COVID - 19 Information

COVID-19 News Alert: HHS Provider Relief Fund Phase 2 General Distribution Now Accepting Additional Applicants

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USCMSMEDICAID/bulletins/299bca5

On July 31, 2020, HHS announced that certain Medicare providers would be given another opportunity to receive additional Provider Relief Fund payments. These are providers who previously missed the June 3, 2020 deadline to apply for additional funding equal to 2 percent of their total patient care revenue from the $20 billion portion of the $50 billion Phase 1 General Distribution, including many Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and dental providers with low Medicare revenues. In addition, certain providers who experienced a change in ownership, making them previously ineligible for Phase 1 funding, will also be given an opportunity to apply for financial relief.

Starting August 10th, these eligible providers may now submit their application for possible funds by August 28, 2020. This deadline aligns with the extended deadline for other eligible Phase 2 providers, such as Medicaid, Medicaid managed care, CHIP, and dental providers.

Latest Eligible Providers for Phase 2 General Distribution Funding

Providers who were ineligible for the Phase 1 General Distribution because:

· They underwent a change in ownership in calendar year 2019 or 2020 under Medicare Part A; and

· Did not have Medicare Fee-For-Service revenue in 2019.

Providers who received a payment under Phase 1 General Distribution but:

· Missed the June 3 deadline to submit revenue information – including many Medicaid, CHIP, and dental providers with low Medicare revenues that assumed they were ineligible for additional distribution targeted at Medicare providers or had planned to apply for a Medicaid and CHIP specific distribution; or

· Did not receive Phase 1 General Distribution payments totaling approximately 2 percent of their annual patient revenue.

Providers who previously received Phase 1 General Distribution payment(s), but rejected and returned the funds and are now interested in reapplying.

Again, all eligible providers will only receive funding of up to 2 percent of their reported total revenue from patient care. Therefore, for providers who have already received a Phase 1 General Distribution payment from HHS, the previous amount received and kept will be taken into account when determining the eligible amount for Phase 2 General Distribution payment. All payment recipients must accept HHS's terms and conditions and may be subject to auditing to ensure the data provided to HHS for payment calculation are accurate.

HHS has been hosting a series of informational webinars to address questions and support providers through the application process. The next provider and provider organization webinar will be held on Thursday, August 13, 2020.

For the latest information on the Provider Relief Fund Program, visit: hhs.gov/providerrelief.

DIRECT ACCESS RESTORED FOR PHYSICAL THERAPIST SERVICES

Last night, Empire State Development revised its Essential Business Guidance to remove the language that had required physical therapy patients to have a referral from a medical professional. Physical therapists are now able to practice to the full extent of their scope in all regions in the State. As a reminder, physical therapy offices are required to complete a written safety plan (NY Forward Safety Plan available here), and adhere to the Department of Health cleaning protocols. NYPTA worked with the Governor’s Office over the past few weeks to remove the restriction on direct access that had previously been included in the Essential Business Guidance, and is pleased that physical therapists are now able to treat all patients seeking care in New York.

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New York State Department of Health - New York Early Intervention System (NYEIS) issues updated Guidance for Home and Community-Based Services Regarding COVID-19

Frequently Asked Technical Assistance Questions Related to Implementation of Virtual Early Intervention Visits During COVID-19 Declared State of Emergency

SUPPLEMENT #2 - PROVISION OF SERVICES TO STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES DURING STATEWIDE SCHOOL CLOSURES DUE TO NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) OUTBREAK IN NEW YORK STATE - QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

SUPPLEMENT #3 - PROVISION OF SERVICES TO STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES DURING STATEWIDE SCHOOL CLOSURES DUE TO NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) OUTBREAK IN NEW YORK STATE - QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

BCBS New York Western posts REMINDER: Medical Preauthorization Requirements to Resume After June 18

We want to remind you that all temporarily suspended preauthorization requirements will be back in effect after June 18, 2020.



We temporarily lifted requirements on medical preauthorization for 90 days to help reduce administrative burden during the COVID-19 state of emergency. This change was for claims with dates of service on or after March 20 through June 18 and has applied to all provider types, facilities, and specialties.



Although these requirements were temporarily removed, we have asked providers to continue to follow appropriate medical necessity. With some facilities beginning to schedule elective surgeries, we may retrospectively review some of these services.



For more information, please consult our COVID-19 Provider FAQs

REMINDER: Medical Preauthorization Requirements to Resume

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NEW YORK OSHA TOWN HALL WEBINAR RECORDING - JUNE 11, 2020

NEW YORK OSHA TOWN HALL POWERPOINT PRESENTATION - JUNE 11, 2020

NEW YORK OSHA TOWN HALL - RESOURCE SHEET

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GUIDANCE FOR DETERMINING WHETHER A BUSINESS ENTERPRISE IS SUBJECT TO A WORKFORCE REDUCTION UNDER RECENT EXECUTIVE ORDERS

NY FORWARD SAFETY PLAN TEMPLATE

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - NY FORWARD AND BUSINESS REOPENING

Letter From NYPTA President

To my PT, PTA and student colleagues,

As we begin life under New York State’s PAUSE mandates, I want to assure you that NYPTA will continue to support all NY physical therapists, physical therapist assistants and students by providing the most accurate information available on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our practice.

New York State was able to confirm for NYPTA this weekend that physical therapists are considered part of the “essential health care” exemption under the guidance issued in relation to the in - person workforce restrictions in place through Executive Order 202.8.

NYPTA continues to support APTA’s Statement on Patient Care and Practice Management during the COVID-19 Outbreak that “encourages physical therapists to use their professional judgment to determine when, where, and how to provide care…”

However, with the increasing spread of the Coronavirus in NYS and the current NYS PAUSE Executive Order, NYPTA believes physical therapists should provide in-person services only when essential to the patient’s recovery or the patient’s setting (i.e. hospital, skilled nursing facility), physical therapists should defer in-person services that are not essential, and transition to services via telehealth to the greatest extent possible.

Resources on the use of telehealth by physical therapists in NYS were provided to all members via a blast email yesterday. Updated information will be provided as it is available.

In cases where physical therapists, using their professional judgment, have determined that in-person care is essential, all staff must be diligent in observing all current infection control procedures mandated by public health officials (CDC, New York State Department of Health or local health officials) such as screening for symptoms, taking staff and patients’ temperatures, wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, disinfecting clinic equipment and surfaces and maintaining social distancing as much as possible in the clinic.

As a professional organization, NYPTA cannot advise PT practices if they should stay open or close. Since we are living in an ever changing environment, you should check with this website (https://esd.ny.gov/guidance-executive-order-2026) and your own legal counsel for further information and guidance.

I understand the uncertainty that these unprecedented events have created but am hopeful we can all work together to do the best for our patients, our colleagues and our communities.

Be safe and stay healthy,

PEGGY LYNAM, PT, DPT

NYPTA President

RESOURCES/ADVOCACY TOOLS

ADVOCACY

LETTER TO WC ON TELEHEALTH

APTA Template Letter to CMS - Expanding Telehealth

LATEST NEWS:

CMS issues waivers for PT/OT/SLP to provide Telehealth Services to Medicare beneficiaries

LATEST EMAIL BLAST





ESD GUIDANCE ON ESSENTIAL BUSINESS











SURVEYS:

NYPTA Employment Impact Statement



NYS Department of Health Reserve Workforce Survey

LATEST INFORMATION REGARDING THE DISEASE:

Centers for Disease Control

NYS Department of Health

Resources for Home: Plan, Prepare and Respond to Coronavirus

Cleaning Products for Optimal Disinfection - NYS Registered List of Disinfectants

NYS AGENCIES RESOURCES:

NYS Department of Health - COVID-19

NYS Education Department - Information and Guidance on COVID-19

NYS Early Intervention Program Memoranda, Guidance & Clinical Practice Guidelines

NYSED Provision of Services to Students with Disabilities During School Closures - COVID-19

CMS RESOURCES:

Medicare Coverage and Payment of Virtual Services - video



CMS Issues New Wave of Infection Control Guidelines to Protect Patients and Healthcare Workers



Medicare and the Coronavirus

CMS COVID-19 Partner Toolkit

CMS Long-Term Care Nursing Homes Telehealth & Telemedicine Toolkit







PRACTICE RESOURCES:

APTA

APTA Cardio-Pulmonary Section Resources

APTA Learning Center Offers Free Online Courses

FSBPT Resource on Possible Roles for PTs and PTAs During COVID-19

Home and Community-Based PT Management of Adults with Post-Intensive Care Syndrome

APTA Private Practice Section (PPS)

APTA PPS COVID-19 FAQs

Practice Guidelines Emerge for Physical Therapy and COVID-19 in Acute Hospital Setting

TELEHEALTH:

APTA Telehealth Resources

Telehealth in Physical Therapy in Light of COVID-19



Information for Insurers/Providers-Coverage for Telehealth Services

BlueShield New York Northeastern posts Expanding Patient Care through Telehealthduring COVID-19

Current State Laws and Reimbursement Policies - Center for Connected Health Policy

Emblem Health Posts COVID-19 Update for Providers

Empire BCBS Waives Patient Cost Sharing for all Telehealth Services

What codes would be appropriate to consider for telemedicine (live video + audio via app) and telehealth (telephonic with video capability) for physical, occupational, and speech therapies?

During the emergency period, Empire will waive member cost shares for telemedicine and telehealth visits for the following physical, occupational and speech therapies for visits coded with Place of Service (POS) code 02 and modifier “95” or “GT”:

Physical therapy (PT) evaluation codes 97161, 97162, 97163 and 97164

Occupational (OT) therapy evaluation codes 97165, 97166, 97167 and 97168

PT/OT treatment codes 97110, 97112, 97530 and 97535

Speech therapy (ST) evaluation codes 92521, 92522, 92523 and 92524

ST treatment codes 92507, 92526, 92606 and 92609

PT/OT codes that require equipment and/or direct physical hands-on interaction and therefore are not appropriate via telehealth include: 97010-97028, 97032-97039, 97113-97124, 97139-97150, 97533 and 97537-97546. https://providernews.empireblue.com/article/information-from-empire-for-care-providers-about-covid-19-updated-april-15-2020

Empire BCBS - Information for Providers about COVID-19 - Telehealth Information/Coding

Excellus BCBS - Telehealth Billing and Reimbursement Information

MVP Health posts COVID-19 Provider Updates

United Health Plan - Telehealth Information and Coding for PT Services

Cigna Response to COVID-19 - Telehealth and Coding for PT Services

NYPTA Information/Resources on Telehealth

FAQs Related to Virtual Early Intervention Visits

NYS Early Intervention Program Consent for Use of Telehealth

NYS WC Emergency Rule to Allow Telemedicine

NYS No-Fault Insurance Emergency Rule

Telehealth Updates from WebPT

Furnishing & Billing E-Visits-Addressing your Questions-APTA

WEBINARS

Cardio-Pulmonary Section Webinars

Social Distancing for Rehab Therapists - Net Health

Cardiovascular Pulmonary Section

Webinar: COVID-19 - Clinical Best Practice in Physical Therapy Management

Academy of Acute Care Physical Therapy and HPT - The Catalyst Acute Care Physical Therapy

FREE Webinar Recording and Accompanying Resources now available from Academy of Acute Care Physical Therapy and HPA-The Catalyst"Acute Care Physical Therapy and COVID-19: How Can We Add the Greatest Value?"

Please download this document which contains the recording link and handouts from this jam-packed informational webinar on COVID-19 and learn how you can add the greatest value!

Download the information today!

Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy

The Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy created a web page with online resources for our educators and clinicians to use with their students and patients. We are also posting personal development ideas. These have been submitted by our members and is going update daily. Feel free to share these resources with your members.

http://neuropt.org/professional-resources/covid-19-resources





SOCIAL MEDIA GROUPS:

Facebook: Telehealth PT/E-Visit - NY Group

Facebook: Telehealth Physical Therapy Providers (PT-Physio)



HUMAN RESOURCES:

Notice of Federal Law on Paid Sick and Other Leave - effective 4/1/2020

Additional information - Federal Law

Notice of NYS Law on Paid Sick and Other Leave - now in effect

Additional Information - NYS Law

Resources for Businesses and Employers

US Department of Labor - Safety/Wages, Hours, Leave/Unemployment

NYS Paid Leave for COVID-19

NYS Unemployment Resources

BUSINESS RESOURCES:

CARES Act Provider Relief Funding Information

Guidance on Determining Essential Businesses - NYS Executive Order

How to Navigate the New Stimulus Bill as a Practice Owner - Breakthrough Marketing

Navigating your Business During the COVID-19 Pandemic - Whiteman, Osterman and Hanna, LLP

US Small Business Administration - Guidance and Loan Resources

Coronavirus Emergency Loans - Small Business Guide & Checklist

Payroll Protection Program Loan Calculations