The U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) has just issued a new Interim Final Rule related to the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) under the recently-adopted Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”): https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/PPP–IFRN%20FINAL.pdf The PPP provides for SBA-backed loans to small businesses, which have under 500 employees or are otherwise…
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Sheet responding to eight (8) FAQs regarding provider burden relief for COVID-19. Below is an overview of the FAQs Sheet issued by CMS. Is CMS suspending most Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) medical review during the Public…
Michigan Governor, Gretchen Whitmer, has announced new programs to expand unemployment benefits for workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Pursuant to an agreement signed by Governor Whitmer with the U.S. Department of Labor under the CARES Act, new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Compensation programs are being implemented to expand unemployment…
On March 29, 2020, Michigan Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order (EO) 2020-30 relaxing the scope of practice laws to give hospitals and other health-care facilities the flexibility needed to successfully deploy qualified physician assistants, nurses and other health care providers to treat COVID-19 patients and help slow the spread of…
On March 25, 2020, Michigan Governor, Gretchen Whitmer, issued Executive Order (EO) 2020-25. Among other things, the EO permits pharmacists to dispense emergency refills of prescriptions for up to a 60-day quantity and requires insurers to cover the emergency refills during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. By issuing this EO, Governor…
On March 30, 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued a message acknowledging the burden that the COVID-19 pandemic has imposed on the healthcare industry nationwide. Due to the challenges of the pandemic and OIG’s high priority of ensuring the health care community…
On March 21, 2020, the New York Department of Health (DOH) published guidance in the New York State Medicaid Update March 2020 Special Edition Vol. 36, No. 5 (the “Guidance”) regarding the expansion of telehealth in response to COVID-19. The DOH’s Guidance expands telehealth to better protect Medicaid members from…
The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) has received multiple allegations of Michigan physicians inappropriately prescribing hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine without a legitimate medical purpose. According to LARA, the efficacy for treating COVID-19 with these drugs has not been scientifically proven and may create a shortage for patients with lupus,…
On March 25, 2020, Michigan Governor Whitmer signed an order allowing pharmacists to dispense emergency refills of prescriptions. This order was in response to the urgent demands created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Executive Order 2020-25 will help increase access to therapeutic pharmaceuticals for Michiganders while providing temporary and limited relief…
On March 20, 2020, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) issued Medical Services Administration Bulletin 20-13 (MSA 20-13). Due to the continued spread of COVID-19 and conforming with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and State recommendations regarding social distancing, MDHHS is temporarily expanding the telemedicine…