HW&Co. COVID-19 Healthcare Updates

An update for healthcare providers.

As a healthcare provider, you’re on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. You’re dealing with constant changes from federal, state, and local authorities. You’re juggling the needs of your facility such as increased staffing challenges, and supply shortages, with the needs of your residents and their families. Amid it all, your priority remains the health and safety of your residents, and helping them feel safe while separated from their families. As always, we are here for you.

HW&Co.’s number one priority is the safety and well-being of our staff, clients, families and the communities in which we live and work. The Governor included accounting services as an essential business. While most of our team is working remotely, our offices remain open, so we can continue to meet any needs you have during this difficult time. Please reach out if we can help in any way.

To help you stay on top of all the news and pronouncements, we have compiled the following information.

Waiver of 3-Day Hospital Stay

Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) care without a 3-day inpatient hospital stay will be covered for beneficiaries who experience dislocations or are otherwise affected by the emergency, such as those who are:

Discharged from a hospital (in the emergency or receiving locations) in order to provide care to more seriously ill patients
In need of SNF care as a result of the emergency, regardless of whether that individual was in hospital or nursing home prior to the emergency.
For certain beneficiaries, authorizes renewed SNF coverage without having to start a new benefit period

Revenue Cycle Assistance

Our Revenue Cycle department is available to assist with Billing services and Business office functions should you need additional support during this time. Please contact: Jenna Bennett, bennett@hwco.com, Dottie Hauman, hauman@hwco.com or Kelly Sorensen, sorensen@hwco.com.

In addition to information within this email that impacts admissions, billing and claims processing to share with your staff, please watch for a newsletter relating directly to Revenue Cycle information and updates.

If you were unable to take part in our Spring Fling Business Office Quarterly call, please contact us. We would be happy to review the call content with you.

Relief on Quality Reporting Programs (QRP) Reporting Deadlines

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it is granting exceptions from reporting requirements and extensions for clinicians and providers participating in Medicare quality reporting programs relating to measure reporting and data submission.

Survey Guidelines

During this state of emergency only the following surveys will be prioritized:

Complaint/facility-reported Incident Surveys
Targeted Infection Control Surveys
Self-assessments

During this three-week prioritization period, standard surveys will not be authorized for:

Hospices
Hospitals
Home Health Agencies (HHAs)
Intermediate care facilities for Individuals with Intellectual
Disabilities (ICF/IIDs)
Long term care facilities (nursing homes)

This includes the Life Safety Code and Emergency Preparedness elements of those standard surveys.

Cost Report Extensions

Medicaid:

Due to the impact of COVID 19 on facility operations, the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) has granted Nursing Facility and the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) has granted ICF/IID providers an automatic extension to file their CY 2019 cost reports. The 2019 cost reports must be uploaded to the MITS portal and pin certified on or before April 28, 2020.

Medicare:

CMS will delay the filing deadline of the FYE 12/31/2019 Medicare cost reports due by May 31, 2020 until July 31, 2020. This is a blanket extension and providers do not need to submit a request for extension.

Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IIDs)

General ICF/IID Updates:

Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) and Ohio Auditor of State have immediately suspended CY2018 ICF-IID cost report audits until further notice
All Level of Care (LOC) assessments, used to determine whether a person has a developmental disabilities level of care, expiring before June 1, 2020, will be approved by DODD department staff to ensure no gap in eligibility of care
All Pre-Admission Counseling (PAC) is on hold until further notice. Proposed changes to the PAC submission process went live in the system March 26, 2020.

Adult Day Services Updates:

In an order issued by Dr. Amy Acton, director of the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), Adult Day programs can no longer provide services in congregate care settings, until directed by the ODH or DODD.

Group sizes have been restricted to no more than 10 people; This number DOES include staff
Residential providers may continue to plan home and community activities for individuals who live together
Each space must have access to separate entrances, bathrooms and assigned staff

Guidance for Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in Retirement Communities and Independent Living Facilities

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued interim guidance for preventing the spread of COVID-19 in Retirement Communities and Independent Living Facilities.

Coronavirus Relief Legislation

There is Coronavirus relief legislation in various stages at both the Federal and State levels. On March 25, 2020, a Federal bipartisan deal was reached as an expansion of the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act”. The bill includes $200 million for CMS to assist nursing homes with infection control and support states’ efforts to prevent the spread of coronavirus in nursing homes. Stay tuned as more details are available.

Health Insurance Payment Deferral

The state of Ohio will allow businesses to temporarily defer their health insurance premiums to keep their workers covered during this time. This allows for a grace period to businesses who want to defer their premiums for up to 60 calendar days from the original due date.

Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) Premium Payment Deferral

To help businesses facing difficulties due to COVID-19, the Ohio BWC has announced that insurance premium installment payments due for March, April, and May for the current policy year may be deferred until June 1, 2020.