Situation Report | July 6, 2021
HCA has sent to the state Department of Health (DOH) a list, in priority order, of specific regulatory relief measures that should continue past the recent expiration of the public health emergency declaration.
HCA had previously sent a chart detailing specific relief measures, but our earlier list did not include an order of priority (see the June 28 Situation Report).
While DOH has issued guidance that allows the continued use of expanded telehealth services and billing beyond the now-expired public health emergency declaration, there are many other areas for which HCA members have sought continued relief.
These include timeframes for initial visits; supervision of home health, personal care and hospice aides; home health aide (HHA) training program supervised practical training; extensions of approved personal care aide and HHA Training Programs; aide in-service training requirements; use of out-of-state and/or non-registered health professionals; and more.
A July 2 special edition of DOH’s Medicaid Update includes a Comprehensive Guidance Regarding Use of Telehealth including Telephonic Services. This updated guidance informs Medicaid providers of the state Medicaid program’s continued coverage of services provided via telehealth for the duration of the federally declared Public Health Emergency, or until subsequent guidance is issued. This updated guidance was effective on June 25, 2021.