On June 2, the Department of Health and Human Services released an FAQ that defines the types of expenses that are considered “attributable to the coronavirus,” and therefore an allowable use of Provider Relief Fund (PRF) funding. In addition to standard types of expenses (e.g., supplies, equipment, training, payroll), PRF funds may be used for: rent or mortgage payments; lease payments on equipment and “acquiring additional resources, including facilities, equipment, supplies, healthcare practices, staffing and technology to expand or preserve care delivery.” Allowable expenses must have been incurred after January 1, 2020, but there is currently no end date on such expenses. Read the PRF FAQs.

The 2020 Uniform Data System (UDS) Manual provides health centers with detailed instructions to complete all of the required data tables related to patients, operations and clinical performance. The 2020 UDS data reporting period for Health Center Program awardees and look-alikes will be open from Jan. 1 through Feb. 15, 2021. Key reporting changes include:

• Addition of HIV screening measure (CMS349v2)
• Addition of prescription for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 10 codes and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes
• Revision of Appendix D to capture information on prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) and social determinants of health
• Inclusion of COVID-19 ICD-10 and CPT clinical codes, as well as codes for acute respiratory illness due to COVID-19

See Program Assistance Letter (PAL) 2020-04 for a complete overview of approved CY 2020 UDS changes. Also available is the 2020 Uniform Data System (UDS) Reporting Changes TA Webinar Presentation and On Demand Recording.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), signed into law on March 27, provided for payments of up to $1,200 for every adult and $500 per dependent child. This stimulus payment does not count as income for Medicaid/CHIP or Advance Premium Tax Credit (APTC) determinations. It should also not be reported on any application for assistance. Some other points to keep in mind:

• Regular unemployment is always counted as income.
• The extension of unemployment of up to 39 weeks and the expansion of unemployment to new populations is counted as income.
• The additional $600/week supplemental unemployment benefit ends July 31, 2020; this benefit does not count toward Medicaid/CHIP but DOES COUNT toward income for Marketplace Coverage and APTC eligibility.

While the Federal government has not issued a special enrollment period or opened the Marketplace due to the pandemic, consumers who have lost coverage may qualify for a special enrollment period. See the Special Enrollment Period Reference Guide for more information.

Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine announced a partnership with General Healthcare Resources to assist with the COVID-19 response. General Healthcare Resources will be deploying onsite assessment teams to assist with infection control practices, staffing and PPE training needs. The team will also assist with specimen collection and urgent staffing needs. The Department of Health (DOH) will be funding the 41 individuals who will be deployed for one year. In addition to General Healthcare Resource’s support, DOH has also been working with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Since May 20, HHS assessment and action teams have been providing onsite support and training to long-term care facilities in the commonwealth.

By Tim Marema

Counties with the highest rate of new infections in the last 30 days tend to have one of three things: meatpacking plants, prisons, or a population with a large proportion of non-whites. Read more here.