APRIL 2, 2020
TOMORROW: Q&A WEBINAR FOR VAYA HEALTH PROVIDERS Friday, April 3, 2020, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Please join us for our third COVID-19 Q&A Webinar. Registration is not required. There is no limit to the number of attendees who can join. Please note this will be a live broadcast. All attendees will be muted. Attendees will be able to submit questions for the presenters through the Q&A feature. JOIN VIA MICROSOFT TEAMS
REGULATORY CHANGES TO HELP U.S. HEALTHCARE SYSTEM ADDRESS PATIENT SURGE On March 30, 2020, CMS announced regulatory changes to help the nation’s healthcare system address the COVID-19 patient surge. During the public health emergency, ambulances can transport patients to a wider range of locations when other transportation is not medically appropriate. These destinations include community mental health centers, federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), physician’s offices, urgent care facilities, ambulatory surgery centers and any locations furnishing dialysis services when an ESRD facility is not available. Vaya network providers should be aware that county emergency services personnel may be initiating contact to facilitate transportation planning.
GUIDANCE FOR INFECTION CONTROL AND PREVENTION OF COVID-19 IN LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH SETTINGS N.C. DHHS and the Division of Health Service Regulation (DSHR) provided additional guidance on March 10, 2020, to licensed mental health settings to help improve infection
control practices and to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. Read more: Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Licensed Mental Health Settings
USING TELEHEALTH: PRACTICE SUPPORT FOR COVID-19 PREPAREDNESS WEBINAR Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7 - 8 a.m. Get free assistance from the Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) to help expand telemedicine services – including telehealth, virtual check-ins, e-visits and telephone visits – through this video teleconferencing series. Learn more about platforms, billing and workflows. Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions, share resources and learn from practices that are transitioning to telemedicine services during the COVID-19 outbreak and beyond. Learn more: Using Telehealth: Practice Support for COVID-19 Preparedness H a v e q u e s t i o n s ? Submit them to MAHEC’s subject matter experts in advance by emailing L o u r d e s . L o r e n z - M i l l e r @ m a h e c . n e t . Previous sessions: Telemedicine Information and Implementation Guidance (overview) Using Telehealth: Telehealth, Beyond the Basics (March 30, 2020) Using Telehealth: Virtual Visits (April 1, 2020)
CORONAVIRUS EMERGENCY LOANS: SMALL BUSINESS GUIDE AND CHECKLIST The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocated $350 billion to help small businesses keep workers employed amid the pandemic and economic downturn. Known as the Paycheck Protection Program, the initiative provides 100% federally guaranteed loans to small businesses. Importantly, these loans may be forgiven if borrowers maintain their payrolls during the crisis or restore their payrolls afterward. More details, including the list of lenders offering loans under the program, are expected soon. In the meantime, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has issued a guide to help small businesses and self-employed individuals prepare to file for a loan. Eligible entities and individuals include: A small business with fewer than 500 employees A small business that otherwise meets the SBA’s size standard A 501(c)(3) with fewer than 500 employees An individual who operates as a sole proprietor An individual who operates as an independent contractor An individual who is self-employed who regularly carries on any trade or business A Tribal business concern that meets the SBA size standard A 501(c)(19) Veterans Organization that meets the SBA size standard. Learn more: Coronavirus Emergency Loans: Small Business Guide and Checklist
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