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

Posted on by

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

Posted on by

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

Posted on by

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

Posted on by

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.)

COVID-19 HUD waivers

Posted on by

The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development has issued several waivers regarding requirements for various programs because of COVID-19.  This summary focuses on waivers that directly affect tenants and voucher holders.

Waivers for both public housing and voucher

The public meeting requirement for public housing authority (PHA) 5 year plans and annual plans is waived.  HUD provided alternative deadlines for some PHA to complete their plans.

Annual recertifications for public housing, housing choice voucher (HCV) and project based voucher (PBV) are delayed. All recertifications need to be done by December 31, 2020.  PHAs can forgo third party verification and accept self-certification as the highest form of verification.  Self-certification can be done by telephone, email or mail.  Recertifications do not need to be done in person.

Third party verification for interim reexaminations because of decrease in income is waived through July 31, 2020.  Self-certification can be accepted as the highest form of verification.

PHAs can extend Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) plans for up to two years for good cause.  COVID-19 is good cause to extend a FSS plan through December 31, 2020.

Notice of a PHA opening a waiting list can be posted on the PHAs website and voicemail through July 31, 2020.

HCV and PBV

Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspections are delayed.  Through July 31, 2020, owners can certify that they have no reasonable basis to know of life threatening conditions at the property. Inspections must occur by October 31, 2020.

For initial HQS inspections, through July 31, 2020 there is a 30 day extension for non-life threatening repairs to 60 days and payment can begin while repairs are occurring.

Occupancy will be allowed if the unit passed an alternative inspection in the last 24 months.  A new HQS inspection must be done no later than October 31, 2020.

Biannual HQS inspections are delayed to no later than October 31, 2020.

Public Housing

PHAs can make changes to their Admissions and Continuing Occupancy Policy (ACOP) without approval of their Board.  The Board must approve changes no later than July 31, 2020.

The community service requirement is suspended until March 31, 2021.

Families with income exceeding the maximum income for two consecutive years can remain in their unit at their current rent until the next annual recertification.

Indian housing

For Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG), providers can do less frequent income verification, allow verification of income remotely including self-certification by phone or email for fiscal year 2020 grants.

IHBG funds can be used for public health for fiscal year 2020 grants.

IHBG funds can be used to prevent, prepare for and respond to COVID-19 for fiscal year 2020 grants.

Indian Community Development Block Grant funds can be used for emergency payments for low and moderate income individuals and families impacted by COVID-19.  Initially, payments are limited to 3 months.  (PIH Notice 2020-05, April 10, 2020.)