COVID-19: NMA Physician Resources
COVID-19: NMA Physician Resources
IMPORTANT UPDATES
PPE Request Form
If you need to request PPE you can complete the online form and submit your requests directly to DHHS.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT (3/20/2020): Nebraska Medical Association is calling upon all healthcare facilities in Nebraska to follow recent Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) guidance on delaying elective non-essential medical procedures, surgeries, and tests until the COVID-19 public health emergency has been lifted by Governor Ricketts. READ FULL STATEMENT
CMS Adult Elective Surgery and Procedures Recommendations: Limit all non-essential planned surgeries and procedures, including dental, until further notice.
American Medical Association, American Pharmacists Association, and American Society of Health-System Pharmacists joint statement on Inappropriate Ordering, Prescribing or Dispensing of Medications to Treat COVID-19.
Laboratory Testing Capacity Survey - The NMA is partnering with Dr. Williams at DHHS to collect detailed information on the laboratory testing available in clinics and physician offices. We encourage you to please complete this survey to provide us with the most accurate information about the available testing capacity. If you have any questions on this please contact Amy Reynoldson at 402-440-8196.
PAYERS/TELEHEALTH
Summary: Telehealth Expansion in Response to COVID-19 from Cline Williams In an unprecedented move to respond to the public health emergency caused by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has expanded access to Medicare telehealth services and agreed to pay for professional telehealth services in all areas of the country and settings of care.
More on telehealth...
FINANCIAL RESOURCES
Premium Deferment and Other Support from COPIC – NMA-Endorsed Medical Liability Insurance Carrier COPIC is committed to supporting NMA and its members during this time. One of the ways COPIC is doing this is by lessening the financial impact of COVID-19 for its policyholders.
- COPIC policyholders have the option of deferring their premium payments until September 1, 2020.
- The deferment option is available for both new and existing policyholders, including those who choose to switch their coverage to COPIC midterm.
- No late payment or finance charges.
In addition, COPIC policyholders have direct access to expert support to help navigate COVID-19 challenges through its Legal and HR Helplines, as well as a 24/7 Risk Management Hotline, which connects you with an experienced physician. COPIC has also set up a COVID-19 Physician Program policy that will provide temporary liability coverage that can be accessed by existing policyholders who have a need. Contact your current agent or contact Kristin Stepien at 800-421-1834 x 6186 + kstepien@copic.com.
Telehealth Program Funding Opportunity from FCC The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Wireline Competition Bureau is now accepting applications for the COVID-19 Telehealth Program. The COVID-19 Telehealth Program will provide immediate support to eligible health care providers responding to the COVID-19 pandemic by fully funding their telecommunications services, information services, and devices necessary to provide critical connected care services until the program's funds have been expended or the COVID-19 pandemic has ended. The FCC also released a webinar for this program. This video walks through the application process for the FCC's COVID-19 Telehealth Program online application portal and provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding the process. For more information, go to https://www.fcc.gov/covid-19-telehealth-program.
4-9-2020 Treasury and Federal Reserve Board Announce New and Expanded Lending Programs to Provide up to $2.3 Trillion in Financing READ FULL PRESS RELEASE. For more information and Treasury Department updates on program implementation under the CARES Act, visit www.Treasury.gov/CARES.
Federal COVID-19 Financial Assistance – The NMA has compiled information specific to the COVID-19 financial assistance that is currently available including the eligibility, loan details, and direct links to apply.
Navigating Resources to Temporarily Reduce Clinic Staff Webinar (4-6-2020): The NMA partnered with Cline Williams law firm to provide a webinar for physicians on how to navigate the potential temporary reduction in clinic staff or closures. Many of you had inquired about how to handle FMLA, paid leave, insurance, etc. during this very uncertain time. Presenters included Michael Pallesen, Jill Jensen, and Henry Wiedrich.
traNslated COVID-19 RESOURCES
Two videos have been translated into six different languages, including Spanish, Arabic, Karen, Somali, Nepalese and French.
These cover the topics of: 10 ways to stay healthy and keep one’s family healthy during the pandemic, and Tips on what to do if you or a family member becomes ill or is exposed to the virus. The videos are available on both the YouTube channels of Nebraska Impact and Governor Ricketts:
· https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO7HhZBL6CeI5WVcUNpyy3w/videos
· https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcDw3_CGhTVcVtxoGKRkjlQ/videos
Additionally, each of the videos has accompanying flyers that can be downloaded and printed. Please consider printing the flyers and displaying in your facility. https://neimpact.org/covid-resources. Feel free to use these resources for social media and in communications with your patients and staff.
COVID-19 TESTING
Laboratory Testing Capacity Survey - The NMA is partnering with Dr. Williams at DHHS to collect detailed information on the laboratory testing available in clinics and physician offices. We encourage you to please complete this survey to provide us with the most accurate information about the available testing capacity. If you have any questions on this please contact Amy Reynoldson at 402-440-8196.
Updated guidelines for laboratory testing for COVID-19
DHHS Provider Bulletin on Covid-19 Testing
