The Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) Network, the Center for Excellence on Protected Health Information (CoE-PHI), the National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers, and the Center for the Application of Substance Abuse Technologies (CASAT) at the University of Nevada - Reno (UNR) are facilitating a FREE, national online discussion and resource sharing opportunity for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment providers and peer support specialists faced with transitioning their services to the use of telephone and videoconferencing methods in response to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines.

Our TLC Tuesdays series provides an opportunity to learn more about the use of technology to support telehealth delivery. 

Course Description: This program is intended to provide an overview of the current pandemic (SARS-CoV-2) also known as the COVID-19 coronavirus. We will provide some basic information about the virus itself in addition to how it is impacting Rural Health Clinics (RHC), Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) and Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) from correct coding and professional billing perspectives. We will cover the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) and its impact on properly reporting telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each of the items below will be addressed throughout the session:

• A discussion of what the COVID-19 virus is
• Impact of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act)
• Applicable CPT, HCPCS II and ICD-10-CM codes will be discussed
• Telemedicine services will be covered, Telehealth visits, Virtual check-in services (VCS), E-visits
•  “Originating” versus “distant” sites
• Overview of some state-specific Medicaid directives

On March 6, 2020, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act was signed into law, making $8.3 billion in emergency funding available for federal agencies to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Included in this total is $100 million in new funds to help community health centers prevent, prepare for, and respond to the new virus.

In addition to funding, the Act also introduces enhanced flexibility relating to the use of telehealth. For example, it provides a waiver of certain Medicare telehealth legal requirements. As for Medicaid, states may use their flexibility in managing the program to increase access to services through telehealth—during the emergency, or on a permanent basis. This is all in addition to the Program Assistance Letter (PAL) released in January by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) regarding telehealth and its relationship to the scope of project under a community health center’s Public Health Service Act grant.

In this complimentary webinar, we will describe the new telehealth flexibilities in the Appropriations Act and PAL 2020-01, discuss the President's recent national emergency declaration, and explain the broader impact of each on health centers.

Health centers are currently engaged in unprecedented efforts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to reach patients efficiently and effectively, many health centers are exploring new ways to provide care to patients. For example, these services may include telehealth visits with non-health center patients, mobile testing of at-risk community members, and requests to participate in ER diversion programs. However, it is not always clear what will be covered by the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). 

In this complimentary webinar, we will explore FTCA coverage for various COVID-19 activities and discuss how you can best ensure malpractice liability protection for your health center and staff members in these unusual times.

We want to hear from you: your experience "on the ground" will be an essential part of the discussion. We look forward to hearing your questions and comments during the webinar.

HHS recently released the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC’s) Cures Act Final Rule that will help give patients safe, secure access to their health data, spur innovation, and address industry-wide information blocking practices. View this webinar for information on the Conditions of Certification. We also have a website dedicated to the final rule with overview information and detailed fact sheets. This website will continue to be updated on a regular basis with additional resources. 

Telehealth can be a means to address COVID-19 through patient monitoring, treating and limiting exposure to infection for vulnerable populations, and protecting health care workers. Telehealth cannot only expand the reach of services to communities that have limited access to needed services, but also provide minimize exposure for both the health worker and patients who are at high risk for infection. This allows patients to receive health services away from settings where potential for contracting COVID-19 are high, such as hospitals and waiting rooms. The National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers held  this webinar exploring further uses and benefits of telehealth during the COVID-19 outbreak.

HHS recently released the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC’s) Cures Act Final Rule that will help give patients safe, secure access to their health data, spur innovation, and address industry-wide information blocking practices. View the webinar recording below for information on information blocking. We also have a website dedicated to the final rule with overview information and detailed fact sheets. This website will continue to be updated on a regular basis with additional resources.

Telehealth Office Hours is a monthly opportunity for health center, PCA, and HCCN staff to ask questions and share information about telehealth-related policy and operational activities. The session will be held the second Thursday of each month at 2:00 PM EDT. In addition to updates and time for Q&A, each session will focus on a specific topic. Participation is free and there is no pre-registration required. Please add the WebEx link to your calendar. Archived presentations and resources can be found here. Please submit questions to telehealth@nachc.org.

HHS recently released the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC’s) Cures Act Final Rule that will help give patients safe, secure access to their health data, spur innovation, and address industry-wide information blocking practices. The final rule implements interoperability provisions of the bipartisan 21st Century Cures Act and promotes patient access to their health record. Putting patients in charge of their health records is a key piece of patient control in health care, and patient control is at the center of our work toward a value-based health care system. View the webinar recording and slides below for information on the final rule. We also have a website dedicated to the final rule with overview information and detailed fact sheets. This website will continue to be updated on a regular basis with additional resources.