As an employer during a pandemic situation, you are able to ask if the staff member is exhibiting those symptoms reflective of the current pandemic, in this case, COVID-19. Does the staff member have complaints of shortness of breath, a dry cough, fever or sore throat? Have they been tested? This information is to remain confidential and maintained in the …
As providers under siege with the COVID-19 Pandemic, the last thing you need to worry about is being sure you are meeting ADA and EEOC requirements. Here is a “reader’s digest” cheat sheet from the most recent postings on how to manage day-to-day operations! Be well, stay safe and as always, please be sure to contact HealthCap if you need …
It has been said that we are at warWith the coronavirus at our door.And here at Heritage we have rules to obeyThat will help make the virus go away. We visit our families and friends by phoneWhen we get to feeling like we are alone.We can get our exercise by taking a walkAnd maybe meet someone with whom we can …
As I was listening to the evening newsMy eyelids got heavy and I took a little snooze.Everything was real, or so it would seemIn this Topsy-Turvy world as I began to dream. Panic was abounding all over the landWith everything seeming to get out of hand.A virus was spreading over every nationUpsetting the peacefulness of all creation. How long it …
Telehealth now more than ever is an important tool in your toolkit! CMS has released a video providing answers to common questions about the Medicare telehealth services benefit. Since CMS has expanded this benefit temporarily on an emergency basis under the 1135 waiver authority and Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act there are tons of questions. Click the link …
On March 29, 2020, AMDA and AHCA/NCAL published a memo discussing the importance of dealing with surge management and conflicting guidelines and public policy around hospital-to-nursing home or hospital-to-assisted living community transfers. Of deep concern was the recent New York State order which states: “No resident shall be denied re-admission or admission to the NH solely based on a confirmed …
During this public health emergency there has been an urgency to expand telehealth/telemedicine to help people receive a wider range of services from their doctors without going to a healthcare facility. Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, telehealth was only covered under Medicare/Medicaid for rural providers and existing patients. In order to reduce person-to-person contact with our most vulnerable population, and …
On Saturday March 28, 2020 the Dept. of Labor issued guidance on the definition of health care provider who can be excluded from paid sick leave and the FMLA expansion under the FFCRA. Essentially anyone who works in health care can be excluded, the Guidance states as follows: A healthcare provider is anyone employed at any doctor’s office, hospital, healthcare …
On March 13, 2020, President Trump declared the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation a national emergency. This bold action enables the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to waive certain requirements in Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP under Section 1135 emergency Authority. CMS may grant state and territorial Medicaid agencies a wider range of flexibilities and states may now submit Section …
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued a press release on March 19, 2020 “What You Should Know About the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and COVID-19.” The summary covers some common employer questions about what they can do during a pandemic such as COVID-19 without violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or the Rehabilitation Act. During a pandemic, employees may: …
