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March 21, 2020
Dear Colleagues,
POMA continues to monitor the rapidly changing information surrounding the spread of COVID-19. As we have seen this week, the numbers in Pennsylvania continue to climb each day.
In an effort to provide accurate and helpful information to POMA members, we have gathered some of the resources we are finding to be most useful and accurate at this time. We hope this helps you in staying on top of the latest developments in the spread of the disease and in helping your patients.
Updated Pennsylvania Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Cases, Graphics, Resources
Daily Briefings and Updates
COVID-19 Testing
There are many questions from patients and physicians alike about who to test and when to test. The PA DOH testing fact sheet provides some guidance. Call DOH at 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258) with any questions.
Resources from the CDC
The CDC has provided guidance and resources for healthcare providers, healthcare facilities, laboratories, as well as information for schools and childcare, businesses and employers, community and faith-based organizations, and the general public. Visit the CDC COVID-19 webpage for more information.
Telehealth and Virtual Visits
The payment options for treating COVID-19 and treating our chronic patients are changing every day. More private insurers are waiving patient co-pays for telehealth visits (note: some employer-sponsored plans may exclude telehealth options). Temporarily, it is likely that for the next 90 days, audio/visual virtual visits should be paid out at the same rate as an in-person visit using the appropriate code during this time. The majority of visits will be billed by time and documentation is important to ensure it meets for a virtual visit. Physicians should follow the guidelines for billing from their employer, if applicable. Click here for CMS' Medicare telemedicine health care provider fact sheet and CMS' general provider telehealth tool kit.
For Medicaid patients, you can have telehealth visits but they are included in your negotiated monthly rate. Click here for Pennsylvania's Medicaid telemedicine guidelines related to COVID-19.
POMA will continue monitoring COVID-19 and provide updates and recommendations from PADOH, the CDC, the WHO and local health agencies. POMA's COVID-19 webpage and social media channels will be updated as information is shared from these organizations. We will also continue our weekly Wednesday updates regarding the 2020 Clinical Assembly.
If you have any comments or questions for POMA, please email us at [email protected].
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