When the PHE Expires, What then?

How to Reverify Patients’ Medicaid Eligibility

When the Public Health Emergency Ends

With the federal public health emergency (PHE) slated to expire at the end of 2021, millions of Medicaid patients across the U.S. are at risk of losing their coverage. Texas physicians should prepare by scheduling services as soon as possible for such patients and evaluating the financial impact of potential increases in uncompensated care. They also should expect to reverify patients’ Medicaid eligibility when the PHE expires.

Physicians can reverify patients’ eligibility electronically through the Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership (TMHP) Electronic Data InterchangeTexMedConnect, or the Medicaid Client Portal. They can also call the TMHP Automated Inquiry System at (800) 925-9126.

Verify-Verify-Verify

PHE Current Information

Follow these links to find the most current 

health plan information.

PHE

OSHA ETS

Original Message:
Sent: 06-14-2021 14:56
From: Drew Voytal
Subject: OSHA announces new COVID-19 temporary emergency standard for healthcare settings

Good afternoon MGMA members,

Last week, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a COVID-19 emergency temporary standard (ETS) with implications for health care employers. The landing page for the ETS can be found here and the fact sheet can be found here. Once the rule is published in the Federal Register, the compliance deadline for most provisions is within 14 days and within 30 days for the rest.

Some of the requirements in the ETS include:

  • developing a “COVID-19 plan” that includes a workplace-specific hazard assessment
  • cleaning and disinfection guidelines
  • health screening and medical management protocols, and
  • physical distance and physical barrier guidelines.

For the full list of requirements under the ETS, see the rule. Certain requirements are waived if workers are vaccinated and are in well-defined areas where there is no reasonable expectation that a person with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 will be present. For more information, see the FAQ.

Thanks,

More on Emergency Temporary Standards

Emergency Temporary Standards

FINALLY! a flow chart that helps make since of some of this. 

UHC Waives Cost Sharing

UnitedHealthcare (UHC) is waiving cost sharing for Medicare Advantage plan members for primary care services through Dec. 31. This applies to in-network and covered out-of-network COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 visits, whether they are conducted in office or via telemedicine.

UHC Waives Cost Sharing….

THRIVE

THRIVE CareAllies’ Provider Newsletter May 2021

Education inside: Obtain Assistance with Coding Accuracy and Documentation, one-on-one education, coding reference tools. Get set up for remote access, email [email protected].

Resource Material inside: 

  • CoVid Vaccine Flyers
  • Call us first: Poster, Wallet Card, Wearable Button, etc. 
  • NO-SHOW: Poster and Wallet Card (customizable)

Email CareAllies at [email protected] with any topic suggestions for this (your) newsletter.

THRIVE

Re: Cigna MA Referrals

This is a cut and paste from:

(Revised 04/26/21) The current Public Health Emergency (PHE) period has been extended through 07/20/2021. https://www.phe.gov/emergency/news/healthactions/phe/Pages/COVID-15April2021.aspx

Referral Requirements

In-Network Providers: Referral requirements (if required by customer’s benefit plan) are waived for in-network provider services through 07/20/2021.

Out of Network Providers: Referral requirements (if required by customer’s benefit plan) are waived for out-of-network provider services through 07/20/2021.

Cigna MA Referral Requirements

COVID-19 news from UnitedHealthcare, April 20th, 2021

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News from UHC

UnitedHealthcare remains committed to delivering timely news and updates to help you stay informed of fast-changing COVID-19 circumstances. Here’s a quick overview of the recent extension of the national public health emergency period, as well as billing updates and resources to help you answer patient questions about COVID-19 vaccines. For the complete article follow this link to the InK Files.