SPOTLIGHT -
CMS boosts pay for telephone consults amidst sweeping COVID-19 changes
Medicare and Medicaid will now cover a wider array of telehealth services.
FDA issues emergency authorization to Gilead for remdesivir as possible COVID-19 treatment
The antiviral drug remdesivir was shown to shorten recovery time in some patients during clinical trials.
What is the Paycheck Protection Program?
Coronavirus: ACP calls for primary care physician relief funds to be prioritized
In a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar, the organization says the move is necessary to keep practices operating while combatting the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
Communication strategies for the COVID-19 pandemic
Coronavirus: Survey sees drop in office visits, increase in satisfaction
The pandemic is pushing down in-person visits, but patients are more satisfied with the care they are receiving.
CMS reevaluating Accelerated Payments, suspending Advance Payments
The agency stopped accepting new applications for the Advance Payment Program April 26.
Keeping patients safe in the waiting room during COVID-19 pandemic
Survey: Coronavirus endangers private practices
The continued pandemic is having a negative impact on practices.
Alleviating staff concerns in the time of COVID-19
Survey: Coronavirus putting the squeeze on primary care practices
The survey, from mid-April, shows nearly half of respondents don’t know if they will be able to keep their practices open.
FDA authorizes first at-home collection coronavirus test kit
The test kit allows a patient to collect their own sample keeping healthcare workers out of the line of fire.
Coronavirus: CMS urges use of Quality Payment Program in clinical trials
Participation in COVID-19 clinical trials and reporting information can earn a clinician credit in the Merit-based Incentive Payment System.
Coronavirus: CMS, ONC, HHS announces enforcement discretion on interoperability rules
The pandemic is holding off implementation of the new rules.
Coronavirus: CRISPR-based test gives quick results
The test can diagnose infection in less than an hour.
Maintaining leadership in the time of COVID-19
CDC guideline: How to evaluate suspected COVID-19 patients at home
CDC tips for evaluating people for coronavirus when face-to-face contact is impossible.
Coronavirus: AMA, other groups urge further legislative relief for physicians
The open letter calls on legislators to supplement the CARES Act.
Coronavirus: ACP supports scale back of social distancing based on evidence
The organization warns not to make the move too soon.
Coronavirus: AAFP Foundation relief fund to help family physicians
The new fund will help family physicians to continue serving their community during the pandemic.
Avoiding self destructive tendencies in the time of COVID-19
Coronavirus: Physician survey finds patient volumes down, likely to stay down for a year
Physicians detail how COVID-19 is hurting their patient volumes and bottom line.
Coronavirus: ABIM won’t take certifications during pandemic
Physicians who have a MOC requirement due in 2020 will have until the end of 2021 to complete it.
Coronavirus: Insurance companies may see huge costs, report says
Costs could reach as high as $556 billion between 2020 and 2021.
Coronavirus: CMS suspends rules to boost frontline staff at healthcare facilities
The move is aimed at helping the fight against the global pandemic.
Federal government says all COVID-19 testing, treatment will be free
The move makes testing and other services free for those with private insurance, according to CMS.
Coronavirus: CMS approves nearly $34 billion in accelerated/advance payments to healthcare providers
The payments were dispersed in a single week.
Survey: Private practices turn to telemedicine to offset coronavirus dip
About 74 percent of respondents say they’ve adopted telemedicine or plan to.