Articles and Blogs

On September 28, 2020, the Quality, Safety & Oversight Group at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) issued a memorandum entitled “Guidance related to the Emergency Preparedness Testing Exercise Requirements- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)” (“QSO Memo”) that confirms that certain testing and training exemptions are available based on activation of emergency plans and the... READ MORE

The COVID-19 state of emergency has spurred unprecedented change in the realm of telehealth. This trend continues – but despite the headlines, there is more work to do. I. CMS Telehealth Proposals CY 2021 PFS On August 3, 2020, CMS posted the proposed Physician Fee Schedule rule (“Proposed Rule”) for CY 2021. The Proposed... READ MORE

Under the recent Wisconsin COVID-19 relief law, 2019 Wisconsin Act 185 (effective April 17, 2020) (the “ Relief Act”), and pursuant to the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), temporary emergency unemployment benefits have been made available to claimants and employers in Wisconsin. The Relief Act accomplishes a number... READ MORE

On April 30, 2020, CMS published guidance in a second Interim Final Rule (“IFR”) addressing regulatory flexibilities available to hospitals to bill for hospital/critical access hospital outpatient therapeutic services on the UB-04 when such services are furnished in a temporary expansion location (including a beneficiary’s home) during the COVID-19 public health emergency (“PHE”). This... READ MORE

As Hurricane Florence inaugurates the U.S. hurricane season with fierce winds and torrential rains, health care providers are preparing to care for patients under demanding and dangerous conditions. Effective communication is always challenging and critically important when natural disasters like hurricanes strike. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”) Privacy Rule (the “Privacy... READ MORE