The Wolf Administration this week began distribution of the second allotment of COVID-19 antigen test kits provided by the federal government to Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-certified institutions in Berks, Huntingdon, Union and Westmoreland counties. Last week 70,840 tests were distributed to 55 facilities in Bradford, Centre, Lebanon, Montour, Northumberland, Schuylkill and Snyder counties. Counties expected to receive tests next week include Blair, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Tioga, Venango and Wyoming. On October 15, the Secretary of Health issued an Order to healthcare providers and facilities reinforcing that all antigen test results, both positive and negative, are required to be reported to the Department of Health.

By Craig Settles
A public library in Pottsboro, Texas, offered telehealth services to its patrons throughout the pandemic despite broadband access issues. Now, it could become a blueprint for a national rural network of libraries providing access to telehealth.
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By Tracy Staley
Rural America faces a public-health crisis, with Covid-19 spreading quickly as the nation heads into flu season, says Alan Morgan. His interview is part of Daily Yonder Day at the Rural Assembly Everywhere virtual festival, starting Monday, October 26.
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CMS COVID-19 Stakeholder Engagement Calls – October

CMS hosts varied recurring stakeholder engagement sessions to share information related to the agency’s response to COVID-19. These sessions are open to members of the healthcare community and are intended to provide updates, share best practices among peers, and offer attendees an opportunity to ask questions of CMS and other subject matter experts.

Call details are below. Conference lines are limited so we highly encourage you to join via audio webcast, either on your computer or smartphone web browser. You are welcome to share this invitation with your colleagues and professional networks. These calls are not intended for the press.

Calls recordings and transcripts are posted on the CMS podcast page at: https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Outreach/OpenDoorForums/PodcastAndTranscripts

CMS COVID-19 Office Hours Calls (twice a month on Tuesday at 5:00 – 6:00 PM Eastern)

Office Hour Calls provide an opportunity for hospitals, health systems, and providers to ask questions of agency officials regarding CMS’s temporary actions that empower local hospitals and healthcare systems to:

• Increase Hospital Capacity – CMS Hospitals Without Walls;
• Rapidly Expand the Healthcare Workforce;
• Put Patients Over Paperwork; and
• Further Promote Telehealth in Medicare

Next Office Hours:

Tuesday, October 27^th at 5:00 – 6:00 PM Eastern

Toll Free Attendee Dial In: 833-614-0820; Access Passcode: 2394789

Audio Webcast link: https://engage.vevent.com/rt/cms2/index.jsp?seid=2612

Weekly COVID-19 Care Site-Specific Calls

CMS hosts calls for certain types of organizations on an intermittent basis to provide targeted updates on the agency’s latest COVID-19 guidance. One to two leaders in the field also share best practices with their peers. There is an opportunity to ask questions of presenters if time allows.

Next Nursing Homes

Wednesday, October 28^th at 4:30 – 5:00 PM Eastern

Toll Free Attendee Dial-In: 833-614-0820; Access Passcode: 5587022 Audio Webcast Link: https://engage.vevent.com/rt/cms2/index.jsp?seid=2627

For the most current information including call schedule changes, please click here

To keep up with the important work the White House Task Force is doing in response to COVID-19 click here: https://protect2.fireeye.com/url?k=36fa2226-6aae0b0d-36fa1319-0cc47a6d17cc-2d06c219f858d641&u=http://www.coronavirus.gov/. For information specific to CMS, please visit the Current Emergencies Website.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updated the “State Medicaid & CHIP Telehealth Toolkit: Policy Considerations for States Expanding Use of Telehealth, COVID-19 Version,” originally released in April 2020.  It has new examples and insights into lessons learned from states that have implemented telehealth changes.  The Medicaid and CHIP data snapshot illustrates the rate of telehealth use across the states during the public health emergency.  CMS also updated the list of Medicare services that can be provided via telehealth during the COVID-19 public health emergency.  Read more here.

Beginning January 1, 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will lower its base payment from $100 to $75 for COVID-19 diagnostic tests using certain highly sophisticated equipment called “high throughput technology.”  The change is explained in an amended Administrative Ruling, CMS 2020-1-R2. Labs that complete the test within two calendar days will receive a $25 add-on payment.

By Tim Murphy and Tim Marema
Metropolitan counties accounted for more than three-quarters of the new Covid-19 cases last week. But on a per capita basis, the rate of new infections in nonmetropolitan counties is much higher.
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By Liz Carey
Rising economic pressures during the pandemic and limited access to transportation contributed to a rise in physical violence and abuse in rural households.
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By Christine Vestal
Hard-hit communities in the Midwest and Great Plains are beginning to run short on staff, beds, and ICU rooms.
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By Tim Murphy and Tim Marema
New infections climbed by 16% in rural counties last week, putting 160 more rural counties on the red-zone list.
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