Medicaid And The Coronavirus

A “To The Point” posting by the Commonwealth Fund shows why Medicaid’s design allows it to respond nimbly to a crisis by enrolling additional individuals and covering new services. Medicaid’s flexibility is a strength to streamline the enrollment process, sign up beneficiaries whenever needed, and make eligibility retroactive so providers are not financially punished for furnishing emergency care.

The posting can be obtained at https://www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2020/medicaid-and-coronavirus-putting-nations-largest-health-care-first-responder-work.

Latest COVID-19 News in Higher Education

Several colleges in California, New York, and Washington have either cancelled classes or online instruction in light of the coronavirus outbreak. The Department of Education has relaxed their rules that institutions must gain permission from accreditors and the Department to move to online courses. Higher ed institutions have also expressed concerns to the Department of Homeland Security on behalf of their international students, who have in-person learning requirements. Many institutions continue to cancel study aboard programs and university-sponsored travel.

Read more here.

Additional COVID-19 Guidance Released for Colleges

The Centers for Disease Control, U.S. Department of Education, and American College Health Association have released guidance for institutions of higher education to prepare for a potential COVID-19 outbreak on campus. The CDC guidance outlines preparation plans for administrators and students to ensure the safety of individuals on campus or studying aboard. The U.S. Department of Education focuses on potential disruption to federal financial aid, while the ACHA details plans for student health centers to have the capacity for increased student demand or a COVID-19 outbreak.

Read more here.

CMS Develops Additional Code For Coronavirus Lab Tests

Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) took additional actions to ensure America’s patients, healthcare facilities, and clinical laboratories are prepared to respond to the 2019-Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). CMS has developed a second Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) code that can be used by laboratories to bill for certain COVID-19 diagnostic tests to help increase testing and track new cases. CMS also released new fact sheets that explain Medicare, Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program, and Individual and Small Group Market Private Insurance coverage for services to help patients prepare as well. 

Medicare Fact Sheet Highlights can be obtained at https://www.cms.gov/files/document/03052020-medicare-covid-19-fact-sheet.pdf.

CDC Provides Interim Guidance on the Coronavirus

The CDC has provided interim guidance for administrators of Institutions of Higher Education to plan, prepare, and respond to the Coronavirus. The CDC provided guidance for IHE that do not have COVID-19 identified in their community as well as guidance for IHE with identified cases of COVID-19 in their community. The CDC also released interim guidance for organizers and staff responsible for planning mass gatherings or large community events.

Interim Guidance for Administrators of US Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) to Plan, Prepare, and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Interim Guidance: Get Your Mass Gatherings or Large Community Events Ready for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

CDC Coronavirus Information

Department of Education Coronavirus Resources Page

COVID-19 ("Coronavirus") Information and Resources for Schools and School Personnel

Federal Student Aid Guidance

Inside Higher Ed Article

World Health Organization Coronavirus Information