References

Tufts recently announced some coverage and benefit changes.  The articles linked below were featured in the May 1, 2020 (all-network) issue of Provider Update. As a reminder, the 60-day notifications listed below are effective beginning July 1, 2020.

You can click on  register to receive Provider Update by email.

Coverage Updates
Pharmacy Coverage Changes — Tufts Health RITogether and Tufts Health Together
Pharmacy Coverage Changes — Commercial and Tufts Health Direct
Behavioral Health: Additional Required Benefits for Child-Adolescent Behavioral Health Disorders
Group Insurance Commission (GIC) Navigator and Spirit Plan Changes
New Diabetes Management Program for GIC Navigator and Spirit Plans
Claim Submission — Tufts Health RITogether
Behavioral Health: Code Changes for Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Services — Tufts Health RITogether
Correct Coding Reminder
Commercial Physician and Outpatient Hospital Fee Schedules to Be Updated

Dr. Jeremy Whyman shares resources on  how to effectively communicate with elderly patients about their care. Click here

https://www.capc.org/toolkits/covid-19-response-resources/ and Under: What's in the Toolkit, click on communication scripts and conversation videos (for assistance with conversation, framing). 

Also follow this link https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/post-hospital-syndrome-tips-to-keep-yourself-or-a-loved-one-healthy-after-hospitalization-2019012315830  to find symptom management protocols for assistance with acute symptom management at home.

The following  home hospice agencies are currently treating COVID-19 patients:

• Good Shepherd
• Norwell
• Seasons Hospice
• VNA Hospice
• Cranberry
• The Hospice of Fisher Home
• Hebrew Senior Life

We also encourage you to sign up to access the Experian Public Service Portal, which will offer you real-time payer policy updates during the COVID-19 pandemic. First-time users will need to complete a simple welcome form to access the portal. 

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced an initial $30 billion in immediate relief funds that will be distributed to all Medicare billing facilities and providers starting today. Providers will receive a portion of the $30 billion based on their share of 2019 Medicare-fee-for-service (FFS) revenue (payable to the organization's Tax Identification Number), and must sign an attestation confirming receipt of the funds and agree to the terms and conditions within 30 days of receiving payment. 

 In order to increase cash flow to providers of services and suppliers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the CMS has expanded its current Accelerated and Advance Payment Program to a broader group of Medicare Part A providers and Part B suppliers. The expansion of this program is only for the duration of the public health emergency. Details on the eligibility, and the request process can be reached through the link below. The information reflects the passage of the CARES Act (P.L. 116-136). 

 https://www.cms.gov/files/document/Accelerated-and-Advanced-Payments-Fact-Sheet.pdf 

On 3/23/2020 CMS released Frequently Asked Questions on Medicare Provider Enrollment Relief related to COVID-19 including the toll-free hotlines available to provide expedited enrollment and answer questions related to COVID-19 enrollment requirements.

This relief includes a postponement on revalidation actions.

A copy of the FAQs can be found here: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/provider-enrollment-relief-faqs-covid-19.pdf