COVID-19 Resources:WSPMA is trying to compile and keep up to date information relevant to COVID-19 and your practice. Please use the following links to keep apprised, as information continues to change.
General Practice & Surgery Matters:
Washington State Level
Governor's Websites: https://coronavirus.wa.gov/ and https://www.governor.wa.gov/
WA DOH Coronavirus Website: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/Coronavirus
WA HCA Coronavirus Website: https://www.hca.wa.gov/information-about-novel-corona-virus-covid-19
WA Podiatric Medical Board: https://www.doh.wa.gov/LicensesPermitsandCertificates/ProfessionsNewReneworUpdate/PodiatricPhysicianandSurgeon
WA Unemployment Security Department: https://esd.wa.gov/unemployment
WA Department of Revenue: https://dor.wa.gov/about/business-relief-during-covid-19-pandemic
Washington SharedWork Program: https://esd.wa.gov/SharedWork/apply
Washington Standby: https://esd.wa.gov/unemployment/temporary-layoffs
Association of Washington Business COVID-19 Site: https://www.awb.org/covid-19-resources
National Level
APMA's Coronavirus Page: https://www.apma.org/News/NewsDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=39728
CDC Health Professionals Coronavirus Page: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/index.html
CDC Checklist for Medical Providers: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/hcp-preparedness-checklist.pdf
CDC Business Owner/Employers Coronavirus Page: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/businesses-employers.html
CDC Communications (contains printable flyers for posting): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/index.html
OSHA Coronavirus Page: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/
SBA Coronavirus Page: https://www.sba.gov/disaster-assistance/coronavirus-covid-19
US Department of Labor: https://www.dol.gov/coronavirus
Current Coronavirus information from the federal government: https://www.usa.gov/coronavirus
Malpractice Matters:
**Note: PICA is an exclusive professional liability sponsor of the WSPMA. We have listed other common companies that we know members may have as their malpractice carries.
PICA Coronavirus Page: http://picagroup-5900118.hs-sites.com/pica-covid-19-info-page
PICA Change of Practice Information Form (submit any changes to your practice here): https://share.hsforms.com/18bc0sfhtT_uQApj1ekRsLA3igk6
The Doctors Company Coronavirus Page: https://www.thedoctors.com/about-the-doctors-company/newsroom/covid-19-updates-and-resources-for-healthcare-professionals/
MedPro Group Coronavirus Page: https://www.medpro.com/covid-19-information-and-resources
Telehealth:
General Information
Current WA Collaborative Health Care Professional Telehealth Training (This training video will be modified to meet the requirement of SB 6061, prior to January 1, 2021. Please only use as an educational tool at this time) Link
AHIP - contains a consolidated page of multiple insurers and summary of coverages. Be sure to verify with the actual insurer for changes and dates: https://www.ahip.org/health-insurance-providers-respond-to-coronavirus-covid-19/
APMA page with information on providing telehealth services to Medicare beneficiaries: https://www.apma.org/News/NewsDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=39818
Availity Information Page for Staff with links: https://apps.availity.com/availity/Demos/m_covid_19.pdf
CMS Fact Sheet: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/medicare-telemedicine-health-care-provider-fact-sheet
HCA Application for possible FREE Zoom License: https://www.hca.wa.gov/billers-providers-partners/prior-authorization-claims-and-billing/request-zoom-license-connect & https://fortress.wa.gov/hca/request-for-zoom-license/
Northwest Regional Telehealth Network: https://www.nrtrc.org/
One Health Port (Telehealth starts on Page 6, some changes have already occurred since this document was published - e.g. UHC is listed as ending 4/30 but this has been extended to 6/18): https://www.onehealthport.com/sites/default/files/content-uploads/documents/Administrative%20Direction_031620.pdf
Telehealth Etiquette: https://www.telehealthresourcecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Telehealth-Etiquette-Checklist.pdf
Washington State laws on telehealth
Individual Insurer Information
Anthem Blue Cross: https://ir.antheminc.com/news-releases/news-release-details/anthem-issues-updates-regarding-covid-19-testing-and-care?field_nir_news_date_value%5bmin%5d=
Cigna: https://static.cigna.com/spa/chcp/assets/Cigna-COVID-19-Billing-Guidiance-for-Providers-3-18.pdf
Community Health Plan of Washington: https://www.chpw.org/for-providers/covid-19-faqs-and-bulletins/
FEDERAL BLUE Cross: https://www.regence.com/provider/library/whats-new/fep-telehealth
First Choice Health: Dependent on each individual plan.
HealthNet: Information not found.
Intercommunity: See Samaritan.
Lifewise (You have to scroll through for policy information. It is covered in your contract): https://www.lifewise.com/provider/coronavirus & https://www.lifewise.com/provider/resources/payment-policies
Northwest Physicians Network: Information not found.
PacificSource: https://www.pacificsource.com/provider/telemedicinefaq.pdf
Providence: Information not found.
Regence Blue Cross of OREGON: https://www.regence.com/provider/library/policies-guidelines/reimbursement-policy/virtual-care
Regence Blue Shield of WASHINGTON: https://www.regence.com/provider/library/whats-new/covid-19
Samaritan Health Plans: https://providers.samhealthplans.org/-/media/SHP/Documents/Providers/Telemedicine-Guideline-082516.pdf?la=en&hash=E4BC4000BA052AFAFB5937C8AA7591035EC86AD6
Tricare/HNFS: https://www.tricare-west.com/content/hnfs/home/tw/prov/res/provider_news/covid-19-outbreak--using-telemedicine-.html
United HealthCare: https://www.uhcprovider.com/en/resource-library/news/provider-telehealth-faqs.html
Platforms
**Please NOTE that although CMS is allowing use of non-HIPAA compliant platforms such as Facetime and non-business Skype, many insurers are still requiring you to use a HIPAA compliant platform. Be sure to use a HIPAA compliant platform, and ensure that you are getting the BAA from the platform.
More information on this temporary policy change here.
doxy.me FREE version available
Zoom.com Possibility to get a FREE license from the WA HCA. You must apply. See link above.
Continuing Medical Education (CME):
The Podiatric Medical Board (board) met on April 16, 2020, to address the impacts response measures of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic are having on podiatric physicians meeting the continuing medical education (CME) requirements. The board granted a CME extension that coincides with the license renewal extension authorized by the Secretary of the Department of Health until September 30, 2020. The board also determined to accept online courses as meeting CME requirements through December 31, 2020. A policy statement outlining the board’s decisions was filed with the Office of the Code Reviser on May 4, 2020.
Other Recommendations:
Contact your banks and ask about hardship deferments on mortgage, auto, student, and other loans (be sure to find out what credit impact this could have on your future credit score).
Contact your local banks to inquire about possible lines of credit if necessary.
This may also be a good time to contact your attorneys and accountants relative to any information you gain from the above-referenced links and information.
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