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COVID-19 Resources
The COVID-19 resources page is where you will find helpful information, updates, and more on the coronavirus pandemic.
Helpful Resources
chronic care management (CCM)
Advanced chronic care management (CCM) is critical in a pandemic that primarily affects older persons and those with underlying health conditions. As we continue to face the highly contagious COVID-19, CCM is an even more hands-on operation that expects a lot from care managers on the front lines.
For resources and expert advice on handling CCM during coronavirus, contact the Director of Clinical Transformation, Jessica Scruton, BSN, RN, CCM at jscruton@lightbeamhealth.com.
March 22, 2021
Medicare Billing for COVID-19 Vaccine Shot Administration
CMS released new guidelines around Medicare billing for the COVID-19 vaccine.
March 15, 2021
Medicare COVID-19 Vaccine Shot Payment
Starting March 15, 2021, CMS updated the payment rates for administering the COVID-19 vaccine to Medicare patients. The single-dose payment is $40, and Medicare will pay $40 for each dose required.
November 11, 2020
Medicare Monoclonal Antibody COVID-19 Infusion Program Instruction
The monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19, bamlanivimab, received an emergency use authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The linked resource is instruction regarding its use and the rules of its administration to patients.
November 10, 2020
CMS Takes Steps to Ensure Medicare Beneficiaries Have Wide Access to COVID-19 Antibody Treatment
On November 10, CMS announced that all patients covered under Medicare could receive healthcare coverage for the COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatment. The action also allows for various reimbursement opportunities.
September 25, 2020
Flu Prevention During Coronavirus Pandemic: Infographic
Johns Hopkins Medicine released a downloadable infographic on what the public should do to prevent the spread of the flu while the COVID-19 pandemic continues across the nation.
August 3, 2020
CMS proposes telehealth changes under Trump executive order
President Trump issued an executive order on August 3rd that would make 135 temporary telehealth services permanent to improve access for patients that live in rural areas. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has begun the implementation process of these new changes.
August 3, 2020
CMS Drops Proposed Rule Impacting Quality Payment Program, MSSP ACOs
On August 3rd, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a rule that proposed new changes to the Quality Payment Program (QPP) and Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP). The changes would be for performance year 2021 and also include an optional new measure around health information exchanges (HIEs).
June 3, 2020
CMS Innovation Center Models COVID-19 Related Adjustments
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Innovation Center has expanded their models in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency. These latest adjustments increase flexibility for providers, minimize the amount of risk in uncertain times, reduce burden, and continue to provide adequate financial incentives to maintain the value-based care practices.
May 27, 2020
Trump Administration Announces Changes to Medicare Advantage and Part D to Provide Better Coverage and Increase Access for Medicare Beneficiaries
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) expanded the access to telehealth for patients in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, the benefits available for MA plan patients with chronic diseases, increased MA options for beneficiaries in rural areas, and added care access for MA patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).
May 5, 2020
CMS Publishes Second Interim Final Rule Providing Relief to Healthcare Providers during Pandemic
The downloadable document from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) outlines the second phase of regulatory changes released by CMS in light of COVID-19, as well as the delay of specific reporting requirements for the SNF Quality Reporting Program.
May 4, 2020
Medicare Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) Streamline Workflow to Perform a Thorough AWV
The American Medical Association (AMA) outlines the requirements and workflow of a comprehensive Annual Wellness Visit for Medicare patients. The guide includes questions and answers at the end of each block as well as a quiz at the end of the module.
May 1, 2020
Trump Administration Issues Second Round of Sweeping Changes to Support U.S. Healthcare System During COVID-19 Pandemic
CMS announced in a press release that they have made the second round of temporary expansions to waivers and other policies as the nation begins to reopen gradually. The new changes are meant to improve diagnostic testing and expand healthcare access and are made based on the requests from providers and through the CARES Act.
April 29, 2020
CDC COVID-19SURGE SPREADSHEET
The CDC created the COVID-19Surge, which is a tool that will generate data like ICU bed needs, ventilator needs, and others against the capacity available in a given facility into convenient spreadsheets to help provide accurate estimates.
April 28, 2020
Medicare and Medicaid Programs, Basic Health Program, and Exchanges; Additional Policy and Regulatory Revisions in Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and Delay of Certain Reporting Requirements for the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program
The interim final rule for the continuing public health emergency, detailing further temporary changes made under the 1135 waiver, including the delay of specific reporting requirements for the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program.
April 28, 2020
SAMHSA MOVES QUICKLY TO BEGIN RELEASING $110 MILLION IN EMERGENCY GRANT FUNDING TO PROVIDE AMERICANS WITH SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is taking swift action to release emergency grants to promote access to treatments for Americans battling substance abuse disorders and serious mental illnesses during COVID-19.
April 28, 2020
HHS ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL ALLOCATIONS OF CARES ACT PROVIDER RELIEF FUND
President Trump has expanded the allocation of the CARES Act to relieve American families, workers, and healthcare providers on the frontline of COVID-19. $100 billion is currently being distributed to healthcare providers who have shifted their focus solely to coronavirus patients and have needed to stop other elective procedures.
April 28, 2020
PROVISIONAL DEATH COUNTS FOR CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19): DATA UPDATES BY SELECT DEMOGRAPHIC AND GEOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS
The CDC has created a page through the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) to update the public on the current death counts based on certain demographic and geographic factors.
April 28, 2020
HHS AWARDS NEARLY $165 MILLION TO COMBAT THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN RURAL COMMUNITIES
On April 22nd, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) awarded nearly $165 million to combat COVID-19 in rural communities. The additional funding will support 1,779 small rural hospitals and provide additional funding to 14 HRSA-funded Telehealth Resource Centers (TRCs).
April 13, 2020
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ACTS TO ENSURE U.S. HEALTHCARE FACILITIES CAN MAXIMIZE FRONTLINE WORKFORCES TO CONFRONT COVID-19 CRISIS
CMS expanded its initial changes from the end of March to better equip hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facility staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. The temporary changes will allow medical team members to hire faster and maximize the use of their abilities. More information on what these changes entail can be found on the fact sheet.
April 2, 2020
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND: SWEEPING REGULATORY CHANGES TO HELP U.S. HEALTHCARE SYSTEM ADDRESS COVID-19 PATIENT SURGE
The COVID-19 virus has ushered in many significant changes to healthcare in practice and reimbursement. Providers can administer telehealth to treat beneficiaries who have audio phones only, CMS will pay the non-facility rate to physicians for telehealth services, and physicians can now treat patients at home if they have an underlying condition or a suspected or confirmed case of coronavirus. All of these efforts can help slow the spread and prevent further strain on the U.S. healthcare system. Read the additional information in the expanded CMS fact sheet.
March 31, 2020
Fact Sheet: Expansion of the Accelerated and Advance Payments Program for Providers and Suppliers During Covid-19 Emergency
During the extent of the COVID-19 pandemic, CMS has expanded the Accelerated and Advance Payment Programs to Medicare Part A providers and Part B suppliers. The details of the expansion are attached in the fact sheet, as well as FAQs on the temporary changes to these programs.
March 25, 2020
Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center and Global Cases Tracker
Johns Hopkins University created a global COVID-19 dashboard and map to track current coronavirus deaths, active cases, and recoveries. The dashboard updates in real-time to track the progression of the virus in different parts of the world.
March 23, 2020
CMS Announces Relief for Clinicians, Providers, Hospitals and Facilities Participating in Quality Reporting Programs in Response to COVID-19
CMS announced relief for those participating in Medicare quality reporting programs and are granting exceptions from upcoming reporting requirements and extensions for clinicians and providers.
March 23, 2020
Medicare Telemedicine Health Care Provider Fact Sheet
This CMS fact sheet outlines the 1135 waiver and the different kinds of virtual services, including Medicare telehealth visits, virtual check-ins, and e-visits that fall under the recent expansion of reimbursement opportunities for telehealth while combating COVID-19.
March 23, 2020
CDC Resources for Healthcare Professionals
Along with their detailed overview of the virus summary, its symptoms, and other preparation guidelines, the CDC has provided resources for healthcare professionals on clinical care, infection control, equipment supply, and other topics.
March 23, 2020
World Health Organization COVID-19 Updates
The World Health Organization is posting rolling updates on the COVID-19 pandemic as new information surfaces.
March 23, 2020
Aunt Bertha Social Services Programs
Aunt Bertha is a network that identifies the social services available in a specific geographic area, including aid for food, housing, goods, transportation, health, care, and other necessities.
March 23, 2020
CDC Community Mitigation Strategies
This document outlines the reasoning behind community mitigation practices and provides an assessment on which actions to take based on the setting and community status of COVID-19 cases within the area in question.
March 23, 2020
AAFP Physician Office Checklist
This checklist helps prepare physicians’ offices for receiving cases of COVID-19 in the coming weeks, it includes: education, office checklists, triage systems, the referral and transfer of COVID-19 patients, and other critical changes to protocol.
March 23, 2020
IDENTIFY THOSE AT THE HIGHEST RISK FROM COVID-19
The coronavirus pandemic is effecting organizations around the world. At Lightbeam, our focus has always been our employees, our clients, and the patients they serve. Read how we plan to combat COVID-19.
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