Provider Relief Fund deadline extended to Aug. 3

HHS has extended the deadline for eligible Medicaid and CHIP physicians and organizations to submit information and apply for funding from the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund to Aug. 3. (The previous deadline was July 20.) HHS is distributing approximately $15 billion to eligible physicians who have not previously received a payment from the Provider Relief Fund. The payment amount will be at least 2% of reported gross revenue from patient care, and the final amount will be determined based on submitted data, including the number of Medicaid patients served. HHS has created a fact sheet explaining the application process and answering frequently asked questions. 

The AMA has made HHS aware of an issue where physicians who primarily care for patients with Medicaid and CHIP coverage received a small amount of money from the automatic Medicare allotment in April because they treated one or two patients with end-stage renal disease. They are ineligible to apply for this round of funding even if they rejected and returned the money. HHS has indicated they are working on a policy to address this issue. The AMA will continue to engage HHS to address this situation.  

MIPS opt-out for 2020 

CMS announced that physicians may opt-out completely or partially from the 2020 MIPS program by completing a hardship exemption application and indicating it is due to the COVID-19 PHE. Individual clinicians and group practices have until Dec. 31 to complete the hardship application. 

CMS will provide some options on the hardship exemption application, according to the AMA. For example, a practice may submit a hardship application and indicate that they do not want to be scored on Cost and Quality and have their score calculated based on just promoting interoperability and improvement activities. Alternatively, practices may submit a hardship application and opt-out of all four performance categories and be held harmless from a 2022 payment adjustment. Submitting any MIPS data to CMS will override the hardship exception application, and physicians will be scored on their submission.

Key provisions of latest COVID-19 relief package 

This week, the AMA released its summary of key provisions in the fourth COVID-19 relief package, known as the Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection and Schools (HEALS) Act. The package consists of eight separate bills addressing a broad range of issues, such as restaurant worker support, reopening schools and medical supply chain problems.

 ‘Telemedicine Hack’ online learning collaborative offered

HHS is offering a 10-week learning opportunity designed to speed the implementation of telemedicine among ambulatory care providers. This flyer has additional information and a link to sign up. Although the series has already begun, it’s not too late to register for future sessions, which continue through Sept. 23.

Surprise billing

Yesterday, July 29, the AMA, ISMA and 113 other state medical associations and national specialty societies wrote to congressional leaders, asking them to address surprise billing separately from current and future COVID-19 relief proposals. The letter notes that legislation to address the COVID-19 PHE is not the appropriate vehicle or time to address surprise billing, since many important details remain in dispute.

Scope-of-practice, licensure waivers for COVID-19

ISMA also signed on to an AMA letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The letter urges CMS to sunset temporary waivers involving scope of practice and licensure when the COVID-19 PHE concludes, to ensure a full return to physician-led team-based care.