Academy requests reinstatement of advance payments from CMS
Last week, the AADA sent a letter to CMS and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) expressing appreciation for their efforts to help physicians on the front lines of care during the COVID-19 pandemic. The letter also asks CMS and HHS to:
- Amend the Medicare accelerated and advance payment program by:
- Continuing to provide relief and practice flexibility by reinstating advance payments to physicians
- Postpone recoupment until 365 days after the advance payment is issued
- Reduce the per-claim recoupment amount from 100% to 25%
- Extend the repayment period for physicians to at least two years; and
- Waive the interest that accrues during the extended payment period
- Make it easier for physicians to qualify for and track access to second tranche relief payments
- Eliminate Quality Payment Program penalties through 2021
HHS provider relief fund terms and conditions
HHS has extended the deadline for health care providers to attest to receipt of payments from the Provider Relief Fund and accept the Terms and Conditions. Providers will now have 45 days, increased from 30 days, from the date they receive a payment to attest and accept the Terms and Conditions or return the funds.
As an example, the initial 30-day deadline for providers who received payment on April 10, 2020, is extended to May 24 from May 9, 2020. With the extension, not returning the payment within 45 days of receipt of payment will be viewed as acceptance of the Terms and Conditions. If the attestation is not signed and the money is not returned, it is viewed as acceptance of the Terms and Conditions. It is our understanding recipients are not eligible for the second tranche if they do not sign the attestation.
HHS has been updating and adjusting its rules for disbursement. The AADA is monitoring changes and will update its Medicare relief payment webpage with new information as we have it.
Insurers’ reimbursement for telemedicine
Academy staff continuously monitors changes to telemedicine policies as insurers adjust their reimbursement strategies during the pandemic. At least 10 insurers, including UnitedHealthcare and Cigna, are now reimbursing for telephone-only encounters in parity with office visits. The AADA has reached out to other multi-state plans and continues to track changes in policies to understand how they will be reimbursing for telephone-only encounters.
Next steps: Dermatologists should consult the AADA telemedicine coverage tracking sheet for changes in coverage.
Addressing mental health for the health care workforce
The AADA offered support for a letter from Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) to congressional leadership, asking for the creation of programs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that would study and provide funding for the treatment of mental health and wellness for the health care workforce, as a result of dealing with the COVID pandemic.
Tell Congress how COVID-19 is affecting dermatologists
As the COVID-19 crisis sweeps across the country, Congress is looking for ways to support physicians and health care providers in future legislation. Tell your Representative and Senators how COVID-19 has affected your practice and patients to help inform their response efforts.
The AAD will continue to track COVID-19 developments, along with member issues and experiences, and provide updates on telehealth, small business relief, clinical guidance, and more via email and at www.aad.org/coronavirus.