Savvik Buying Group is trying to find out what your services are still needing in the way of COVID related items. They have created a quick, 4 question survey to assist. As an incentive, Savvik will be selecting five entries who will win a $500.00 gift certificate from 5.11 tactical.
On May 1, 2020, CMS updated its “COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) Billing.” The full document can be viewed by clicking here.
In the updated FAQ, CMS answers three important questions related to ambulance vehicle and staffing requirements:
By Kathy Lester, J.D., M.P.H
Ground ambulance services and the organizations who provide them play a critically important role in helping America combat the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic. The members of the American Ambulance Association (AAA) are on the frontlines and often the first health care providers to interact with patients who suspect they are infected with the virus. At the same time, ground ambulance EMTs and paramedics continue to care for patients who have other medical emergency and are now frightened about seeking health care outside their homes.
The Medicare program has recognized these new realities and has provided important flexibility during the public health emergency that eliminate barriers to providing the necessary care. For example, Medicare has expanded the destinations where ground ambulance can transport patients and suspended some paperwork requirements (such as the signature requirements on the PCS form) and audits during the public health emergency. The AAA supports these modifications and has recommended two others: (1) that patients who require medical isolation can get to/from essential medical appointments; and (2) that Medicare pays for ground ambulance health care services provided without transportation to assist in reducing hospital surge and allow patients to remain quarantined in their homes when necessary.
With the additional flexibility provided by Medicare comes additional responsibility. As America’s health care safety net providers, ground ambulance service organizations are also committed to protect against fraud and abuse in the health care system. Our members are equally committed to providing services in an ethical and responsible manner. We recognize that oversight has diminished to ensure that patients get the right care at the right place at the right time. The AAA encourages all of our members and others in the health care community to use their best judgment and rely upon the relaxed guidance only when necessary. These guidance documents are not an opportunity to justify fraudulent or abusive behaviors.
The Department of Health and Human Services recently updated its guidance on the disbursement of provider relief funds under the CARES Act for the testing and treatment of the uninsured. Previously, HHS indicated that this allocation was only available for the reimbursement of emergency and non-emergency ground ambulance transportation. However, in its most recent update, HHS has removed the restriction that limited participation to ground ambulance providers and suppliers. The new guidance indicates that the relief funds are now available for all emergency ambulance transportation and non-emergency patient transfers via ambulance.
Thus, it appears that air and water ambulance providers and suppliers are now eligible to receive funding for the treatment of COVID-19 patients.
Is there anything my air or water ambulance organization needs to do to claim reimbursement for treatment of uninsured COVID patients?
Yes. In order to be eligible for payments for the treatment of uninsured COVID patients, you must enroll as a participant in the program. Enrollment must be done through an online portal that can be accessed at: http://www.coviduninsuredclaim.hrsa.gov.
Once my organization enrolls, when can we start submitting claims for reimbursement for treatment of uninsured COVID patients?
HHS has indicated that it will begin to accept claims for reimbursement for treatment of the uninsured on May 6, 2020.
FUNDING FOR TREATMENT OF UNINSURED COVID PATIENTS IS SUBJECTED TO AVAILABLE FUNDING, AND IS THEREFORE ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS. IT IS EXPECTED THAT THESE FUNDS WILL BE EXHAUSTED IN FAIRLY SHORT ORDER.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 26, 2020
CMS Reevaluates Accelerated Payment Program and Suspends Advance Payment Program
Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it is reevaluating the amounts that will be paid under its Accelerated Payment Program and suspending its Advance Payment Program to Part B suppliers effective immediately. The agency made this announcement following the successful payment of over $100 billion to healthcare providers and suppliers through these programs and in light of the $175 billion recently appropriated for healthcare provider relief payments.
CMS had expanded these temporary loan programs to ensure providers and suppliers had the resources needed to combat the beginning stages of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Funding will continue to be available to hospitals and other healthcare providers on the front lines of the coronavirus response primarily from the Provider Relief Fund. The Accelerated and Advance Payment (AAP) Programs are typically used to give providers emergency funding and address cash flow issues for providers and suppliers when there is disruption in claims submission or claims processing, including during a public health emergency or Presidentially-declared disaster.
Since expanding the AAP programs on March 28, 2020, CMS approved over 21,000 applications totaling $59.6 billion in payments to Part A providers, which includes hospitals. For Part B suppliers, including doctors, non-physician practitioners and durable medical equipment suppliers, CMS approved almost 24,000 applications advancing $40.4 billion in payments. The AAP programs are not a grant, and providers and suppliers are typically required to pay back the funding within one year, or less, depending on provider or supplier type. Beginning today, CMS will not be accepting any new applications for the Advance Payment Program, and CMS will be reevaluating all pending and new applications for Accelerated Payments in light of historical direct payments made available through the Department of Health & Human Services’ (HHS) Provider Relief Fund.
Significant additional funding will continue to be available to hospitals and other healthcare providers through other programs. Congress appropriated $100 billion in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (PL 116-136) and $75 billion through the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (PL 116-139) for healthcare providers. HHS is distributing this money through the Provider Relief Fund, and these payments do not need to be repaid.
The CARES Act Provider Relief Fund is being administered through HHS and has already released $30 billion to providers, and is in the process of releasing an additional $20 billion, with more funding anticipated to be released soon. This funding will be used to support healthcare-related expenses or lost revenue attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure uninsured Americans can get treatment for COVID-19.
For more information on the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund and how to apply, visit hhs.gov/providerrelief
For an updated fact sheet on the Accelerated and Advance Payment Programs, visit: https://www.cms.gov/files/
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Get CMS news at cms.gov/newsroom, sign up for CMS news via email and follow CMS on Twitter CMS Administrator @SeemaCMS, @CMSgov, and @CMSgovPress.
Updated April 24, 2020 at 9:40 pm | Register for AAA’s 4/27 webinar on this topic►
At 5 p.m. on Friday, April 24, 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services opened the online portal that health care providers and suppliers must use to submit their revenue information. This is a requirement to access the second $20 billion tranche of general allocation funding. Access the online portal►
In order to provide the required information, you will need the following information/documentation:
The portal will ask a series of questions to verify your identity and the identity of your organization. These include providing your TIN and the last six digits of the bank account to which the original tranche of relief funding was provided.
After completing the verification process, you will be asked to complete an attestation that you received the initial tranche of relief funding.
You will then be prompted to complete a short questionnaire that is used to apply for additional funding. The steps for completing that questionnaire are as follows:
AAA is aware of an issue that may affect governmental EMS organizations. Specifically, those governmental agencies that do not file federal tax returns may not be able to complete the final stage of the application, which asks you to upload a copy of your most recent tax return. The AAA has reached out to HHS to request guidance on how governmental organizations should complete the form. We will update our members as soon as we know anything different. Register for our May 4 COVID-19 Financial Resources for Governmental Providers webinar►
HHS indicated that it will allocate an undisclosed portion of the $29.6 billion in otherwise unallocated relief funding to reimburse healthcare providers and suppliers for COVID-related treatment of the uninsured. Please note that this allocation is only available for the reimbursement of emergency and non-emergency ground ambulance transports. Reimbursement will be available for COVID-related care furnished with dates of service on or after February 4, 2020. Payments will be made at the Medicare rates, subject to available funding. As a condition to receipt of funding, you must agree to accept HHS’ payment as payment-in-full, i.e., you may not balance bill the uninsured patient.
Yes. In order to be eligible for payments for the treatment of uninsured COVID patients, must enroll as a participant in the program. Enrollment must be done through an online portal that will open starting on April 27, 2020. Once open, the portal can be accessed at http://www.coviduninsuredclaim.hrsa.gov.
HHS has indicated that it will begin to accept claims for reimbursement for the treatment of the uninsured at some point in early May 2020.
FUNDING FOR TREATMENT OF UNINSURED COVID PATIENTS IS SUBJECTED TO AVAILABLE FUNDING, AND IS THEREFORE ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS. IT IS EXPECTED THAT THESE FUNDS WILL BE EXHAUSTED IN FAIRLY SHORT ORDER.
The AAA strongly recommends that all members complete their enrollment form as soon as reasonably practicable, so that you are in a position to submit claims as soon as the claim submission window opens.
HHS Announces Plans for Distribution of Remaining CARES Act Provider Relief Funding
By Brian S. Werfel, Esq.
March 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). As part of that Act, Congress allocated $100 billion to the creation of a “CARES Act Provider Relief Fund,” which will be used to support hospitals and other healthcare providers on the front lines of the nation’s coronavirus response. These funds will be used to fund healthcare-related expenses or to offset lost revenue attributable to COVID-10. These funds will also be used to ensure that uninsured Americans have access to testing a treatment for COVID-19. Collectively, this funding is referred to as the “CARES Act Provider Relief Fund.”
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) began the disbursement of the first $30 billion tranche of the CARES Act Provider Relief Funding on April 10, 2020, with full disbursement of this tranche being completed by April 17, 2020. The American Ambulance Association has issued a Frequently Asked Question that provides additional details on how the payments under this first tranche were calculated, as well as the terms and conditions that are applicable to this disbursement.
On April 22, 2020, HHS announced its plans for the disbursement of the remaining $70 billion in CARES Act Provider Relief Funding. These monies will be distributed using four broad categories:
Upcoming Important Dates
To participate in these future funding tranches, AAA Members will need to keep the following dates in mind:
Thank you to PEW Stateline journalist Michael Ollove for taking the time to learn about EMS economics from AAA Payment Reform Chair Asbel Montes and Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin President Chris Anderson.
Stay-at-home orders have paused many activities that resulted in emergency calls, such as traffic accidents and shootings, said Chris Anderson, director of operations for Bell Ambulance in Wisconsin. As for non-emergency transportation, many people want to avoid health facilities now if they can, he said.
Asbel Montes, a senior vice president with Acadian Companies, a Louisiana-based firm operating 500 ambulances in Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas, said emergency calls have dropped by 30% and non-emergency calls by 70%.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to HHS CARES Act Provider Relief Funding
By Brian S. Werfel, Esq.
In March 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). As part of that Act, Congress allocated $100 billion to the creation of a “CARES Act Provider Relief Fund,” which will be used to support hospitals and other healthcare providers on the front lines of the nation’s coronavirus response. These funds will be used to fund healthcare-related expenses or to offset lost revenue attributable to COVID-10. These funds will also be used to ensure that uninsured Americans have access to testing a treatment for COVID-19. Collectively, this funding is referred to as the “CARES Act Provider Relief Fund.”
On April 9, 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) began the disbursement of the first $30 billion of this provider relief funding. This disbursement was made to all healthcare providers and suppliers that were enrolled in the Medicare Program, and who received Medicare Fee-for-Service reimbursements during Calendar Year 2019. For most ambulance providers and suppliers, these relief funds were automatically deposited into their bank accounts.
In this Frequently Asked Question (FAQ), the AAA will address some of the more common questions that have arisen with respect to the Cares Act Provider Relief Funds.
Question #1: My organization received relief funds through an ACH Transfer. Is there anything our organization needs to do?
Answer #1: Yes. Within thirty (30) days of receiving the payment, you must sign an attestation confirming your receipt of the provider relief funds. As part of that attestation, you must also agree to accept certain Terms and Conditions. The attestation can be signed electronically by clicking here.
Question #2: Am I required to accept these funds? What happens if I am not willing to accept the Terms and Conditions imposed on the receipt of these funds?
Answer #2: You are not obligated to accept the provider relief funds. The purpose of these funds was to provide healthcare providers and suppliers with an immediate cash infusion in order to assist them in paying for COVID-related expenses and/or to offset lost revenues attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you are not willing to abide by the Terms and Conditions associated with these funds, you must contact HHS within thirty (30) days of receipt of payment, and then return the full amount of the funds to HHS as instructed. The CARES Act Provider Relief Fund Payment Attestation Portal provides instructions on the steps involved in rejecting the funds. Please note that your failure to contact HHS within 30 days to arrange for the return of these funds will be deemed to be an acceptance of the Terms and Conditions.
Question #3: Our organization has elected to retain the provider relief funds. Are there any major restrictions on how we can use these funds?
Answer #3: Yes. In the Terms and Conditions, HHS has indicated that you must certify that the funds will only be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. You are also required to certify that the funding will only be used for health-care related expenses and/or to offset lost revenues that are attributable to coronavirus.
You are specifically required to certify that you will not use the relief funding to reimburse expenses or losses that have been reimbursed from other sources or that other sources are obligated to reimburse.
While the language in the Terms and Conditions are somewhat ambiguous, the AAA interprets this to mean that you must certify that your organization’s operations have been impacted, in some way, by the national response to the coronavirus. The AAA further interprets this language as requiring that, on net, the coronavirus pandemic has had an adverse impact on either your operations (in terms of added costs) or your revenues (in terms of decreased revenues). At the present time, the AAA believes that most, if not all, of our members that are currently providing services in response to the coronavirus pandemic will meet this standard.
Note: one situation where a provider may not be eligible for provider relief funding would be a situation where the provider ceased operations prior to January 31, 2020. For example, a provider that ceased operations on December 31, 2019. Because the ambulance provider was paid for Medicare FFS services furnished in 2019, it may receive provider relief funding. However, if the organization’s operations ceased prior to the onset of the current state of emergency, it would not be able to meet the requirement that it provided diagnoses, testing, or care for individuals with possible or actual cases of COVID-19. In this situation, the ambulance provider would likely be obligated to reject the provider relief funding.
Question #4: Are there any other restrictions on our use of provider relief funding?
Answer #4: Yes. In addition to the restrictions discussed in Answer #3 above, you are also restricted from using the provider relief funding for any of the following purposes:
Question #5: How will HHS verify that the provider relief funding is being used for an appropriate purpose?
Answer #5: HHS will require all recipients of provider relief funding to submit reports “as the Secretary determines are needed to ensure compliance with the conditions imposed.” HHS indicated that it will provide future program instructions to recipients that specifies the form and content of these reports. Recipients will also be required to maintain appropriate records and cost documentation to substantiate how provider relief funds were spent, and to provide copies of such records to HHS upon request.
In addition, ambulance providers and suppliers that receive, in the aggregate, more than $150,000 in funds under the CARES Act, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, and any other legislation that makes appropriations for coronavirus response and related activities will be required to submit a report within 10 days of the end of each calendar quarter. These reports must specify: (1) the total amount of funds received from HHS under each of these pieces of legislation, (2) the amount of funds received that was spent or obligated to be spend, and (3) a detailed list of all projects or activities for which large covered funds were expended or obligated.
Question #6: We understand that one of the conditions associated with the provider relief funding is that we agree not to balance bill patients. Is our understanding correct?
Answer #6: The Terms and Conditions do contain provisions that would likely place restrictions on your ability to balance-bill patients.
In order to understand these restrictions, it is probably helpful to understand the underlying purpose of the restriction. The actual language from the Terms and Conditions reads as follows:
“The Secretary has concluded that the COVID-19 public health emergency has caused many healthcare providers to have capacity constraints. As a result, patients that would ordinarily be able to choose to receive all care from in-network healthcare providers may no longer be able to receive such care in-network. Accordingly, for all care for a presumptive or actual case of COVID-19, Recipient certifies that it will not seek to collect from the patient out-of-pocket expenses in an amount greater than what the patient would have otherwise been required to pay if the care had been provided by an in-network Recipient.”
As the language makes clear, HHS was not focused primarily on the practice of balance-billing. Rather, HHS’ concern was that many healthcare providers would have capacity restraints. As a result, patients may be restricted in their ability to receive care from their normal providers (who are presumably in-network with the patient’s insurer). HHS’ intent was to ensure that the patient does not suffer any adverse financial consequences as a result of seeking care for presumptive or actual cases of COVID-19. It accomplishes this goal by requiring the recipient of provider relief funds to agree not to collect from the patient out-of-pocket expenses that are greater than what the patient would have incurred has the care been provided by an in-network provider.
This is being interpreted as a ban on “balance-billing” because most commercial insurers require their contracted providers to accept the plan’s allowed amount as payment-in-full, i.e., to agree to only bill the patient for applicable copayments and deductibles.
Ambulance providers and suppliers should keep in mind that this will not impact the payment of claims from: (1) Medicare, Medicaid or other state and federal health care programs that already require you to accept the program’s allowed amount as payment-in-full, (2) commercial insurers with which the organization currently contracts, and (3) the uninsured. In other words, this requirement only impacts payments from commercial insurers with which the organization currently does not contract.
At this point in time, it is expected that non-contracted commercial insurers will process your claim and make a determination as to whether the claim is related to the treatment and care of a presumptive or actual case of COVID-19. If the plan determines that the services you furnished were COVID-related, they will likely pay you the in-network rate they have established with contracted providers in your services area. The plan will likely then issue a remittance notice that indicates that you may not bill the patient for any balance over the insurer’s payment. Note: many of the larger commercial insurers have indicated that they will waive the copayments and deductibles due from patients for COVID-related claims. If the plan waives the copayment and deductibles, they will pay these amounts to you as part of their payment of the claim. If they do not waive the copayment and deductible, you will be permitted to seek to collect these amounts from the patient. If the plan determines that the services you furnished were not COVID-related, they will continue to pay your claims using their normal claims processing, and you would be permitted to balance bill the patient to the extent otherwise permitted under state and local law.
There is still a good deal of confusion related to this aspect of the CARES Act Provider Relief Funding. It is expected that HHS will be issuing further clarification in the days to come. The AAA will update this FAQ to reflect any updated guidance from HHS.
Download materials from Akin Gump including aid summaries and how-to guides on qualifying for tax credits and deferments and applying for financial assistance.
CMS Clarifies Medicare Requirements Related to Medical Necessity and the Patient Signature Requirement during Current National State of Emergency
By Brian S. Werfel, Esq.
On April 9, 2020, CMS updated its Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for billing Medicare Fee-For-Service Claims during the current national state of emergency. This document includes guidance for numerous industry types, including ambulance services. The ambulance-specific questions start on page 11.
Two of the more common questions that A.A.A. members have asked during the current crisis are:
CMS did provide some guidance on both of these issues.
CMS addressed the issue of medical necessity in its answer to Question #9 on page 13. The question posed to CMS was whether an ambulance provider/supplier could consider any COVID-19 positive patient to meet the medical necessity requirements for an ambulance. CMS responded as follows:
“Answer: The medical necessity requirements for coverage of ambulance services have not been changed. For both emergency and non-emergency ambulance transportation, Medicare pays for ground (land and water) and air ambulance transport services only if they are furnished to a Medicare beneficiary whose medical condition is such that other forms of transportation are contraindicated. The beneficiary’s condition must require both the ambulance transportation itself and the level of service provided for the billed services to be considered medically necessary.”
Basically, CMS declined to offer a blanket waiver of the medical necessity requirements for COVID-19 patients. In doing so, CMS seems to be suggesting that COVID-19 status, in and of itself, is not sufficient to establish Medicare coverage for an ambulance transport.
Fortunately, CMS did offer specific relief on the Medicare patient signature requirement. The question posed to CMS on page 16 (Question #14) was whether an ambulance provider/supplier could sign on the patient’s behalf to the extent the patient was known or suspected to be infected with COVID-19, and, as a result, asking the patient (or an authorized representative) to sign the Tablet would risk contaminating the device for future patients and/or ambulance personnel. CMS responded as follows:
“Answer: Yes, but only under specific, limited circumstances. CMS will accept the signature of the ambulance provider’s or supplier’s transport staff if that beneficiary or an authorized representative gives verbal consent. CMS has determined that there is good cause to accept transport staff signatures under these circumstances. See 42 CFR 424.36(e). CMS recommends that ambulance providers and suppliers follow the Centers for Disease Control’s Interim Guidance for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems and 911 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) for COVID-19 in the United States, which can be found at the following link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-for-ems.html. This guidance includes general guidelines for cleaning or maintaining EMS transport vehicles and equipment after transporting a patient with known or suspected COVID-19. However, in cases where it would not be possible or practical (such as a difficult to clean surface) to disinfect the electronic device after being touched by a beneficiary with known or suspected COVID-19, documentation should note the verbal consent.”
Essentially, CMS is indicating that you can accept a patient’s verbal consent to the submission of a claim in lieu of a written signature. In these instances, CMS is indicating that the crew must clearly document that they have obtained the patient’s (or the authorized representative’s) verbal consent.
The 2020 Medicare Reference Manual and the 2020 Medicare Update Webinar are both available for purchase. Please see details below!
Thursday, April 30, 2020 | 2:00pm EST
Presenter: Brian Werfel, Esq.
$99 for AAA-Members | $198 for Non-Members
Join A.A.A. Medicare Consultant Brian S. Werfel, Esq. for an update on recent changes to Medicare’s coverage of ambulance services. This webinar coincides with the American Ambulance Association’s release of its 2020 Medicare Reference Manual. Brian will discuss recent changes in Medicare policy, including changes to the rules governing the enforcement of fraud and abuse, the appeals process, etc. We will also discuss Medicare’s proposed plan for the ET3 Program, the national expansion of the prior authorization model for scheduled non-emergency transports, and much more.
Of course, we will also discuss Medicare’s coverage of ambulance services during the current COVID-19 process. This will include a frank discussion of the issues related to medical necessity for the transportation of known or suspected COVID-19 patients, the coverage of transports to field hospitals and other alternative destinations, the current status of certain administrative rules like the Medicare patient signature requirement and the Notice of Privacy Practices, etc.
The session will include an extended Q&A period to address any and all questions from attendees. Purchase Webinar►
*2020 Medicare Reference Manual Sold Separately*
The American Ambulance Association’s 2020 Medicare Reference Manual is a must-have for ambulance services that bill Medicare for transports.
Section 3709 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act temporarily suspends the 2% payment adjustment currently applied to all Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) claims due to sequestration. The suspension is effective for claims with dates of service from May 1 through December 31, 2020.
On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). As part of that Act, Congress allocated $100 billion to the creation of a “CARES Act Provider Relief Fund,” which will be used to support hospitals and other healthcare providers on the front lines of the nation’s coronavirus response. These funds will be used to fund healthcare-related expenses or to offset lost revenue attributable to COVID-10. These funds will also be used to ensure that uninsured Americans have access to testing a treatment for COVID-19. Collectively, this funding is referred to as the “CARES Act Provider Relief Fund.”
On April 9, 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) indicated that it would be disbursing the first $30 billion of relief funding to eligible providers and suppliers starting on April 10, 2020. This money will be disbursed via direct deposit into eligible providers and supplier bank accounts. Please note that these are outright payments, i.e., these are not loans that will need to be repaid.
HHS indicated that any healthcare provider or supplier that received Medicare Fee-For-Service reimbursements in 2019 will be eligible for the initial allocation. Payments to practices that are part of larger medical groups will be sent to the group’s central billing office (based on Medicare enrollment information). HHS indicated that billing organizations will be identified by their Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TINs).
Yes. As a condition to receiving relief funding, a healthcare provider or supplier must agree not to seek to collection out-of-pocket payments from COVID-19 patients that are greater than what the patient would have otherwise been required to pay if the care had been provided by an in-network provider.
HHS indicated that the amounts healthcare providers and suppliers will receive will be based on their pro-rata share of total Medicare FFS expenditures in 2019. HHS indicated that Medicare FFS payments totaled $484 billion in 2019.
Providers and suppliers can estimate their initial relief payment amount by dividing their 2019 Medicare FFS reimbursement by $484 billion, and then multiplying that “ratio” by $30 billion. Note: payments from Medicare Advantage plans are not included in the calculation of a provider’s/supplier’s total 2019 Medicare payments.
As an example, HHS cited a community hospital that received $121 million in Medicare payments in 2019. HHS indicated that this hospital’s ratio would be 0.00025. That amount is then multiplied by $30 billion to come up with its initial relief fund payment of $7.5 million.
The AAA has created a CARES Act Provider Relief Calculator
that you can use to estimate your initial relief payment. |
USE DOWNLOADABLE EXCEL CALCULATOR►
No. You do not need to do anything to receive your relief funding. HHS has partnered with UnitedHealth Group (UHG) to disburse these monies using the Automated Clearing House (ACH) system. Payments will be made automatically to the ACH account information on file with UHG or CMS.
Providers and suppliers that are normally paid by CMS through paper checks will receive a check from CMS within the next few weeks.
The ACH deposit will come to you via Optum Bank. The payment description will read “HHSPayment.”
Yes. You will need to sign an attestation statement confirming relief of the funds within 30 days. These attestations will be made through a webportal that HHS anticipates opening the week of April 13, 2020. The portal will need to be accessed through the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund webpage, which can be accessed by clicking here.
You will also be required to accept the Terms and Conditions within 30 days. Providers and suppliers that do not wish to accept these terms and conditions are required to notify HHS within 30 days, and then remit full repayment of the relief funds. The Terms and Conditions can be reviewed by clicking here.
HHS has indicated that it intends to use the remaining relief funds to make targeted distributions to providers in areas particularly impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak, rural providers, providers of services with lower shares of Medicare reimbursement or who predominantly serve Medicaid populations, and providers requesting reimbursement for the treatment of uninsured Americans.
Beginning today, ambulance service suppliers and providers should start automatically receiving an allocation of payments from the Public Health and Social Emergency Fund. According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), an initial distribution of $30 billion of the funds appropriated through the CARES Act will be distributed to Medicare providers and suppliers over the next week. The Fund was appropriated at $100 billion but not all the funds will be distributed as direct payments to providers and suppliers.
HHS is determining the amount of individual payments based on the proportion of the 2019 Medicare payments to the provider or supplier compared to total outlays for Medicare fee-for-service that year of $484 billion. The AAA estimates a total of approximately $265 million will be distributed to ground ambulance services in the initial round of payments. While the initial payments are a good start, the AAA is pushing for ambulance services to receive ten times that amount in initial relief.
The AAA had advocated for funding in the CARES Act for ambulance services and on April 6, the AAA sent HHS Secretary Azar a letter requesting that ambulance service providers and suppliers receive $48,000 per registered ambulance for financial relief from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The AAA is pushing for a similar amount within future economic stimulus packages as well as several other proposals for legislative and regulatory relief.
On Monday, the AAA will be issuing a Call To Action to its members focusing on four of the provisions on our below list.
Priority Access for EMS to PPE and COVID-19 Testing
EMS Services Coverage and Reimbursement for COVID-19 Response
EMS System Financial Sustainability in Response to COVID-19
The AAA greatly appreciates the work of our members on the front lines of treating, transporting and testing patients with COVID-19 and we will continue to push for help for you.
On April 8, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it will be delaying the start of the Emergency Triage, Treat and Transport (ET3) Model until Fall 2020. The ET3 Model was previously set to start on May 1, 2020. CMS cited the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason for this delay.
In its delay notice, CMS also reminded the EMS industry that it has issued a number of temporary regulatory waivers and new rules that are designed to give health care providers and suppliers maximum flexibility to respond to the current national emergency. This includes a number of flexibilities offered specifically to the ambulance industry.
CMS announced at the end of last week that it is expanding its Accelerated Payment Program. The goal of the program is to address cash flow problems arising from the public health emergency. The program functions as a short-term loan with no interest.
To qualify for advance/accelerated payments the provider/supplier must: (1) Have billed Medicare for claims within 180 days immediately prior to the date of signature on the provider’s/supplier’s request form; (2) Not be in bankruptcy; (3) Not be under active medical review or program integrity investigation; and (4) Not have any outstanding delinquent Medicare overpayments.
Qualified providers/suppliers will be asked to request a specific amount using an Accelerated or Advance Payment Request form provided on each MAC’s website. Most providers and suppliers will be able to request up to 100% of the Medicare payment amount for a three-month period. All non-hospital Part A providers and Part B suppliers will have 210 days from the date of the accelerated or advance payment was made to repay the balance.
The provider/supplier can continue to submit claims as usual after the issuance of the accelerated or advance payment; however, recoupment will not begin for 120 days. Providers/ suppliers will receive full payments for their claims during the 120-day delay period. At the end of the 120-day period, the recoupment process will begin and every claim submitted by the provider/supplier will be offset from the new claims to repay the accelerated/advanced payment. Thus, instead of receiving payment for newly submitted claims, the provider’s/supplier’s outstanding accelerated/advance payment balance is reduced by the claim payment amount. This process is automatic.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 28, 2020
Contact: CMS Media Relations
(202) 690-6145 | CMS Media Inquiries
Trump Administration Provides Financial Relief for Medicare Providers
Action comes to aid providers and suppliers facing challenges in responding to COVID-19 pandemic
Under the President’s leadership, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is announcing an expansion of its accelerated and advance payment program for Medicare participating health care providers and suppliers, to ensure they have the resources needed to combat the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). This program expansion, which includes changes from the recently enacted Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, is one way that CMS is working to lessen the financial hardships of providers facing extraordinary challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and ensures the nation’s providers can focus on patient care. There has been significant disruption to the healthcare industry, with providers being asked to delay non-essential surgeries and procedures, other healthcare staff unable to work due to childcare demands, and disruption to billing, among the challenges related to the pandemic.
“With our nation’s health care providers on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19, dollars and cents shouldn’t be adding to their worries,” said CMS Administrator Seema Verma. “Unfortunately, the major disruptions to the healthcare system caused by COVID-19 are a significant financial burden on providers. Today’s action will ensure that they have the resources they need to maintain their all-important focus on patient care during the pandemic.”
Medicare provides coverage for 37.4 million beneficiaries in its Fee for Service (FFS) program, and made $414.7 billion in direct payments to providers during 2019. This effort is part of the Trump Administration’s White House Coronavirus Task Force effort to combat the spread of COVID-19 through a whole-of-America approach, with a focus on strengthening and leveraging public-private relationships.
Accelerated and advance Medicare payments provide emergency funding and addresses cash flow issues based on historical payments when there is disruption in claims submission and/or claims processing. These expedited payments are typically offered in natural disasters to accelerate cash flow to the impacted health care providers and suppliers. In this situation, CMS is expanding the program for all Medicare providers throughout the country during the public health emergency related to COVID-19. The payments can be requested by hospitals, doctors, durable medical equipment suppliers and other Medicare Part A and Part B providers and suppliers.
To qualify for accelerated or advance payments, the provider or supplier must:
Medicare will start accepting and processing the Accelerated/Advance Payment Requests immediately. CMS anticipates that the payments will be issued within seven days of the provider’s request.
An informational fact sheet on the accelerated/advance payment process and how to submit a request can be found here: www.cms.gov/files/document/Accelerated-and-Advanced-Payments-Fact-Sheet.pdf
This action, and earlier CMS actions in response to COVID-19, are part of the ongoing White House Coronavirus Task Force efforts. To keep up with the important work the Task Force is doing in response to COVID-19, visit www.coronavirus.gov. For a complete and updated list of CMS actions, and other information specific to CMS, please visit the Current Emergencies Website.
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Recorded: Thursday, March 26th | 12:00pm Eastern
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FAQ of unanswered webinar questions:
The request into CMS and leadership during the declared public health emergency is to allow all ambulance providers and suppliers to transport patients or treat in place based upon the concepts outlined in the Emergency Triage, Treatment and Transport model as defined by CMMI’s release last year.
If CMS follows other waiver provisions that they have been approving, then we would expect the waiver to be retroactive. However, that will be clearly identified when and if the final waiver is approved.
You will need to understand the nuances around telehealth and what Medicare requires as a covered benefit for telehealth. Please see attached resources below
That is unclear at this time. The AAA has been advocating for national policy that would not include an application process during this public health emergency. If CMS accepts our proposal, then we do not expect an application process.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has established new codes related to COVID-19. They are available in this link: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/icd/ICD-10-CM-Official-Coding-Gudance-Interim-Advice-coronavirus-feb-20-2020.pdf
Yes, you can bill for any response. I am assuming you are looking to understand who the payer source will be for those responses. Currently, Medicare does not pay for an ambulance response without a subsequent medically necessary transport to a covered destination.
The lift assist and public assist responses may be billed to whoever the caller source is if there is no state or local law that prohibits this practice.
Suggestion: You could work with your state legislature or local governing body to codify in statute or local ordinance the responsibility for these false alarms, or public assists are the responsibility of the requestor and invoke penalties if not paid. There are many local jurisdictions that codify this in law with prescribed penalties to try and deter this abuse.
Medicare has not changed its requirements for transporting beneficiaries to/from dialysis facilities. We understand that some MACs recognize as a primary reason for ambulance transport patients who have a communicable disease or hazardous material exposure and must be isolated from the public or whose medical condition must be protected from public exposure. Some MACs do not view this condition as a primary reason to transport a patient, however. The AAA is seeking clarification from CMS to try to align MACs around the view that patients who require isolation because of a communicable disease or hazardous material exposure can be transported by ground ambulances.
Great question. Yes. We will wait and see final direction from CMS if they approved transport to a COVID-19 testing site.
Yes, that is the waiver that we are seeking from CMS. They could recommend a different modifier. It should be noted that States do have the authority to request a waiver to allow for this, as well. You do not have to wait on the CMS.
On February 20, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued guidance on the ICD-10 codes that should be used. You can find this guidance at the following site:
Best practices would be to provide instruction or edits within your PCR that identifies the following: (1) COVID-19 suspected or positive patient; (2) PPE equipment used (not just a general statement); and (3) any other pertinent information related to the inability to sign any forms due to local or state mandates.
Due to circumstances surrounding this national emergency that we have not experienced before, things are constantly changing. Documentation will be the CRITICAL in helping to obtain additional federal, state and local waivers. Accurate and reliable documentation will be key in building the case retrospectively.
CMS has provided the following guidance:
“At this time, suppliers should do their best to obtain proof of delivery and should notate the file that the beneficiary declined to sign. Where FedEx or similar delivery services have altered their delivery protocols (such as leaving packages at the home without signatures) due to the COVID-19 pandemic, CMS will consider the revised protocols if conducting review absent suspicion of deliberate gaming or attempted fraud. Suppliers should continue providing the necessary supplies and document the proof of delivery to the best of their ability (such as a picture of the delivery and/or notation in the file). “
The link below is a great tutorial on how 1135 waivers work and tracking existing waivers.
The health agency in your state would be your POC to engage regarding ambulance requests for expanded services via the 1135 waiver.
Each payer is issuing specific claims guidance on how to bill for waived services through the 1135. You will need to check with your state Department of Insurance or Medicaid Agency. They should have resources online to assist you with identifying what specific documentation is needed.
No. At this point the program remains underway. The first set of services required to submit were notified at the end of 2019. CMS continues to develop the tool it will use to collect the data, which we expect to see later this summer or early fall. However, if the pandemic continues, we will engage with CMS to determine how they view data collection.
If you have an additional questions, please email the AAA at info@ambulance.org
Asbel has been a member of the American Ambulance Association (AAA) for eight years and has served on its Board of Directors; he currently is Chair of the Payment Reform Steering Committee. Asbel also sits on the board of the Louisiana Ambulance Alliance. He is a respected thought leader on reimbursement initiatives within the industry and is a requested speaker at many conferences. He has also been asked to testify as an expert witness before federal and state health committees regarding ambulance reimbursement.
Asbel began his employment with Acadian in May 2009. He oversees Acadian’s revenue cycle management, contract management, business office process improvements, and government relations for state and federal reimbursement policy initiatives.
In 1999, Asbel began working for an ambulance billing and consulting firm. After three years, he decided to work for a private, non‐emergency ambulance service. Since then, he has provided leadership in revenue cycle management to four ambulance agencies located throughout the Southeast.
Asbel pursued his education the non‐traditional way by attending college online while maintaining a fulltime job. He received an associate’s degree in accounting in 2007 and graduated in November 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in business management.
Asbel is married to Stephenie Haney‐Montes. He has one daughter and resides in Carencro, LA.
Kathleen Lester provides legal and strategic advice on legislative and regulatory matters involving Medicare and Medicaid coverage and reimbursement, quality measurement (including valuebased purchasing programs), federal health care funding, health information technology, and medical and Internet privacy — including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations, other federal and state privacy laws.
Ms. Lester practices at the intersection of health care law and public policy. She focuses her practice on finding solutions to her clients’ problems by assisting them with compliance programs and by seeking legislative or regulatory modifications. She has worked with health care providers and suppliers to modernize their payment structures within the Medicare program. She also assists non-profit organizations navigate the complex maze of federal funding and the authorization process for public health programs. She has worked with manufacturers to ensure coverage and appropriate reimbursement. She helps clients identify and resolve issues that arise from creating, collecting, maintaining, using, and disclosing personal health information. She has been deeply involved in measure development, as well as the creation and implementation of value-based purchasing programs in the Medicare program.
Ms. Lester has served a wide variety of health care providers, including physicians, dialysis facilities, hospitals, long-term care providers, home respiratory suppliers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, device companies, and patient organizations. She also has assisted with the formation and growth of industry-wide coalitions. Ms. Lester has experience in all three branches of the federal government.
Ms. Lester served as a privacy consultant in the Office of General Counsel to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), where she finalized the HIPAA Privacy Rule. Ms. Lester also served as law clerk to the Honorable Michael S. Kanne, Circuit Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit and worked for Senator Richard G. Lugar (R-IN). Prior to opening her own firm, Ms. Lester was a partner in the health care group at Patton Boggs LLP.
During her time at Johns Hopkins, Ms. Lester served on a number of research and review boards, including the Human Genome Project’s Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues Working Group. She has an undergraduate degree in biology with an emphasis on microbiology and genetic research.
Ms. Lester received her J.D. from Georgetown University (cum laude), her M.P.H. from The Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, and her B.A. from DePauw University (magna cum laude). She is a member of the District of Columbia, Indiana, and Maryland bars and is admitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit.
On March 9, 2020, CMS published a memorandum to State Survey Agency Directors that provides updated guidance on the obligations of hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs) under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA). This guidance was issued in response to numerous inquiries regarding the EMTALA obligations of these facilities as they struggle to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under EMTALA, hospitals and CAHs with emergency departments have an obligation to provide an appropriate medical screening examination to any individual that comes into the emergency department seeking examination or treatment of an emergency medical condition. Hospitals and CAHs are further required to make a determination as to whether the patient actually has an emergency medical condition, and, if so, to provide stabilizing treatment within the hospital’s capabilities, or make appropriate arrangements to transfer the patient to a facility that does have the necessary capabilities.
The hospitals and CAHs had requested guidance on how they can fulfill their basic EMTALA obligations while minimizing the risks of exposure from COVID-19 infected individuals to their staff and other patients in their emergency departments.
Note: in summarizing the CMS guidance document, references to a “hospital” will include both hospitals and CAHs.
Acceptance of Patients Suspected or Confirmed to be Infected with COVID-19
CMS indicated that hospitals with the capacity and the specialized capabilities needed to provide stabilizing treatments are required to accept transfers from hospitals without the necessary capabilities. CMS indicated that it would take into account the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in assessing a hospital’s capabilities and capacity. CMS further indicated that the presence or absence of negative pressure rooms (Airborne Infection Isolation Room (AIIR)) would not be the sole determining factor related to determining when an EMTALA transfer is required. CMS is advising hospitals to coordinate with their state and local public health officials regarding the appropriate placement of individuals who meet specific COVID-19 assessment criteria, as well as the most current standards for treating patients confirmed to be infected with COVID-19.
CMS is further confirming that hospitals have the ability to set up alternative screening sites on the hospital campus, i.e., the initial medical screening exam does not need to take place in the emergency department. CMS is confirming that individuals may be redirected to an alternative screening site after being logged into the emergency department. This redirection can even take place outside the entrance to the emergency department. Medical screening exams conducted in alternative screening sites must still be conducted by qualifying personnel (i.e., physicians, NPs, Pas, or RNs).
CMS is also indicating that hospitals may set up screening sites at “off-campus, hospital-controlled” sites. Hospitals and community officials may encourage the public to go to these sites instead of the hospital for screening for influenza-like illnesses. However, a hospital cannot tell an individual that has already presented at their emergency department to go to an off-site location for their medical screening exam. Unless the off-campus site is already considered to be a dedicated ED (e.g., a free-standing ED) under EMTALA regulations, the EMTALA regulations would not apply to these off-site screening areas; however, the hospital would be required under its Medicare Conditions of Participation to arrange a referral/transfer to an appropriate hospital if the patient has a need for emergency medical attention.
Finally, communities may set up screening clinics at sites not under the control of a hospital. These sites would not be subject to EMTALA.
EMTALA Obligations when a Screening Suggests Possible COVID-19 Infection
To the extent a hospital determines, following a medical screening exam that a patient may be a possible COVID-19 case, the hospital is expected to isolate the patient immediately. CMS indicated that it expects that all hospitals will be able to provide medical screening exams and initiate stabilizing treatment while maintaining isolation requirements.
Once an individual is admitted to the hospital or the emergency medical condition ends, the hospital has no further obligations under EMTALA.
CMS is further reminding hospitals that the latest screening guidance from the CDC calls for hospitals to contact their State or local public health officials when they have a case of suspected COVID-19.