State Health and Value Strategies (SHVS), in partnership with Manatt Health, Georgetown’s Center on Health Insurance Reforms (CHIR), State Health Access Data Assistance Center (SHADAC), Bailit Health, and GMMB developed this resource page to serve as an accessible “one-stop” source of COVID-19 information for states. This resource is designed to support states seeking to make coverage and essential services available to all of their residents, especially high risk and vulnerable people, during the COVID-19 pandemic. SHVS will update this page frequently with new resources as they become available.
| If you have materials you are willing to share with other states through this page, or if there are topics of particular concern that you would like addressed, please contact SHVS. |
Synopsis from GAO on the development of COVID-19 vaccine, including how the typical vaccine development process may be accelerated due to the severity of the COVID-19 crisis.
HHS submitted its initial report to Congress detailing the national approach to testing and the testing ecosystem. The report includes key components of a state’s testing plan and actual and recommended targets for states’ and territories’ COVID-19 test rates. HHS is required to submit this report to Congress every 90 days until funds are expended.
This analysis examines the interplay between the Provider Relief Funds and its impact on balance/surprise billing.
New York’s Department of Health issued a directive determining that COVID-19 testing of nursing home and adult care facility personnel is medically necessary and twice weekly testing is essential. The health directive was accompanied by a concurrent New York Department of Financial Services directive to insurers requiring coverage of twice weekly testing of all nursing home and adult facility personnel without cost sharing.
CARES Act Provider Relief Fund General Distribution FAQs
New York’s Department of Financial Services released a directive to insurers requiring coverage of twice weekly testing of all nursing home and adult facility personnel without cost sharing. The directive applies broadly to insuers, including Medicaid and Marketplace plans. The insurance directive was accompanied by a concurrent New York’s Department of Health directive determining that COVID-19 testing of nursing home and adult care facility personnel is medically necessary and twice weekly testing is essential.
This Health Affairs blog post highlights states’ policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as their proactive approaches to addressing a wide range of health concerns.
CDC issued a compilation of guidance on its COVID-19 surveillance activities and a framework of indicators for state and local jurisdictions to assess the feasibility of re-opening
IHS announced its allocations of the $750 million Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund for Tribal Organizations authorized through the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act.
On May 18, the CDC announced $10.25 billion in awards for states, localities, and territories to spend on: the development, purchase, administration, processing, and analysis of COVID-19 tests; surveillance; contact tracing; and related activities. States are required to submit COVID-19 testing projections for May and June 2020 to the CDC by May 30, 2020 and projections for July through December 2020 by June 15, 2020
The guidance document outlines COVID-19 emergency declaration “blanket waivers” for healthcare providers and is regularly updated by CMS. Recent updates include: – Revising the existing “”physical environment”” waivers for hospitals to support activities related to both surge capacity and appropriate quarantining and to clarify that it does not modify hospitals’ obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), to “avoid subjecting persons with disabilities to unjustified institutionalization or segregation
HHS announced that the Indian Health Service (IHS) will administer the $750 million allocation for Tribal organizations of the $11 billion authorized by the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (PPPHCEA) for Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund for COVID-19 testing and tracing. HHS conveyed that a more detailed announcement for this funding opportunity is expected in the coming days.The remaining $10.25 billion will be administered by the CDC as part of the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) Cooperative Agreement for states, localities, and territories to spend on COVID-19 testing and tracing.
HRSA announced $225 million in awards to 4,549 Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) for COVID-19 testing, as authorized through the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act. Each RHC received a flat amount of just under $50,000, which may be used for a wide range COVID-19 testing and related expenses.
Price Transparency: Requirements for Providers to Make Public Cash Prices for COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing
CMS issued an interim final rule with comment period (IFC) that provides additional flexibilities for Medicare, Medicaid, and Exchange coverage programs as a result of COVID-19 and also implements regulations in response to recently enacted stimulus legislation.
The Pathways to Coverage for COVID-19 Testing and Treatment for Adults toolkit provides an overview for states of various coverage pathways for individuals, including those who are uninsured, in need of COVID-19 testing and treatment. The toolkit provides varying pathways for Medicaid expansion and non-expansion states.
The Social Interventions Research and Evaluation Network (SIREN) at the University of California San Francisco, is a research organization focused on the intersection of medical and social services. In response to the COVID-19 crisis, SIREN has developed a resource center of sites aggregating data about health equity, policy, and social risk related to the coronavirus and related financial crisis.
CMS issued a toolkit on mitigating COVID-19 prevalence in nursing homes that catalogs solutions designed at the state level sourced from healthcare providers, state Governors, and other stakeholders. State actions catalogued in the toolkit include those related to: cleaning/disinfection, reporting/guidance, testing, workforce and staffing, nursing home communications, procuring and improving utilization of PPE, housing and sheltering, patient transfer, and telehealth (among others).
CMS issued an interim final rule with comment period (IFC) that provides additional flexibilities for Medicare, Medicaid, Basic Health Program, and Exchange coverage programs as a result of COVID-19 and also implements regulations in response to recently enacted stimulus legislation. The IFC is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on May 8. Public comments will be accepted for 60 days following posting to the Federal Register.
HRSA awarded nearly $583 million to 1,385 HRSA-funded health centers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and eight U.S. territories to expand COVID-19 testing.
Webinar recording and slide deck from webinar hosted on March 18, 2020.
HRSA announced an upcoming funding opportunity to make $15 million in awards available to tribal organizations. The funding opportunity announcement is expected on 4/21/2020 and the estimated application due date is 5/12/2020.
On Thursday, April 16 State Health and Value Strategies hosted a webinar, Implications of Health Care Provisions for States in the CARES Act, on the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed into law on March 27. The CARES Act contains a number of health care related provisions and federal funding sources to support states as they continue to work tirelessly to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. During the webinar experts from Manatt Health and Georgetown’s Center on Health Insurance Reforms highlighted funding opportunities and conducted a deep dive on key provisions relevant to states included in the CARES Act.
Webinar slides and recording that explores the key health care provisions in the second COVID-19 stimulus bill.
New joint guidance from the Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Treasury that addresses questions on the Families First and CARES Acts requirements on coverage of COVID-19 related testing services, including, for example, the requirement to cover (without cost sharing) diagnostic tests to rule out other conditions such as influenza.
Federal Guidance on the Families First and CARES Act Legislation
CMCS issued new Medicaid FAQs regarding the new optional COVID-19 testing Medicaid eligibility group, benefits and cost-sharing for COVID-19-related testing and diagnostic services, the increased FMAP available under Section 6008 of the FFCRA, and other FAQs
This expert perspective, written by experts at Manatt Health, discusses strategies state Medicaid and CHIP agencies can pursue as part of their response to COVID-19.
CMS releases an FAQ in support of communicating key changes outlined in the Medicare Interim Final Rule issued on 3/31/2020. Topics in the FAQ include payment for specimen collection, hospital services, ambulance services, RHCs, FQHCs, telehealth, and physician services.
This resource center for health departments includes FAQ, guidance and other tools related to evaluating/reporting persons under investigation, risk assessment, risk management, and emergency preparedness.
This page includes guidance and templates for the Medicaid State Plan Disaster Relief SPA and CHIP Disaster Relief SPA.
CMS issues guidance for clinicians on flexibilities related to accelerated/advance payments, telehealth services, COVID-19 testing, and claims process modifications during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
California guidance to providers to prevent discrimination related to screening and treatment for COVID-19
Infographic detailing funding to key health agencies and programs in the second COVID-19 bill, Families First Coronavirus Response Act—including the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Administration for Community Living, the Indian Health Service and Department of Veterans Affairs—as well as the amounts of the funding, the uses and the recipients
This page includes federal background information on Section 1135 waivers and a CMS-developed template for states and territories.
Infographic describing diversion scenarios for COVID-19 screening under the Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act (EMTALA).
This guidance allows practitioners further flexibility in prescribing and dispensing buprenorphine to new and existing patients with opioid use disorder via telephone without examination in person or via telemedicine.
In light of the growing number and diversity of approved 1135 waivers, this Q&A document provides a general primer on Section 1135 to help healthcare stakeholders understand the scope of what HHS and CMS can and cannot do under this emergency authority.
IRS Notice allowing HDHPs to waive cost-sharing for COVID-19 testing & treatment.
Plain-Language Information about Coverage Options, Eligibility, and COVID-Related Benefits
CCIIO guidance on COVID-19 coverage and catastrophic plans
Compilation of COVID-19 FAQs on private insurance issues.
Recordings and transcripts of CMS calls on COVID-19 with states and other stakeholders
Compilation of resources for state on Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP, including transcripts and recordings of all-state calls
This letter requests that hospitals report testing data to HHS and bed capacity and supplies to CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network on a daily basis.
Resources on waivers and flexibilities available to states and providers
MA developed a managed care plan bulletin that outlines requirement’s for coverage and billing related to COVID-19.
Second COVID-19 response / stimulus bill.
A state-by-state compendium of actions related to COVID-19 coverage.
Summary of Key Healthcare Provisions in the Second COVID-19 Stimulus Bill.
Interactive 50-state map on state DOI actions re: COVID-19
NY allowed out-of-state providers and providers in New York that are not currently registered to provide telehealth services.
This page catalogs CMS’s approved COVID-19 State Section 1135 waivers.
NY waived cost-sharing for telehealth visits with in-network providers.
In MA, through executive order, Governor Baker expanded access to telehealth services in all commercial insurers and MassHealth programs, waived all cost-sharing for any medically necessary treatment delivered via telehealth related to COVID-19 at in-network providers, waived any prior authorization barriers needed to obtain medically necessary telehealth services, and established a 24-hour process to allow medical professionals to receive a license to practice in Massachusetts
This page includes guidance and a template for COVID-19 1115 waiver demonstrations.