medications, neuromuscular blocking agents, and additional medications needed to treat co-morbidities.

Civica will also begin to build its own finished dosage form manufacturing facility on the same site as Phlow’s other partner operations to ensure end-to-end domestic generic drug manufacturing dedicated to addressing critical drug shortages.

UPDATED: Tuesday, May 19 at 11:45 a.m.

More than 75 children's hospitals call for more funding

The leaders of 76 children's hospitals around the U.S. sent a letter Tuesday to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar calling for more relief due to financial hardships from the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the letter, the hospitals requested allocations from the remaining relief from the Public Health and Social Services Fund (PHSSEF) be distributed to pediatric facilities and "fully reflect the contribution made by children’s hospitals to fighting the pandemic."

Specifically, they said, they are asking for an immediate tranche of funding to be released to children's hospitals.

"We are grateful that the second tranche of PHSSEF reached our hospitals and still, the economic impact incurred by our institutions as a result of our response to COVID-19 continues to create catastrophic losses," the hospital leaders wrote in the letter. "The damage the crisis is creating cannot be reversed without the continued support and certainty that only the federal government can provide."

The hospitals pointed out that most of their revenue comes from the Medicaid program requiring any formula used to calculate funding reflect its disproportionate numbers of Medicaid patients.

UPDATED: Monday, May 18, at 12:55 p.m.

Cerner begins phased re-entry to return employees to the office

Health IT giant Cerner started moving employees back to its Kansas City-based offices Monday, starting with executive leadership

Cerner is the region’s largest private employer with 14,000 associates across several Kansas City campuses. The healthcare IT company employs some 28,000 workers around the globe.

Only 10% of Cerner's workforce will return to work initially with a phased-in approach to follow, The Kansas City Star reported.

For the foreseeable future, all of Cerner’s buildings will house no more than half their usual numbers of workers.

As employees return, they’ll be encouraged to wear masks, according to The Kansas City Star. The company will close fitness centers and cafeterias. Elevators will be limited to two passengers and all staircases will be designated for one-way travel — either up or down.

Big tech giants in Silicon Valley have said they are in no hurry to get employees back to the office. Google and Facebook told employees that many workers who can do their jobs remotely should plan to do so until 2021. Amazon said its headquarters employees will stay home at least until October, the Washington Post reported.

Cerner moved nearly its entire workforce to remote work within four days — a process that it will start to slowly unwind next week. But it’s already clear that the pandemic has forever changed the industry, said Eva Karp, a senior vice president and chief clinical and patient safety officer at Cerner, according to the newspaper.

Some positions, particularly in the company’s consulting and client support divisions, will likely transition to virtual roles in the future, Karp said.

“I don’t think we’ll ever go back to before. We’re considering a transition to the new and our new workforce and the new environment. We’re continually communicating that it’s an evolution," she told The Kansas City Star.

UPDATED: Friday, May 15, at 3:30 p.m.

Fitbit is working on emergency ventilators, CNBC reports

Wearables giant Fitbit is shifting its supply chain to make emergency-use ventilators, CEO James Park told CNBC.

The company is submitting its technology to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the coming days, Park said. Before working on the design, Fitbit consulted emergency room physicians about their ventilator shortages and needs, including doctors at Massachusetts General and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), CNBC's Christina Farr reported Friday.

“I think one of the advantages for us is that we have the infrastructure and manufacturing capability,” Park told Farr. “We already make 10 million (wearable) devices per year, and we plan to leverage that to make deliver product at whatever volumes are needed.”

A Fitbit spokesperson said that the company will work with an existing vendor in Taiwan to ramp up the ventilators once the FDA approves its request, Farr reported.

Park didn't reveal potential pricing but says the ventilators will be at a "lower" price point.

UPDATED: Friday, May 15, at 11:45 a.m.

CDC issues alert to doctors on rare COVID-linked syndrome in children

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a health alert to physicians Thursday on how to recognize and report cases of a rare, potentially life-threatening syndrome in children associated with the new coronavirus.

The illness, which the CDC calls "multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children," or MIS-C, has been reported in at least 19 states and Washington, D.C., according to NBC News.

There have been 100 cases among pediatric patients in New York State, the CDC reported.

The syndrome shares symptoms with toxic shock and Kawasaki disease including fever, rashes, swollen glands and, in severe cases, heart inflammation.

According to the alert, the CDC's case definition for MIS-C is an individual younger than 21 presenting with fever, laboratory evidence of inflammation, and evidence of clinically severe illness requiring hospitalization, with multisystem organ involvement (cardiac, renal, respiratory, hematologic, gastrointestinal, dermatologic or neurological).

To meet the criteria, doctors should rule out other plausible diagnoses. Children with the condition should also test positive for current infection with the novel coronavirus or for antibodies demonstrating a recent infection, the CDC said.

The CDC recommends healthcare providers report any patient who meets the case definition to local, state, and territorial health departments to enhance knowledge of risk factors, pathogenesis, clinical course, and treatment of this syndrome.

UPDATED: Friday, May 15, at 10:29 a.m.

UnitedHealth Group and Microsoft team up on COVID-19 symptom screening app

UnitedHealth Group and Microsoft have joined forces to launch a new protocol and app called ProtectWell to help employers bring their employees back to the office in a safe environment.

ProtectWell creates a framework backed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for screening and tracing of the virus.

A key part of the protocol is a smartphone that allows employers to offer workers a screening tool.

The app includes an “AI-powered healthcare bot that asks users a series of questions to screen for COVID-19 symptoms or exposure,” a UHG press release said. “If risk of infection is indicated, employers can direct their employees to a streamlined COVID-19 testing process that enables closed-loop ordering and reporting of test results directly back to employers.”

ProtectWell also offers resources for a safe work environment, including guidelines for social distancing and sanitation.

“As we plan for a safe and careful return to the workplace, employers need clear guidelines to ensure a safe environment and a robust process for employees to screen themselves for COVID-19 symptoms,” said Ken Ehlert, chief scientific officer for UnitedHealth Group.

UPDATED: Thursday, May 14 at 11:53 a.m.

Cigna to provide real-time digital support to members with COVID-19

Cigna will offer digital tools to its members with COVID-19 to provide real-time support while they recover.

The insurer is teaming with Collective Medical to identify members in real-time as they visit emergency departments with COVID-19 symptoms. This will allow its care teams to quickly connect with members who may need assistance, including remote monitoring or care management.

In addition, Cigna is launching a new tool in partnership with Medocity for members with mild COVID-19 to assist them in tracking their symptoms as they shelter in place. The tool will provide access to behavioral health resources and will alert care managers if symptoms worsen.

Both options are being made available at no cost, Cigna said.

"We are creating a differentiated and digital-first health care experience – one that leverages our expertise and innovative tools and resources – to help our customers improve their health, well-being and peace of mind," said Joan Harvey, president of care coordination at Cigna Health Services, in a statement. "With real-time data, we can quickly identify customers with COVID-19 and provide supportive services around their needs."

UPDATED: Wednesday, May 13 at 11:19 a.m.

Aetna extends cost-sharing waivers for COVID-19 care

Aetna announced Wednesday that it would extend its policy waiving member cost-sharing for testing and inpatient hospitalizations related to COVID-19 through the end of September.

The waivers were set to expire on June 1. In addition, Aetna said it will waive out-of-pocket costs for in-network primary care visits for its Medicare Advantage members.

“We remain committed to helping our members get the care they need without the added worry of wondering how they will pay for it," said Karen Lynch, executive vice president at CVS and president of Aetna, in a statement. "We’ll continue to invest in efforts that support our members’ physical and mental wellbeing, letting them know they are not alone during this crisis.”

Aetna is also extending its waivers for behavioral telehealth through Sept. 30, the insurer said. Aetna said it will also extend its policy to nix early refill limits on 30-day maintenance prescriptions, which was set to end on May 15.

UPDATED: Tuesday, May 12, at 8 p.m.

Judy Faulkner says Epic working on immunity passport technology

Epic CEO and founder Judy Faulkner said during an interview on CNBC Tuesday that the EHR giant is working on "immunity passport" technology rather than a contact tracing app.

During CNBC's Healthy Returns virtual summit, Bertha Coombs asked Faulkner about technology the company is working on during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"There’s been so much discussion about being able to track and trace, but eventually also being able potentially to sort of say, 'Look, I’ve been tested and I know I have antibodies.' Is that something that Epic can help with to help public health systems develop a way to be able to say, 'Hey, I’m clear'?"

Faulkner responded that Epic is working with a group to develop those kinds of tools.

"Putting a marker on the phone that will say whether you are tested and you’re clear, whether you are currently not safe, whether you have COVID right now, so that would be red for if you have COVID now, it would be green if you’re clear, and it would be yellow if it’s unknown," Faulkner said, according to a transcript of the interview posted on CNBC.

"We’re working with a group that’s doing that, and we said to them we’d like to do it for all our MyChart patients as well. So we’re putting that on MyChart as well so that they too will have that and you could go into a restaurant, show your signal to the people in the restaurant, and they’ll know you’re clear," said Faulkner.

As states and businesses increasingly push to reopen amid pandemic concerns, interest around the concept of "immunity passports" or immunity certificates has begun to grow.

Many healthcare experts say that if immunity is proved, having a system of creating immunity passports for people who have had COVID-19 would increase their liberties without infringing on others' rights.

Coombs also asked the health IT company CEO if Epic would develop COVID-19 track and tracing capabilities as part of its mobile platform.

Tech giants Apple and Google are collaborating on a COVID contact tracing app that works on Bluetooth technology.

Recent surveys show that consumers have hesitations about using contact tracing apps, Faulkner said.

"About two-thirds of the people said they wouldn’t want that done and one-third said they would. So we are watching the contact tracing and what people think of it to see about it. But right now our feeling is that with so many people feeling it isn’t the right thing to do, that it becomes too invasive, right now we are not going forward with that," she said.

UPDATED: Tuesday, May 12, at 2:33 p.m.

House Dems $3T COVID-19 bill includes $100B for providers

House Democrats want to give providers another $100 billion to help them respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the bill may not get through the Senate.

House Democrats unveiled a $3 trillion economic stimulus package on Tuesday that includes more funding for testing and providers. The $100 billion adds to another $175 billion that Congress has passed in prior relief bills.

The legislation includes another $75 billion for testing, contact tracing and covers free coronavirus treatments.

A large portion of the funding would go to states ($500 billion) and local governments would get $375 billion.

The legislation would also create a $200 billion Heroes fund that provides hazard pay for essential workers.

But Republicans in the Senate have blasted the bill as too partisan, likely dooming its chances of getting through Congress.

UPDATED: Tuesday, May 12 at 12:18 p.m.

BCBSA: Millennials, Gen Z adapting to telehealth more quickly than baby boomers

New data released by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association shows that millennials and Gen Zers are adapting more quickly to the need for telehealth during COVID-19 than their baby boomer counterparts.

The study shows that 30% of millennials and 35% of Gen Zers report using telemedicine platforms, compared to 15% of baby boomers.

In addition, the analysis shows that telehealth is becoming a critical tool for maintaining behavioral healthcare. BCBSA found that 75% of Americans with a behavioral health need are continuing therapy during the pandemic, thanks in large part to telemedicine.

"The COVID-19 pandemic is a stressful time for everyone due to the fear and uncertainty that it brings, leading people to cope in different ways," said Vincent Nelson, M.D., vice president of medical affairs for BCBSA, in a statement. "It is vital that Americans continue to seek out the care they need from the telehealth options available to them to ensure that they can get and stay healthy."

UPDATED: Monday, May 11 at 1:50 p.m.

Optum boosts provider participation in behavioral telehealth platform

Optum said Monday that it's grown provider participation in its proprietary behavioral telehealth platform by 45% as a result of the pandemic.

The platform now boasts more than 10,000 network providers, Optum said. The company also said that the number of member visits booked through the platform has grown by 52% compared to before COVID-19.

Optum said that normally telehealth accounts for about 2% of the behavioral health claims it processes. Due to the pandemic, that number rose to 33% at the end of March.

“We will continue to ensure the people we serve are able to stay connected with behavioral health care providers during COVID-19,” said Rebecca Schechter, CEO of Optum Behavioral Health. “We’re also doing more by proactively reaching out to our most vulnerable members so they understand how to best continue their treatment, including prescription refills.”

Optum has also made it easier for the 200,000 providers in its behavioral healthcare network to offer visits virtually or over the phone, according to the announcement.

UPDATED: Friday, May 8 at 2:40 p.m.

Express Scripts launches program to help uninsured access prescriptions

Express Scripts has launched a new program to help people who are newly uninsured due to COVID-19 access their prescriptions.

Parachute Rx will provide significant discounts on more than 40 brand-name drugs and thousands of generics. It will cap the cost of 30-day generic prescriptions at $25 and 30-day brand-name prescriptions at $75.

The program was launched in partnership with drug manufacturers and retail pharmacies across the country.

Any person who loses their job because of the pandemic will be eligible for the program, Express Scripts said. Customers can view eligible prescriptions and participating pharmacies near them at express-scripts.com/parachuterx.

Customers can choose home delivery through Express Scripts Pharmacy or seek their medications at one of the more than 50,000 participating retail pharmacies, including Walgreens, CVS and Rite Aid locations. The discounts will also be available at some grocer and community pharmacies, too, Express Scripts said.

"We have seen this pandemic bring out the best of humanity, and the quick collaboration among our industry partners to make Parachute Rx a reality is what our country needs right now," said Tim Wentworth, president of health services. "The Parachute Rx program is an extraordinary partnership for these extraordinary times. Together, we can offer a softer landing for people whose lives have been upended by this pandemic so they can come out of this crisis healthy and strong."

UPDATED: Thursday, May 7 at 1:55 p.m.

Oscar, Uno partner to offer financial assistance to Medicare Advantage members

Oscar has teamed up with Uno Health to officer financial assistance to its Medicare Advantage members impacted by COVID-19.

The two companies will work together to help low-income MA members access benefits through government programs, which they may not be aware of or may be uncomfortable applying for.

Uno will be targeting 70% of Oscar's Medicare Advantage membership in New York and Texas for enrollment in government programs.

“Oscar is excited to be partnering with Uno to help our Medicare Advantage members access critical financial support during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Ananth Lalithakumar, who recently joined Oscar to lead the Medicare Advantage team.

“Through seamless partnerships with innovative companies like Uno, Oscar expands the scope of support we offer our members to meet more of the needs that impact their health," Lalithakumar said.

UPDATED: Thursday, May 7 at 1:33 p.m.

HHS awards $583 million for testing

The Trump administration awarded $583 million to boost COVID-19 testing around the U.S.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), awarded the funds to nearly 1,400 health systems across the U.S., and eight U.S. territories. About 90% of the HRSA-funded health centers report testing patients, with more than 65% offering walk-up or drive-up testing.

The funding is begin made available via the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, signed into law April 24.

UPDATED: Wednesday, May 6, at 2:55 p.m.

Intermountain starts limited COVID-19 antibody testing

Utah-based Intermountain Healthcare has started using a COVID-19 antibody test offered to patients and caregivers that meet certain criteria.

The test provided by ARUP Laboratories is used to determine whether an individual has developed antibodies to the virus.

Intermountain will continue to use the standard molecular testing for the general public that use nasal/throat samples.

The goal is to give the healthcare system a better sense of the presence of the virus in their community and whether it is aggressively spreading.

“When COVID-19 antibody testing is done in addition to PCR testing and in collaboration with the state and other providers, it can improve research and learning about the novel coronavirus here in Utah,” said Eddie Stenehjem, MD, an infectious diseases physician and medical director of Intermountain’s Antibiotic Stewardship program, in a statement.

UPDATED: Wednesday, May 6, at 1:56 p.m.

Cigna launches initiative to protect members from surprise COVID-19 bills

Cigna has kicked off a new program to help protect its members from surprise bills related to care for COVID-19.

The insurer said Wednesday it would reimburse out-of-network providers who treat its members with the novel coronavirus at " reasonable, market-based rates" through its Customer Protection Program. In addition, Cigna said that it will assist members in negotiating any business disputes related to COVID-19 care.

"To support the regulatory mandates and remove any remaining uncertainties that customers may have, Cigna has created additional safeguards to mitigate the impact of surprise bills," CEO David Cordani said in a statement. "We will partner closely with any Cigna customer who receives a surprise bill related to COVID-19 care and work to resolve the issue, so they can have greater peace of mind."

Cigna said it will base rates on what the federal government will pay in a geographic region and will comply with state regulations.

UPDATED: Wednesday, May 6, at 1:28 p.m.

Michigan Medicine to furlough and layoff 1,400 employees

Michigan Medicine announced Tuesday it will furlough and layoff 1,400 employees and will install a hiring freeze due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The academic medical center that is part of the University of Michigan health system also announced that Marschall Runge, CEO of Michigan Medicine, will take a 20% pay cut and other department chairs and leaders will reduce compensation between 5 to 15%.

“Other expense savings include suspension of merit increases, employer retirement match, tuition reimbursement, and reductions to supplies, consulting and discretionary expenses,” the system said.

The organization will also delay capital projects “not needed for safety or regulatory compliance. That includes a planned $920-million story hospital to be built on its Ann Arbor campus.

“While we don’t take any of these decisions lightly, we believe it is a preferable outcome to broad salary reductions and allows us to preserve as many jobs as possible,” said Runge, in a statement.

Michigan Medicine is the latest hospital system to furlough workers due to plummeting revenue from COVID-19. Other major hospital systems such as Tenet and Detroit Medical Center have had to furlough workers because of revenue loss from low patient volume and no revenue from elective surgical procedures.

Michigan Medicine said it is taking steps to resume some clinical services.

UPDATED: Monday, May 4 at 11:07 a.m.

CVS pledges $1 million to boost mental health supports

CVS Health said it would put more than $1 million toward boosting access mental health services for frontline workers effected by COVID-19.

The healthcare giant called the growing need for mental health services a "second curve" to the pandemic. CVS said it has seen a 200% increase year over year in virtual mental health visits since March 1.

The Aetna Foundation will provide $500,000 to Americares for its COVID-19 Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Project, and a $300,000 grant to Crisis Text Line's For the Frontlines initiative, which offers around-the-clock mental health supports to frontline workers.

CVS is also offering $220,000 to Give an Hour, a group that provides no-cost counseling to healthcare workers.

"The wrath of COVID-19 is not just physical. Mental trauma is the deadly undertow of the pandemic's first wave," said Karen Lynch, executive vice president at CVS Health and president of Aetna, in a statement. "The impact of isolation, fear, uncertainty and loss can be just as deadly as the virus itself. It is silent and can't be seen, but we are all affected by it."

UPDATED: Sunday, May 3, at 8:15 p.m.

Trump says COVID vaccine will be developed by the end of 2020

President Donald Trump said Sunday he believes a COVID-19 vaccine will be developed by the end of 2020.

Speaking during a virtual town hall on Fox News, Trump said, "We're pushing very hard. Many companies are, I think, close. We are very confident that we'll have a vaccine by the end of this year."

The White House last week announced an initiative, dubbed “Operation Warp Speed,” to try to accelerate development of a vaccine. The project's goal is delivering 100 million doses of a viable COVID-19 vaccine by January. It would be a radical acceleration of the typical vaccine development timeline, which is typically described in years, not months.

Dr. Deborah Birx, a member of the White House coronavirus task force, said that “on paper, it’s possible” that the accelerated deadline could be met.

“The way that it’s possible is if you bring forward five or six different classes of candidates, which the Operation Warp Speed has done. So it’s not relying on a single vaccine platform; it’s relying on several different candidates that are made differently and act differently,” Birx said on “Fox News Sunday.”

“And then it’s about doing compressed phase one, phase two, phase three trials in an overlapping way, moving forward when you have a good safety and immunogenicity data, but not with the level of pauses that are often present in vaccine development,” she said.

Birx added, “It’s whether we can execute and execute around the globe. Because you also, for phrase three, have to have active viral transmission in a community in order to study its efficacy.”

The U.S. has more than 1.15 million confirmed cases of COVID-19, and has recorded over 67,000 deaths.

During the town hall, Trump also said he supported allowing hospitals to resume elective surgeries, but noted that the decision is up to state governors.

"These hospitals are legitimately, you think they are making a lot of money, the are losing a fortune. They have to let these hospitals reopen and get back to elective surgeries," he said.



UPDATED: Friday, May 1, at 7:50 p.m.

HHS starts distribution of payments to COVID-19 hotspots

Health and Human Services started processing payments on Friday to hospitals with a large number of COVID-19 admissions through April 10 and to rural providers.

The agency is doling out $12 billion to 395 hospitals that provided inpatient care for 100 or more of COVID-19 patients through April 10.

HHS added that $2 billion of that funding will be distributed based on a hospital’s Medicare and Medicaid disproportionate share and uncompensated care payments, a nod to criticism from safety net hospitals that the first $30 billion round of funding only focused on hospitals that got Medicare payments.

The agency also is providing $10 billion to rural providers that include acute care general hospitals, critical access hospitals, rural health clinics and community health centers in rural areas.

The hospitals and rural health clinics each will get a minimum base payment plus a percent fo their annual expenses.

“This expense-based method accounts for operating cost and lost revenue incurred by rural hospitals for both inpatient and outpatient services,” HHS said in a release.

The money is part of a $100 billion fund that Congress passed a few weeks. Congress passed another $75 billion last week to help hospitals.

However, the American Hospital Association and American Nurses Association sent a joint letter to Congressional leaders no Friday imploring for more funding as hospitals face a cash crisis sparked by COVID-19.

UPDATED: Friday, May 1, at 7:39 p.m.

HHS offers $40 million to deliver COVID-19 info to rural, ethnic communities

Health and Human Services announced Friday it will invest $40 million for the development and coordination of a strategic network of organizations to deliver important COVID-19 information to racial and ethnic minorities, rural and socially vulnerable communities.

The information network is intended to help get information on testing, healthcare and social services to vulnerable communities hit hard by the pandemic.

““The vulnerable populations in many underserved communities are among the highest risk of suffering devastating health and economic impacts of COVID-19,” Assistant Secretary for Health Brett P. Giroir, MD, said in a statement. “This initiative will build upon our existing response, partnering federal, state, local, and tribal governments with the private sector to address the unique needs of these communities and individuals.”

The three-year initiative will include a multi-media outreach and education effort alongside providing more resources at the community level.

UPDATED: Thursday, April 30 at 11:23 a.m.

Humana Foundation puts $50M to COVID-19 relief

Humana will make $50 million available for COVID-19 through its philanthropic arm.

The Humana Foundation will partner with national and community service organizations to immediately deploy the funds for short-term and long-term relief efforts. $34 million will go to short-term needs, such as assisting health workers on the front lines, addressing food insecurity and supporting behavioral health groups.

“As the COVID-19 health crisis continues throughout our country, it is exposing daily challenges for Americans, and many are struggling,” said Bruce Broussard, Humana CEO and chair of the foundation's board.

“With this funding, we will help individuals and communities address immediate needs related to health care, food and employment. And, long term, these resources will serve as a catalyst in building capabilities and community resiliency, and ultimately sustainable, long-term success," Broussard said.

UPDATED: Tuesday, April 28 at 2:27 p.m.

AMA pushes feds to take stronger role in expanding testing

The American Medical Association is urging the Trump administration to take on a stronger leadership role as it works to expand diagnostic testing and antibody testing for COVID-19.

A critical ask in a letter sent to Department of Health and Human Services official Brett Giroir Tuesday is for more guidance to physicians on antibody testing, as new products come to market.

The AMA says that antibody, or serological, testing should be limited to use in population-level study by physicians and lab techs trained in interpreting them. The federal government should also offer education to patients and docs on the performance and limitations of these tests.

“As we anticipate the threat of COVID-19 may persist into the fall, the coming months represent a critical time for federal leadership to help ensure states are adequately resourced and prepared with critical strategies to manage what may be increased demand for testing services,” wrote AMA CEO and EVP James L. Madara, M.D. "Federal guidance and leadership as we move through new phases of this global pandemic will be critical to the rapid identification and management of new cases as we work together to eliminate this global threat," Madara wrote.

UPDATED: Monday, April 27, at 4:51 p.m.

AMA creates new online resource hub on health equity

The American Medical Association released on Monday an online resource hub that seeks to shine a light on health equity problems exacerbated by the COVID-19 outbreak.

“These timely and topical resources were designed to ensure that physicians are equipped with the information they need to confront inequities and advance equity across all aspects of the health care system,” said AMA President Patrice Harris, MD, in a statement Monday.

The tools include that AMA cultivated various health equity resources, including a frequently-asked questions document.

“This page provides guidance, recommendations and strategies that address key questions like what kind of role public health leadership should play in national response efforts and how to recognize physician bias,” an AMA release said.

UPDATED: Monday, April 27 at 3:44 p.m.

HHS launches new provider portal for uninsured COVID-19 claims

The Health Resources and Services Administration has launched a new portal to allow providers to submit claims for COVID-19 care provided to uninsured patients.

The Department of Health and Human Services said claims incurred on or after Feb. 2 are eligible. Reimbursements will generally be offered at Medicare rates for testing and treatment related to COVID-19, according to HHS.

The reimbursement was established as part of CARES Act.

"President Trump has promised to cover COVID-19 testing and treatment for uninsured individuals, and today, HHS is launching the tools needed to do that," said HHS Secretary Alex Azar in a statement. "The president and HHS made the bold decision to ensure that some of this money is specifically devoted to covering care for the uninsured, going to providers at the front lines of the pandemic response."

UPDATED: Monday, April 27 at 1:30 p.m.

Healthcare CFOs weigh-in on the challenges ahead

As financial struggles related to COVID-19 continue, healthcare industry financial executives are eyeing automation to stay afloat, a new survey shows.

PricewaterhouseCoopers released a survey of chief financial officers across industries on Monday, which found that healthcare CFOs were more likely than others to be planning for automation amid the pandemic.

Fifty-four percent said they indeed to accelerate such a transition as they begin to bring people back to work, compared to 40% on average across all industries, according to the survey.

Healthcare CFOs are also preparing for high demand from workers for extra protection, the survey found. Seventy percent said they're expecting employees to push initiatives better protect them, compared to 50% on average across industries.

"As the nation continues to grapple with the pandemic, getting back to work is top of mind for US financial leaders overall, but this is an especially pressing issue for health leaders," the researchers wrote. "They must plan for their own workforces, while dealing with an unfolding financial calamity."

UPDATED: Friday, April 24, at 12:53 p.m.

Trump signs into law extra hospital, testing funding

President Trump signed into law a new economic stimulus package that includes $75 billion for hospitals and $25 billion to prop up testing.

The legislation is expected to bolster a $100 billion relief fund for providers that have been devastated financially due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The new funding is part of a larger $484 billion package that also replenishes a small business loan program.

Health and Human Services gave out details earlier this week on how a majority of the funding will be distributed. The agency plans to provide $10 billion each to rural hospitals and to providers in COVID-19 hotspots.

HHS will also give $50 billion in more general funds to hospitals.

UPDATED: Friday, April 24, at 11:00 a.m.

Massachusetts partners with Doctor on Demand to provide free telehealth to uninsured

Doctor On Demand is teaming up with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to provide free virtual medical visits to Massachusetts residents without health insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Doctor On Demand will support uninsured residents who have questions about COVID-19 symptoms or have been identified as needing telehealth care through the state’s COVID-19 contact tracing efforts. The partnership follows a previously-announced agreement with MassHealth, the state of Massachusetts’ administrator of Medicaid and children’s health insurance programs, to offer free virtual COVID-19 related visits to the State’s 1.8 million members.

"During the COVID-19 emergency, Massachusetts has made unprecedented efforts to eliminate barriers to health care access, including expansive coverage of telehealth services," said Acting Medicaid Director Amanda Cassel Kraft. "MassHealth is excited to announce this partnership with Doctor On Demand to provide medical support to our members and uninsured residents seeking guidance on COVID-19 symptoms or risk factors."

UPDATED: Thursday, April 23, at 4:53 p.m.

Envision Healthcare deploys or reassigns more than 500 clinicians to COVID-19 hotspots

Healthcare staffing firm Envision Healthcare announced Thursday that it has deployed or reassigned more than 500 clinicians across 55 hospitals and medical sites to areas hit hard by COVID-19.

The staffing firm said that it has sent 200 clinicians to New York area hospitals and that others are being reassigned in their own facility.

The company employs a lot of anesthesiologists and many have transitioned to provide backup to emergency department and intensive care units.

“As COVID-19 patient volumes fluctuate in different parts of the nation, Envision will continue to deploy clinicians to care for patients in areas of need,” the company said in a release.

UPDATED: Thursday, April 23 at 1 p.m.

Trump administration releases telehealth toolkit for states

The White House has issued a new toolkit aimed at making it easier for state Medicaid and CHIP programs grow their use of telehealth.

As coverage in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program varies between states, the toolkit flags policies that may impede the expansion of telehealth benefits.

The toolkit also includes the major issues that states should consider if they wish to adjust their telehealth strategy, such as the target patient populations and which providers are eligible to offer telehealth services.

“While not all patient interactions can be delivered through telehealth, our clinicians on the frontlines need every tool in their arsenal to fight this invisible enemy,” said Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma. “I’m urging states to use this toolkit to make sure our Medicaid patients, particularly our children, can continue to receive needed care from the safety of their homes.”

UPDATED: Wednesday, April 22, at 6:00 p.m.

Cuomo announces tri-state contact tracing program with $10M commitment from Bloomberg

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg announced Wednesday a COVID-19 contact tracing program to control the infection rate of the disease in the tri-state area.

"One of the most critical pieces of getting to a new normal is to ramp up testing, but states have a second big task - to put together an army of people to trace each person who tested positive, find out who they contacted and then isolate those people," Cuomo said in a statement. "This partnership with Mike Bloomberg to create an unprecedented, nation-leading contact tracing program will do just that and serve as a model for the rest of the nation."

There has never been a contact tracing program implemented at this scale either in New York or anywhere in the United States, according to Cuomo.

New York will partner with New Jersey and Connecticut to launch the tri-state tracing program.

During his daily press briefing, Cuomo said he’s discussed the “massive undertaking” with New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) and Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D). He said there is no timeline for the program, but tracing is “starting now” and will increase “incrementally," The Hill reported.

The three states will work with Bloomberg, Johns Hopkins University and Vital Strategies to institute the program,

Bloomberg has volunteered to contribute upward of $10 million through the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

The New York State Department of Health will work with Bloomberg Philanthropies to help identify and recruit contact tracer candidates for the training program, including staff from the State Department of Health, investigators from various state agencies, hundreds of tracers from downstate counties and SUNY and CUNY students in medical fields.

UPDATED: April 22, at 1:15 p.m.

Senators press Verma for ACO mulligan for 2020

A duo of bipartisan senators is calling for the Trump administration to waive accountable care organizations from having to repay losses for 2020.

Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., and Bill Cassidy, R-La., wrote to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma on Tuesday seeking more relief for ACOs.

ACOs must meet certain spending and quality targets. If they do meet those targets then they get a share of any savings but must repay Medicaer for any losses.

But the COVID-19 outbreak has wreaked havoc on healthcare systems and the costs could be beyond the control of ACOs.

Senators were pleased that CMS will prorate any 2020 losses based on the duration of the public health emergency.

If the emergency lasts for six months then ACOs “would be liable for the losses for the year,” the letter said. “The policy does not adequate adjust losses for ACOs in hard-hit COVID areas and still holds ACOs accountable for the abnormally high costs of providing care during a global pandemic.”

Therefore the senators are calling for CMS to waive any losses for 2020, a request that ACOs have also been making.

UPDATED: Tuesday, April 21 at 8:24 p.m.

Data shows improvement, but nursing homes still seeing outbreaks, Birx warns

First the good news.

Data shows continued improvement across almost all the large metro areas across the U.S., said Deborah Birx, M.D., White House coronavirus response coordinator.

That includes the New York Metro area and surrounding states including New York City and Long Island, as well as Rhode Island and Connecticut. It also includes declines in other areas of recent concern including the Detroit area, as well as New Orleans, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Houston, Atlanta, Nashville, Baltimore, Indianapolis and St. Louis, she said.

Now the bad news.

Among the areas that aren't declining just yet: The D.C. metro area, she said. She also warned the U.S. will continue to see deaths, particularly in the cities as they begin to move past their peaks, because deaths will lag.

She also pointed out a number of outbreaks that have been occurring in long-term care facilities, nursing homes and confined spaces in rural areas and less populated states.

"We asked everyone in phase one to make sure they continued their social distancing in public, to make sure the vulnerable with co-morbidities and other conditions and the elderly were staying at home and making sure we’re still providing service to them," Birx said about recently released national guidelines for reopening the country. "I think as Americans, we want to stop that and we have the ability to do that by paying attention to the guidelines."

UPDATED: Tuesday, April 21 at 1:21 p.m.

Blues plans have provided $3B in COVID-19 support to date

Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans have offered $3 billion in financial support to members and providers to fight the COVID-19 pandemic so far.

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association announced Tuesday that the funding from its 36 member plans has targeted a slew of initiatives, from waiving member costs to tackling social determinants to assisting in building out testing capabilities.

"We are grateful to all of those on the front lines in the ongoing battle against COVID-19 who are fighting to ensure Americans can get and stay healthy during this unprecedented global pandemic," said Scott Serota, BCBSA president and CEO.

"As local, independent organizations that have long served and met the unique needs of their communities, Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies are well positioned to understand what each community needs most and are working alongside local officials, health care professionals and hospitals to ensure they have access to the resources and support they need to help improve the health of America," Serota said.

UPDATED: Monday, April 20, at 4:50 p.m.

AMA calls for governors to remove barriers to boosting capacity

The American Medical Association has called on the National Governors Association to support removal of obstacles to expanding physician workforce.

The AMA sent a letter to the group on Monday that some federal, state and local directives related to COVID-19 could create possible liability risks for physicians. It calls for all governors in the NGA to adopt liability protections for physicians that volunteer or temporarily relocate to hotspot COVID-19 areas.

“The AMA urges governors to adopt broader civil immunity and provide coverage to both volunteers and paid physicians, thereby removing barriers to physicians responding to the call to action in areas experiencing a surge in COVID-19 patients,” the letter said.

Retired physicians and physicians in other states have either moved or returned to service to help overwhelmed healthcare systems.

The letter pointed to executive orders in New York and Connecticut that gave civil immunity for any “injury or death alleged to have sustained directly as a result of an act” of a physician while providing medical services in response to the outbreak.”

UPDATED: Monday, April 20, at 2:14 p.m.

Nurses to protest at White House over PPE

A group of registered nurses will hold a protest in front of the White House on Tuesday to call attention to issues facing the frontline healthcare workers such as a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE).

The protest organized by National Nurses United, the country’s largest registered nurse union, calls for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to make an emergency temporary standard so healthcare workers are provided with optimal PPE.

The union petitioned OSHA back on March 4 to create such a standard, but haven't heard back.

“With no federal health and safety standard, nurses and other healthcare workers in many hospitals across the country have not been provided with adequate PPE to protect them from exposure to the virus,” according to a release from the union.

The union is also asking Congress to insert such a standard in the next COVID-19 legislative package.

“The nurses are also demanding that President Trump use his authority under the Defense Production Act (DPA) to order the mass production of PPE, including N95 respirators, face shields, gowns, gloves and shoe coverings, as well as ventilators and COVID-19 testing kits,” NNU said.

UPDATED: Monday, April 20 at 10:42 a.m.

Study finds far higher in-hospital mortality for diabetic COVID-19 patients

A new study found that diabetic patients who contract COVID-19 are four times more likely to die in the hospital.

Glytec, a platform that offers insulin management software, released an observational study on how diabetic patients are impacted by the virus. The study found that 29% of those with hyperglycemia while hospitalized died, compared to 6% for other patients.

In addition, the researchers found that 42% of those patients had not been diagnosed with diabetes prior to hospitalization, and developed hypoglycemia while admitted.

"This research confirms that diabetes is an important risk factor for dying from COVID-19," said Bruce Bode, M.D., a diabetes specialist at Atlanta Diabetes Associates and adjunct associate professor of medicine at Emory University School of Medicine. It also suggests that patients with acutely uncontrolled hyperglycemia – with or without a diabetes diagnosis – are dying at a higher rate than clinicians and hospitals may recognize."

The researchers also found a longer length of stay for patients with hypoglycemia. The study was based on 1,122 COVID-19 from 88 hospitals across 11 states.

UPDATED: Friday, March 17 at 1:20 p.m.

FCC approves $3.2M for six hospitals in initial COVID-19 Telehealth Program funding round

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved $3.2 million in funding for six hard-hit health systems to deploy telemedicine technology and connected devices to support virtual care.

The initial batch of funding is part of the FCC's new $200 million Emergency COVID-19 Telehealth Program, the agency announced Thursday.

FCC staff approved the first set of applications just three days after the application window opened.

The approved funding will go to the Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta; Hudson River HealthCare, Inc., in Peekskill, New York; Mount Sinai Health System in New York City, Neighborhood Health Care, Inc., in Cleveland; UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh; and the Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans.

"The FCC has moved with unprecedented speed to support the nation’s response to COVID-19. I am pleased that this initial batch of $3.2 million in funding will be used to stand up telehealth programs so that our country’s health care heroes can treat both COVID-19 patients and those experiencing a range of other health conditions," FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr said in a statement.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, passed by Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump in late March, earmarks the funds for the FCC to help healthcare providers offering telehealth. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai announced that he wanted to use $200 million from the economic stimulus package to expand telehealth services across the country.

Organizations interested in applying for funding through the COVID-19 Telehealth Program can find more information and an online application here.

UPDATED: Friday, March 17 at 12:16 p.m.

ACAP urges policy changes to support community health plans

The Association for Community Affiliated Plans sent a letter to the Trump administration outlining a number of policy changes that could support community health plans through the COVID-19 pandemic.

ACAP wants the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to launch a federal special enrollment period and issue a temporary moratorium on short-term plans. In addition, the group is pushing the agency to consider allowing issuers to reinstate coverage for people who dropped out due to failure to pay premiums, and delay rate filing deadlines.

Plus, ACAP said CMS should consider delaying its interoperability rule, and coverage transparency rule.

ACAP said that 54 of its members signed a pledge to waive cost-sharing for Medicaid and Medicare members. There are some members who have extended that same promise to their exchange plan members, ACAP said.

"These efforts are already underway, along with plans’ efforts to support their providers, members, and staff over the coming months," ACAP wrote.

UPDATED: Thursday, March 16 at 4:25 p.m.

FDA relaxes compounding rules for hospitals

The Food and Drug Administration will allow hospitals to compound drugs needed to treat COVID-19 patients for the duration of the public health emergency.

The new guidance document released Thursday said that FDA has received “a number of reports related to increased demand and supply interruptions involving FDA-approved drug products used in the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19.”

Many of the drugs listed in the guidance are related to the practice of intubating patients or other similar care related to patients with COVID-19.

The guidance applies to hospitals that have registered with the agency as an outsourcing facility. The agency has an existing list of drugs that outsourcing facilities can compound and the guidance adds a series of anesthesia and other types of drugs to that list.

UPDATED: Thursday, April 16 at 9:10 a.m.

HCA, GE to help ramp ventilator supply

The Department of Health and Human Services announced a $336 million contract under the Defense Production Act to General Electric to develop ventilators in partnership with Ford.

The contract calls for 50,000 ventilators to be produced by July 13.

In total, HHS said it now has finalized contracts to produce or acquire 41,000 ventilators by the end of May and more than 187,000 by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, HCA Healthcare announced it will provide up to 1,000 ventilators as part of the American Hospital Association’s collaboration with the federal government and health systems to distribute the equipment to hospitals experiencing surges.

The Dynamic Ventilator Reserve will include an online inventory of ventilators and associated supplies, such as tubing and filters, to support the overall needs of combatting the COVID-19 pandemic, officials said. Hospitals and health systems will input into the database available equipment that they are able to lend to others.

Providers are then able to request access to this virtual inventory should their need for ventilators increase. The AHA will manage the inventory and work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to determine when ventilators might be needed to supplement the national emergency stockpile.

UPDATED: Wednesday, April 15 at 7:00 p.m.

White House COVID Task Force reports declining cases across the U.S.

Officials with the White House Coronavirus Task Force announced Wednesday that COVID-19 cases are declining across the country.

President Donald Trump also announced during a press briefing Wednesday that he would announce guidelines for states to start reopening communities on Thursday.

"It’s clear that our aggressive strategy is working. New cases are declining throughout the NYC metro area. Cases in the Detroit and Denver metro areas are flat. Washington DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, St. Louis, are all showing great signs of progress. New cases in Houston and New Orleans are declining," Trump said.

"Data suggest that nationwide we have passed the peak on new cases," he said.

Trump specifically called out the use of telemedicine to help combat the spread of the virus. "[Telemedicine] has grown by leaps and bounds in the past few weeks. Going forward, it's going to be important for our country," he said.

Deborah Birx, M.D., White House coronavirus response coordinator, said cases have been declining across the country in the past six days, highlighting that social distancing measures have been effective in stopping the spread. The task force continues to study COVID case trends in individual states and metro areas, she said.

"We remain concerned about Rhode Island and Providence. Providence has seen increasing cases from the New York City area and now the Boston area, it's caught between two incredible hot spots in the country," Birx said.

UPDATED: Wednesday, April 15 at 12:43 p.m.

StartUp Health to launch 'Pandemic Response Moonshot' during music festival

StartUp Health will launch a new moonshot aimed at pandemic response during "One World: Together at Home," a virtual music festival airing this weekend.

The event, curated by Lady Gaga and featuring dozens of celebrity performances, will air Saturday globally.

StartUp Health said that the "Pandemic Response Moonshot" will be a multi-year effort to support entrepreneurs who are developing solutions to prepare for and manage pandemics. In the immediate future, the group plans to invest in 10 startups that are building tools to address COVID-19 or future pandemics, with the intent to continue investing in the coming months.

Interested startups can apply here.

UPDATED: Wednesday, April 15 at 10:41 a.m.

Optum CEO Andrew Witty to assist WHO with vaccine development

UnitedHealth Group president and Optum CEO will take a leave of absence from the insurance giant to join the World Health Organization's efforts to accelerate the development of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Witty will return to UnitedHealth when his work with WHO is over, which is likely to be at the end of 2020. Witty's appointment begins April 20. In the interim, UnitedHealth Group CEO David Wichmann will oversee Optum.

"I am deeply honored to help lead this mission to seek a COVID-19 vaccine and am confident the people of Optum will remain relentless in their work to help their customers, communities and each other each day," Witty said in a statement. "I look forward to rejoining them on the other side of this crisis to continue helping make the health system work better for everyone."

Wichmann said in a statement that the insurer was proud of Witty's decision to join the vaccine development effort and that the company has the utmost confidence that he'll be effective in accelerating that process.

Witty was named CEO of Optum in March 2018 and was tapped to serve as UnitedHealth Group president in November 2019. He was previously CEO of pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline.

UPDATED: Tuesday, April 14, at 6:27 p.m.

Public-private partnership to distribute ventilators

A new public-private partnership was announced Tuesday to help distribute ventilators from facilities to other hospitals at the forefront of the COVID-19 outbreak fight.

The Dynamic Ventilator Reserve is a voluntary effort that includes the participation of the American Hospital Association and several other hospital systems. The announcement comes after a meeting with AHA and hospital system leaders at the White House and as providers in hard-hit areas are still struggling to find more ventilators to treat COVID-19 patients.

“This voluntary effort is a great example of their commitment to help one another, and as well as their patients and communities," said AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack in a statement Tuesday.

The reserve has created an online inventory of ventilators and related supplies such as tubes and filters.

“Hospitals and health systems will input into the database available equipment that they are able to lend to others in the country,” according to a release on the effort. “Providers are then able to access this virtual inventory as their need increases.”

Currently, there are 60,000 ventilators that are not in use, said Adam Boehler, former head of the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation during the White House press briefing Tuesday.

AHA said it will take the lead in managing the inventory and will work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for when the virtual inventory may need to be supplemented from the federal stockpile of medical supplies.

So far 20 health systems and hospitals have signed on to the effort, including Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic, Boehler said. CommonSpirit Health has also joined the effort.

UPDATED: Tuesday, April 14 at 4:50 p.m.

Cigna to offer virtual dental care

As more people embrace telehealth amid social distancing, Cigna is launching a new initiative to offer emergency dental consults virtually.

In a virtual visit, dentists can triage urgent needs such as pain, infection or swelling. When appropriate, they are able to prescribe antibiotics or pain medication through these visits, Cigna said.

The teledentistry visits will be available through Cigna's network dentists who offer telehealth and in partnership with The Teledentists, a national provider with more than 300 dentists.

Virtual dental care will be made available at no cost in Cigna's employer-sponsored health plans through May 31.

"We fast-tracked our efforts to launch Cigna Dental Virtual Care to help dentists and their patients access an urgent dental consult while minimizing their risk of COVID-19 exposure," said Frederick E. Scardellette, vice president of Cigna dental and vision, in a statement. "This virtual solution is a simple and convenient option to help our customers access care during this unprecedented time."

UPDATED: Tuesday, April 14 at 12:25 p.m.

Penn State, CHIME team up on global COVID-19 survey

Penn State University researchers have launched a global online survey to better understand public misconceptions about COVID-19 and identify populations whose behaviors put them at risk of infection.

Penn State has teamed up with the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) to distribute the survey, which is anonymous and offered in 20 languages.

The first round of data collection will end at midnight EDT April 20.

“As the world takes on the COVID-19 pandemic, the value of good information and the dangers of misinformation have become clear,” said Robert P. Lennon, M.D., an associate professor of family and community medicine at Penn State College of Medicine. “In fact, misinformation has always been one of the greatest challenges of pandemic infection. Only by understanding public misconceptions, planned compliance with prevention practices like social distancing and preferred information sources can we effectively ensure maximum public participation and minimize the spread of infection.”

A Penn State College of Medicine team developed the questionnaire to measure public knowledge about COVID-19, their intentions to follow recommended safety practices such as social distancing and hand washing, and their preferred method of receiving new information.

CHIME built the technology infrastructure for the survey along with its distribution. With members in 56 countries and 11 international chapters, CHIME will help distribute the survey on a global scale using platforms such as social media as well as partnerships with other organizations.

“At its core, this is really about saving lives,” said Russell Branzell, CHIME’s president and CEO. “It is critical that we reach as many people as possible and as quickly as we can. CHIME can help by using our membership, our strong relationships across the global healthcare ecosystem and our digital tools to distribute the link to the survey.”

UPDATED: Tuesday, April 14 at 12:02 p.m.

Kaiser Permanente expands benefits for frontline workers

Kaiser Permanente rolled out expanded benefits on Monday to frontline healthcare workers fighting the COVID-19 outbreak.

The temporary benefits include an additional 80 hours of paid leave for employees and physicians positive for the virus, childcare grants of up to $300 a week to help secure care for school-age children and short-term housing near the medical centers and specialty hubs to help those needing temporary or alternate housing.

“We recognize many of our staff are managing sudden and sometimes difficult changes in their personal and family lives while at the same time taking on these unprecedented challenges at work,” the system said.

Childcare has been a major issue for healthcare providers as schools have closed.

UPDATED: Monday, April 13 at 3:23 p.m.

Stanford Medicine is using data and digital tools to predict the next COVID-19 surge

Stanford Medicine scientists are working to create an "early warning system" that predicts the next surge in COVID-19 cases. Using a daily survey that tracks the occurrence of possible COVID-19 symptoms in communities could help raise the alarm far sooner and allow hospitals and healthcare workers to prepare, Lawrence “Rusty” Hofmann, M.D., a professor of radiology at Stanford School of Medicine, told FierceHealthcare. Hofmann, who is chief of interventional radiology at Stanford Hospital, worked with a team of epidemiologists and data scientists to develop the national daily health survey to help learn and predict which geographical areas will be most impacted by coronavirus based on how survey takers are feeling. The goal is to use survey responses to provide data that could flag communities at risk for a surge in cases of COVID-19 before they reach the hospital, Lawrence said.

UPDATED: Monday, April 13 at 12:08 p.m.

Cigna launches new program to connect with isolated seniors

The elderly, a population already at high-risk for isolation, are likely to be significantly impacted by social distancing amid COVID-19.

So, health insurer Cigna has launched a new program to boost social connectivity for 24,000 Medicare Advantage members. Cigna staffers are reaching out proactively to seniors in the program to check on their well-being, and participants can opt-in to receive further calls to help alleviate their loneliness.

"Our deep research into loneliness has shown us the undeniable correlation between our emotional and physical health," said Douglas Nemecek, M.D., chief medical officer of behavioral health at Cigna, in a statement. "With so many older Americans living alone and sheltering in place right now, we want to go the extra mile to help support, engage and connect with them during this unprecedented time."

Cigna is looking to rapidly expand further to reach more MA members.

Cigna workers also made 2,500 cards to be distributed at senior communities, which are largely not accepting visitors at this time, through Bring Smiles to Seniors.

UPDATED: Friday, April 10 at 1:25 p.m.

AHIP to make annual meeting virtual

America’s Health Insurance Plans, the top insurance lobbying group in the U.S., announced it will move its annual AHIP Institute & Expo 2020 expected to take place June 16-18 to a virtual setting. It was originally supposed to take place in Miami.

AHIP said on Tuesday that it will bring the keynote presentation, panel discussions and other sessions from remote locations.

“Attendees can also participate in Q&A with speakers, engage with each other and meet with exhibitors,” AHIP said.

The expo is the latest major healthcare conference to be delayed, cancelled or go virtual.

Major conferences such as HIMSS20 and the World Health Care Congress decided to cancel or be postponed as the novel coronavirus started to spread at a higher rate in the U.S.

UPDATED: Thursday, April 9, at 12:27 p.m.

Walgreens rolls out new telehealth features, digital health tools

Walgreens has expanded its Walgreens Find Care digital platform to include new telehealth services, a COVID-19 risk assessment tool and Find My Clinical Trial program.

The launch of new digital health tools coincides with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to use telehealth to help address medical needs while supporting social distancing, an important step in managing the impact of COVID-19, the company said.

Through the Walgreens digital platform, patients can now connect with more than 30 providers who treat over 100 conditions.

Walgreens has rolled out a COVID-19 Risk Assessment, powered by Microsoft Healthcare Bot which runs on Microsoft Azure, to help users assess their risk of COVID-19 based on CDC guidelines. Additionally, on Walgreens Find Care, patients can learn more about COVID-19 clinical trials by using the Find My Clinical Trial program.

Use of the Walgreens mobile app is up 22% compared to the same time last year and 12% year-to-date as more patients turn to digital health services during the pandemic, according to the company.

“Connecting patients to telehealth services from trusted local providers is more important now than ever before as people turn to digital solutions to help minimize exposure to COVID-19,” said Richard Ashworth, Walgreens President.

UPDATED: Thursday, April 9, at 12:13 p.m.

AMA provides new resource guide for retired physicians

The biggest doctor group in the country is putting together a resource guide for volunteer physicians pressed into service to combat COVID-19.

The guide released Thursday by the American Medical Association provides a “curated selection of helpful health resources from across the nation,” the group said.

“With up-to-date information just a click away, frontline physicians and health care workers will have what they need to tackle the challenges of COVID-19,” said AMA President Patrice Harris.

So far seven states — California, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, New Jersey, New York and Washington —have created registration sites for physicians and healthcare professionals to volunteer and help overwhelmed providers.

AMA added the continually updated platform will connect physicians with states requesting volunteer medical personnel and provide information on licensure requirements and registration.

UPDATED: Thursday, April 9 at 11:58 a.m.

VA hits pause on Cerner EHR project; Trump appoints new acting VA Deputy Secretary

President Donald Trump has ordered Pamela Powers, the Department of Veterans Affairs' chief of staff to serve as VA's acting deputy secretary.

Powers began duties as deputy VA secretary April 2 and will concurrently hold both of her current roles indefinitely, the department said.

In February, former VA Deputy Secretary James Byrne was abruptly dismissed. In his five months at the agency, Byrne was a key leader updating members of Congress on the progress and challenges of the VA's electronic health record implementation project.

The VA also is hitting pause on its $16 billion EHR project to transition from its customized VistA platform to a Cerner EHR system. VA Secretary Robert Wilkie confirmed the delay in a letter to Congress, writing that he had directed the agency's office of EHR modernization to take a "non-intrusive posture."

It's the second delay in recent months. The VA decided in mid-February to push off its go-live date for the new EHR at its first VA hospital. The VA had planned to flip the switch on the new EHR at Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center in Spokane, Washington on March 28. The VA recently announced it was delaying those plans to commence end-user training. The go-live date has been pushed to July, at the earliest.

Cerner said in a statement that it "fully supports the VA’s decision to adopt a non-intrusive posture."

"Cerner is actively working with VA to reassess and revise deployment timelines while pushing forward on critical elements of the program including but not limited to: launching the new joint HIE (health information exchange), technical build, interfaces, IP and program management – keeping the electronic health record modernization on track for a successful go-live," the company said.

UPDATED: Thursday, April 9 at 11:31 a.m.

Insurer groups urge Congress to mitigate COVID-19 coverage losses

The two biggest insurance industry groups sent a letter (PDF) to leaders in Congress, asking them to take several steps to address ongoing coverage losses due to COVID-19.

America's Health Insurance Plans and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association wrote in the letter that as more Americans become unemployed due to the pandemic, they need support to maintain health coverage.

Steps the groups suggest include subsides for employers to maintain benefits, which should be maid available to employers of all sizes, and full federal subsidization of COBRA benefits for workers who've lost their jobs.

AHIP and BCBSA also call for a special enrollment period on the Affordable Care Act exchanges, and for risk mitigation programs in commercial plans, Medicare Advantage and Part D.

"The steps we lay out here are critical to assure that people can maintain the coverage and care that they need and that health insurance providers can continue to partner with their members, provider partners and communities to provide the coverage that people count on," the groups wrote.

UPDATED: Wednesday, April 8, at 9:21 p.m.

HHS releases tracking tool on COVID-19 grants

Health and Human Services has updated its website called the Tracking Accountbility in Government Grants System with new information on the grants and funding awarded to providers associated with fighting the COVID-19 outbreak.

The announcement late Wednesday comes a day after the Trump administration said it will disperse $30 billion in grants to providers this week. The grants are part of a $100 billion fund passed with the latest economic stimulus package.

The website details not just funding from the stimulus but other appropriations that Congress has made over the past month to help providers combat the COVID-19 outbreak, which has wreaked hospital finances.

The TAGGS website includes a map detailing the amounts given out to each state and the amounts each agency has delivered.

UPDATED: Wednesday, April 8, at 2:27 p.m.

MUSC Health to lay off 900 workers

As provider finances continue to take a hit amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many are turning to lay offs, furloughs and pay cuts to stay afloat.

One of the latest is MUSC Health, based in Charleston, S.C., which will temporarily 900 healthcare workers and cut pay for remaining employees, WCSC 5 reported.

Leadership will take a 20% salary reduction, and other employees will see a 15% pay cut. Hourly paid workers who are not caring for patients directly will see their time at work cut back.

President David Cole called the layoffs and pay cuts a "workforce realignment" as COVID-19 puts strain on the health system's finances.

"I wish the reality we are confronting were a different one," Cole wrote in a latter to staffers obtained by WCSC. "I hope there is some small comfort in knowing that we will do all that we possibly can to ensure that such large-scale disruption to individuals’ lives, in and outside of MUSC, is not in vain and as short as possible."

UPDATED: Wednesday, April 8, at 12:42 p.m.

Study: COVID-19 costs could hit $556 billion over two years

A new study estimates that health plans could see as much as $556 billion in costs related to testing and treatment for the novel coronavirus over the next two years.

The analysis, backed by America's Health Insurance Plans and conducted by Wakely Consulting Group, estimates that a midrange impact of the pandemic could sicken more than 50 million Americans and lead to 5.5 million hospitalizations, of which 1.3 million will be in intensive care.

The analysis is based on data on the pandemic from between March 20 and 28.

Depending on how far the virus spreads, the consultants estimate costs on the low end at $56 billion through 2020 and 2021.

"Protecting Americans’ health and financial stability always has been, and always will be, our first priority,” said Matt Eyles, president and CEO of AHIP. “This new data provides us with better insight to help policymakers, private sector leaders, and other stakeholders understand the investments required to successfully care for every American subjected to this life-threatening virus."

UPDATED: Wednesday, April 8, at 12:23 p.m.

HHS awards $1.3B to health centers for COVID-19 response

The Department of Health and Human Services has awarded $1.8 billion to nearly 1,400 community health centers to assist with their response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The funds were made available by the sweeping $2 trillion stimulus bill, or the CARES Act, and are provided through the Health Resources and Services Administration. The funding may be used to assist to detect the virus, assist in treatment and prevention and to maintain or increase staffing levels as necessary.

"This new funding secured by President Trump will help our community health centers continue the work they're doing on the ground against the coronavirus," said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. "HRSA-funded health centers are already playing a critical role by delivering essential services, serving as community testing and screening sites, and alleviating burdens on our nation's emergency rooms and hospitals."

UPDATED: Wednesday, April 8, at 11:22 a.m.

Democratic congressional leaders press for another $100B for hospitals

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called for an additional economic stimulus package to combat the COVID-19 outbreak, and among the demands are $100 billion for hospitals.

The congressional leaders sent out a statement Wednesday calling for the extra funding as part of a $500 billion package that would also contain funding for small businesses and state and local governments, according to a report on CNBC.

Congress already passed a $2.2 trillion economic stimulus package a few weeks ago that included $100 billion for hospitals.

But providers have questioned if the $100 billion is going to be enough as their revenues dwindle and capacity must ramp up to combat COVID-19.

UPDATED: Tuesday, April 7 at 3:18 p.m.

At-home medical kit maker Tyto Care raises $50M as demand for virtual care soars

Tyto Care has raised $50 million in its latest funding round as interest in virtual care solutions grows amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company makes an at-home medical exam and telehealth device kit. The funding round, co-led by Insight Partners, Olive Tree Ventures, and Qualcomm Ventures LLC, brings the company’s total funding to over $105 million.

Previous investors including Orbimed, Echo Health, Qure, and Teuza also participated in the oversubscribed funding round.

In the wake of COVID-19, health systems and hospitals are expanding their use of telehealth and remote monitoring technologies to treat infected patients and help stem the spread of COVID-19.

"Since the start of the crisis, we’ve seen an increase in demand from both consumers and health systems," said Dedi Gilad, CEO and co-founder of Tyto Care.

UPDATED: Tuesday, April 7 at 10:52 a.m.

Lyft grows access to non-emergency transport amid pandemic

Lyft said Tuesday that its ride-share services will be covered by Medicaid in Florida, Indiana and South Carolina, the latest partnerships for non-emergency transport coverage.

The ride-share company said in a blog post that these benefits can be critical in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lyft said that it's also working with health systems to provide transportation for health workers and expanding delivery partnerships.

"Lyft can play an essential role supporting public health and helping keep our communities safe during this crisis," the company said. "Today more than ever, we have a shared responsibility to support each other, and we’ll continue to do everything we can to help make reliable transportation available to patients and healthcare workers during these challenging times."

UPDATED: Monday, April 6 at 6:11 p.m.

Trump: $30 billion to be distributed this week to hospitals

President Trump announced that $30 billion will be distributed to hospitals this week as more and more systems furlough workers.

Trump did not divulge how the funding, which is part of the $100 billion fund passed with the economic stimulus package, will be diverted to hospitals.

Hospital groups have been pressing the administration to provide direct assistance to hospitals as soon as possible. Systems have faced low patient volume and dwindling revenue due to the cancellation of elective procedures.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services previously announced it expanded the agency’s accelerated and advance payment program to all providers to get faster Medicare payments to facilities.

UPDATED: Monday, April 6 at 12:51 p.m.

Hilton, American Express donate up to 1 million room nights for healthcare workers

McLean, Va.-based hotel chain Hilton and financial giant American Express announced Monday they are teaming up to donate up to 1 million hotel room nights.

Starting next week, the rooms will be made available for free to doctors, nurses, EMTs, paramedics and other frontline medical staff who need a place to sleep, recharge or isolate from their families through the end of May.

Hilton is initially working with 10 associations that collectively represent more than 1 million healthcare workers to provide access to the program. Those associations include the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, the American College of Emergency Physician, the American Hospital Association, the American Nurses Association, the Emergency Medicine Residents’ Association, the Emergency Nurses Association, the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, the Society of Critical Care Medicine, the Society of Emergency Medicine Physician Assistants and the Society of Hospital Medicine.

The rooms are aimed at helping individuals who might have otherwise had to spend their own money on the accommodations.

“During this crisis, we have seen so many examples of medical professionals working in the most challenging circumstances, sacrificing their own needs for the greater good. They truly are heroes,” said Hilton President and CEO, Christopher J. Nassetta said in a statement. “We are honored to extend our Hilton hospitality to them during this difficult time.”

American Express is joining in Hilton in the donation of the rooms, which will be provided at or below cost by Hilton’s network of independent owners and franchisees. Rooms will be available across a variety of Hilton brands, including Hampton by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, DoubleTree by Hilton and others. Officials said the hotels will be "staffed by team members who have received additional training on relevant health and safety measures to safeguard their own and their guests’ well-being."

UPDATED: Monday, April 6 at 11:47 a.m.

CVS launches drive-thru testing sites in Georgia, Rhode Island

CVS Health announced Monday that it has teamed up with local officials in Georgia and Rhode Island to launch new drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites.

Licensed MinuteClinic providers will oversee the sites, CVS said, and testing will be available at no cost. CVS opened its first drive-thru testing location in Massachusetts on March 19, and the lessons learned there will be brought to Georgia and Rhode Island.

"Thanks to our partnerships with state officials and the utilization of advanced technology, our providers will be able to test large numbers of people in these states and make real-time decisions about treatment and appropriate next steps," said Troyen Brennan, M.D., chief medical officer and executive vice president of CVS Health, in a statement.

The testing sites will use the new Abbott ID NOW test.

UPDATED: Monday, April 6 at 11:17 a.m.

Omada expands access to mental health program for employers, health plans

Omada Health is making its program for stress, anxiety, and depression accessible at no cost for the next six months to all U.S.-based employers and commercial health plans.

The digital health company is well-known for its online diabetes prevention program that uses digital tools and coaching.

Omada uses a similar approach for its Omada for its behavioral health program that incorporates clinically validated, evidence-based methods and matches participants with dedicated behavioral health coaches.

The company said employers and health plans, and their covered populations will now have access to behavioral health coaching powered by Omada’s technology to provide real human support and teach techniques that reduce symptoms. The offer comes as more than 60% of Americans have reported increased stress or anxiety due to COVID-19, the company said.

“We are living in a moment of collective, and unprecedented, stress and anxiety,” said Omada CEO and Co-Founder Sean Duffy. “Omada has the opportunity—and the ability—to deliver personalized support to people as they deal with the impact of a situation unlike anything we’ve experienced. Our coaches, and our digital care program, are uniquely positioned to provide human expertise and empathy at scale. For the next six months, we are here for any organization that wants to provide Omada for Behavioral Health to their populations.”

Interested organizations can email: [email protected].

UPDATED: Monday, April 6 at 10:34 a.m.

AHIP reaches out to hospitals to combat COVID-19

America’s Health Insurance Plans, the top insurance industry lobbying group, told a major hospital group that it is working to expedite processing of claims and other moves to help facilities get through the COVID-19 outbreak.

But the group stopped short of pledging to eliminate prior authorization and certain payment edits that can delay payments to hospitals strapped for cash.

The American Hospital Association wrote to leaders of the top insurers and lobbying groups on Friday urging them to help hospitals that are low on cash due to fewer patients coming in and the cancellation of elective procedures.

The letter asked for insurers to provide periodic interim payments and/or accelerated payments for the duration of the public health emergency. The Trump administration is doing something similar for the Medicare program.

It also called for providing adequate coverage and reimbursement of services for hospitals and in alternative sites of care.

AHIP wrote to the AHA on Monday that insurers want to help hospitals that are under “enormous clinical and financial stress and health insurance providers stand strong with you.”

AHIP said insurers are largely waiving costs and treatment for COVID-19 patients, expanding access to telehealth, and partnering to “accelerate the pace of patient treatment, transfers, discharges and payments to eliminate administrative work.”

The group added that providers are eliminating administrative work to help hospitals and providers and that insurers are “committed to expediting claims processing to ensure that payments are paid as quickly as possible.”

But AHIP's letter doesn’t mention waiving prior authorization, which providers say creates major administrative burdens but insurers employ to control costs on pricey drugs.

UPDATED: Saturday, April 4 at 6:30 p.m.

White House says next two weeks will be "deadly"

President Donald Trump warned Saturday that the next two weeks would be "deadly" in the U.S.

Speaking during a White House Coronavirus Task Force press briefing about the federal government's response to the outbreak, Trump said, "Over the next week and two weeks, this is going to be a deadly period. We’re going to make it so we lose as few lives as possible."

Deborah Birx, M.D., the White House's coronavirus response coordinator, said hot spot locations such as Louisiana, Detroit and New York City and "bedroom communities" around those metro areas are predicted to hit peak mortality for coronavirus cases in the next "six to seven days."

Birx referenced data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, an independent global health research center at the University of Washington. According to IHME, New York is projected to hit peak daily deaths from COVID on April 10 with 855 deaths.

Trump also announced at the briefing that some 1,000 military troops, mostly doctors and nurses, are deploying to New York City.

On the subject of critical medical supplies, Trump said he would use the Defense Production Act for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to order 180 million masks for medical workers.

Birx also said the task force had concerns about rising cases in Pennsylvania, Colorado and Washington D.C.

"We’re watching them because they are starting to go on the upside of the curve. We’re hoping and believing that if people mitigate strongly, the work that they did over last two weeks will blunt that curve and won’t have the same upward slope and peak that New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and parts of Rhode Island are having," she said.

She added, "The next two weeks are extraordinarily important," referring to the need for people to maintain social distancing guidelines.

Vice President Mike Pence and White House officials also praised the work of U.S. healthcare workers during the outbreak.

"I don’t think people can appreciate the extraordinary efforts by these people," said Anthony Fauci, M.D., director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. "These brave warriors in the hospitals are giving life saving treatment to people and every single day putting themselves at risk. We owe a phenomenal debt of gratitude to these people."

UPDATED: Friday, April 3 at 7:00 p.m.

CDC recommends general public wear "non-medical cloth-based" masks

President Donald Trump said Friday that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that Americans wear "non-medical, cloth" masks in public.

Recent studies have shown that the transmission of the virus from individuals without symptoms is playing a more significant role in the spread of the virus than what was previously believed.

"In light of these studies, the CDC is advising the use of non-medical cloth-based covering as part of voluntary public health measures," Trump said during a White House Coronavirus Task Force briefing.

“You can do it. You don’t have to do it. I’m choosing not to do it,” Trump said. “It’s only a recommendation.”

U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams, M.D., said the CDC and the World Health Organization had originally recommended against the general public wearing masks. "The best evidence available at the time indicated that masks were not deemed to have a significant impact on a healthy person contracting COVID. We always recommend that symptomatic persons wear masks."

He added, "We now know from recent studies that a significant portion of people with COVID lack symptoms. In light of new evidence, CDC and the Task Force recommends Americans wear cloth-based masks" to slow the spread of the virus.

The CDC is recommending the use of "basic cloth or fabric masks made at home or purchased online" and face coverings that can be easily washed or reused.

The CDC is not recommending the use of surgical grade or medical grade masks by the general public.

"Surgical masks or N95 respirators should continue to be reserved for healthcare workers," Adams said.

In response to the guidance, the American Hospital Association, the American Medical Association, and the American Nurses Association issued a statement calling on the public to "be mindful of the need to ensure N95 respirators and medical-grade surgical masks remain prioritized for doctors, nurses and other front line caregivers and workers."

"As this pandemic spreads, our organizations will continue to urge that all levers be used by both the government and private sector to ensure front line caregivers have the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) they need to protect themselves and their patients," the healthcare groups wrote.

UPDATED: Friday, April 3 at 3:20 p.m.

Healthcare lost 43K jobs in March

More than 43,000 healthcare jobs were lost in March, according to the latest federal data.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports total nonfarm payroll employment fell by 701,000 in March, and the unemployment rate rose to 4.4% as a result of the effects of COVID-19 and efforts to contain it.

Employmen