COVID-19 Medi-Cal transportation

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The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has waived the requirement for a prescription from a provider for beneficiaries to be able to use non-emergency medical transportation.  A Treatment Authorization Request (TAR) is still required for non-emergency medical transportation.   Providers are instructed to state “Patient impacted by COVID-19” on the TAR.

Ambulance transportation may temporarily include any destination that can provide treatment to the patient in a manner consistent with state and local Emergency Medical Services protocols. (DHCS Letter, April 22, 2020.)

COVID-19 waiver of patient signature for mailed or delivered prescriptions

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The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has suspended the requirement to have a record of the signature of the person receiving a drug or device by mail or delivery.  DHCS will allow any form of delivery service tracking or electronically documented proof of delivery to suffice as proof of receipt of a drug or device by a Medi-Cal or Family PACT beneficiary or authorized representative.

If attempts to communicate with the beneficiary fail, the delivery carrier may leave the drug or device at the beneficiary’s door.  (DHCS Letter, April 24, 2020.)

COVID-19 Medi-Cal coverage of emergency services

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Because of the ongoing public health emergency, COVID-19 testing and related medically necessary treatment, including services provided outside of a hospital emergency department, rae deemed to be emergency services.  All enrolled Medi-Cal beneficiaries, regardless of scope of coverage or documentation status, are entitled to all inpatient and outpatient services necessary for testing and treatment of COVID-19.  Continuation of medically necessary impatient services and follow-up care after the emergency is resolved is not authorized or reimbursed for undocumented beneficiaries enrolled only for restricted scope benefits.

There is no co-pay for emergency services, including testing, evaluation and treatment of COVID-19.  (DHCS Letter, April 8, 2020.)

COVID-19 hospice requirements

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The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is temporarily waiving certain licensing requirement for hospice care because of COVID-19 until the end of the state of emergency.  A hospice that has submitted an application for initial licensure, additional location or change of service may begin providing care prior to obtaining approval and licensure by CDPH.  A licensee that as applied to CDPH for renewal of a license, or reinstatement of a license that has been voluntarily suspended, may begin or continue providing care prior to obtaining approval of the renewal or reinstatement by CDPH.

Health examinations, TB testing and background checks for new employees are temporarily suspended.  The hospice must ensure each employee completes these actions no later than 30 days after the end of the state of emergency.

Hospices are temporarily not required to provide volunteer services.

Hospice providers will have flexibility in how they provide basic services to patients, including providing services by telehealth or other remote methods.

Hospice providers may temporarily use health care professionals regulated under the Healing Arts division of the Business and Professions Code.

Small and rural hospices may temporarily provide services to no more than 50 patients per year.  (AFL 20-47, April 23, 2020.)

COVID-19 hotels for healthcare workers

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California is providing free or discounted hotel rooms to healthcare workers who are exposed to or test positive for COVID-19.  To be eligible, healthcare facilities need to certify that employees within their healthcare facility have presumably been exposed to COVID-19 and should self-isolate and/or quarantine to avoid further spreading the virus in the community.  (AFL 20-45, April 20, 2020.)