On May 19, The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) added two new emergency declaration waivers providing the health care community with flexibilities needed to care for patients during the COVID-19 public health emergency.  First, CMS is waiving certain physical environment requirements under the Medicare conditions of participation for surge capacity and patient quarantine at hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, and critical access hospitals (CAHs) (page 4).  Second, CMS is modifying the data collection and reporting periods for rural and urban organizations selected to participate in the Ground Ambulance Data Collection System (page 29).

On May 22, the President issued an executive order allowing Federal agencies to address the economic emergency from the COVID-19 pandemic by rescinding, modifying, waiving, or providing exemptions from regulations and other requirements that may inhibit economic recovery, consistent with applicable law and with protection of the public health and safety, with national and homeland security, and with budgetary priorities.  Agencies are also encouraged to promote economic recovery through non-regulatory actions. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has posted information online about recent waivers the agency has implemented, including those applicable to rural facilities like Critical Access Hospitals, Rural Health Clinics, and Federally Qualified Health Centers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) provides objective policy and legal analysis to committees and members of the U.S. House and Senate.  For this report, researchers examine regulatory actions taken by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to promote internet connectivity during the pandemic.  Read more here.

CNN reports that as the number of deaths surpasses the grim milestone of 100,000 and Americans squabble over whether it’s necessary or helpful to keep taking protective measures like wearing a face covering, a leading researcher says the data is clear that wearing masks works. Dr. Chris Murray, Director of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, or IHME, at the University of Washington, says that wearing masks offers probably 50 percent protection against transmission. Unfortunately, what should be influenced by science and shared strategy is instead being influenced by politics resulting in a divided approach. Dr. Anthony Fauci agrees that “simple” things like wearing masks and washing hands are crucial and that close gatherings of people without masks are “very troubling. … That’s really tempting fate and asking for trouble.”

A new poll finds that 49 percent of respondents would get a coronavirus vaccine if one was available. The poll, conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, also found that 20 percent of respondents would not, and 31 percent were not yet sure. Other findings:

• Among those who said they would get a vaccine, about 70 percent said life won’t return to normal without a vaccine.
• About two-thirds of respondents aged 60 and older said they would take the vaccine, compared to 40 percent of those younger than 60.
• Although COVID-19 has disproportionately affected minority communities, only 25 percent of African Americans and 37 percent of Hispanics said they would get the vaccine, compared to 56 percent of white respondents.

Battelle is an approved entity for the FDA’s Critical Care Decontamination System, which supports reuse of N95 masks after free decontamination. Health centers are eligible to participate in this program that:

• Allows eligible (non-cellulose) N95 masks to be decontaminated for reuse up to 20 times
• Has no cost to a health center except shipping to-from the decontamination site

To learn more and enroll, the Batelle website outlines the enrollment process and frequently asked questions.

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) issued several Medical Assistance (MA) Bulletins this week. Topics included:

• Bulletin 01-20-07. Pharmacy Services for MA Beneficiaries Related to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency: The purpose of this bulletin is to advise providers of changes made by DHS to Medical Assistance (MA) pharmacy services to ensure MA beneficiaries maintain access to needed services during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
• Bulletin 01-20-06. Updates to Childhood Nutrition and Weight Management Services: This bulletin is to notify providers enrolled in the MA program of changes to Childhood Nutrition and Weight Management Services (CNWMS) for MA beneficiaries under 21 years of age as a result of the 2020 Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System updates.
• Bulletin 99-20-02. 2020 HCPCS Updates: The purpose of this bulletin is to announce changes to the Medical Assistance Program Fee Schedule as a result of the 2020 Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) procedure code updates, effective for dates of services on and after May 26, 2020.
• Bulletin 99-20-04. EPSDT Program Periodicity Schedule: This bulletin revises the Pennsylvania’s Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) Program Periodicity Schedule and Coding Matrix, effective May 26, 2020.

Visit the DHS Bulletins website for more detailed information.

People who lost their insurance during the COVID pandemic now have until 60 days after the coronavirus national emergency ends to enroll in COBRA. The normal COBRA deadline is 60 days after losing a job.