Articles and Blogs

Friday, April 10 Recap Note – ​We believe this is the most up-to-date information available at this time, but it is subject to change ​as circumstances warrant. Also, all finalized resources can be found ​on the COVID-19 ​Resource ​Center page ​of Hall Render’s website.​ HHS Delivers Initial $30 Billion in CARES Act Provider Funding HHS announced... READ MORE

On April 10, 2020, FEMA published a temporary final rule giving the Agency the authority to block the export of critical PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic, including masks, respirators (and their filters and cartridges), non-sterile gloves and surgical gloves. The rule is effective until August 8, 2020. Prioritization and Allocation of Certain Scarce or Threatened... READ MORE

In a Public Notice released April 8, 2020, the FCC provided clarification as to the scope of equipment and services it would consider eligible for funding under the COVID-19 Telehealth Program, as well as the anticipated application process. Types of eligible equipment and services include, but are not limited to the following: Telecommunications services... READ MORE

Thursday, April 9 Recap Note – ​We believe this is the most up-to-date information available at this time, but it is subject to change ​as circumstances warrant. Also, all finalized resources can be found ​on the COVID-19 ​Resource ​Center page ​of Hall Render’s website.​ CMS Releases New Waivers for Health Care Facilities COVID-19 Response CMS issued... READ MORE

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) recently issued new recommendations to state and local governments and skilled nursing facilities (“facility”) to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Two states also recently announced they will pay facilities a premium to identify as COVID-only facilities.... READ MORE

Wednesday, April 8 Recap Note – ​We believe this is the most up-to-date information available at this time, but it is subject to change ​as circumstances warrant. Also, all finalized resources can be found ​on the COVID-19 ​Resource ​Center page ​of Hall Render’s website.​ Congressional Outlook Today, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Minority Leader... READ MORE

Section 3709 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act of 2020 (“CARES Act”) temporarily suspends Medicare sequestration for the period of May 1 through December 31, 2020. As a result, health care providers can expect to receive an increase in fee-for-service Medicare payments by approximately 2% as compared to what they would... READ MORE

Tuesday, April 7 Recap Note – ​We believe this is the most up-to-date information available at this time, but it is subject to change ​as circumstances warrant. Also, all finalized resources can be found ​on the COVID-19 ​Resource ​Center page ​of Hall Render’s website.​ CMS Provides More Information on CARES Act Funding At the White House... READ MORE

Monday, April 6 Recap Note – ​We believe this is the most up-to-date information available at this time, but it is subject to change ​as circumstances warrant. Also, all finalized resources can be found ​on the COVID-19 ​Resource ​Center page ​of Hall Render’s website.​ Congressional Outlook The House and Senate remain in recess until at least... READ MORE

On April 3, 2020, OIG released a Policy Statement indicating OIG will exercise its enforcement discretion not to impose administrative sanctions under the federal Anti-Kickback Statute (“AKS”) for certain financial arrangements related to a COVID-19 purpose that are covered under the Blanket Stark waivers issued by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health... READ MORE