Corona Virus

E-header-CORONAVIRUS

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic. The disease was first identified in Wuhan, China and has since spread globally, including in the U.S.

COVID-19 Cases in Pennsylvania: As of April 2 at 12 p.m., the Pa. Department of Health has reported 7,016 COVID-19 cases in Pennsylvania. Get Pa. Department of Health COVID-19 updates here. Learn how to register for SERVPA, Pa.'s online registry for medical and non-medical volunteers, here.
National & Global COVID-19 Cases: Find near real-time data using this map from Johns Hopkins University.

To learn more about COVID-19, check out the links and resources below.

Resources for Physicians

Resources for General Public

PAMED knows that physicians have more questions than answers on COVID-19. We have addressed some of your questions in an FAQ available to our members, which includes a checklist for physicians who have patients showing COVID-19 symptoms.

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Resources for Physicians

Symptoms & Virus Transmission
The CDC's coronavirus webpage confirms that patients with COVID-19 infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:
- fever
- cough
- shortness of breath
CDC believes at this time that symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 after exposure. According to the CDC, the virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person:
- Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
- Via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
- These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
Education
The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education has compiled a list of coronavirus education resources that can help clinicians respond.
- View the accredited CME activities on coronavirus infections
Clinical Considerations
Pennsylvania clinicians can find Pa. Department of Health (DOH) COVID-19 specimen collection and testing guidance, issued on March 14, 2020, here. It includes information on testing through DOH and through commercial labs. Questions can be directed to DOH at 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258).
- Guidance for Health Care Professionals (CDC)
- Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Confirmed COVID-19 or People Under Investigation for COVID-19 in a Healthcare Setting (CDC)
  Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control FAQs for COVID-19.
- Implementing Home Care of People Not Requiring Hospitalization for COVID-19 (CDC)
  Printer ready PDF version
- Testing and Specimen Collection Information
  Pa. Department of Health Interim COVID-19 Specimen Collection and Testing Guidance: Issued 3/14/20
  Pa. Department of Health Specimen Collection and Shipping Guidance: Issued 3/12/20
  CMS Codes for Coronavirus Lab Tests
    Medicare Administrative Contractor COVID-19 Test Pricing
    COVID-19 How to Get Tested (DOH)
    COVID-19 Testing Fact Sheet (DOH)
- Updated Interim Guidance on Discontinuing Home Isolation/Quarantine and Returning to Work Criteria for Healthcare Providers with COVID-19 (Pa. Department of Health Alert Network Update Issued 3/19/20)
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Updates on COVID-19
  The CMS webpage listed above includes clinical & technical guidance, billing and coding guidance, and insurance coverage guidance.
    Medicare Telehealth Services - On March 17, 2020, CMS announced that telehealth services for Medicare beneficiaries will be expanded during the COVID-19 outbreak.
    Protective Mask Guidance for Health Care Workers (3/10/20)
    COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Health Care Providers Fact Sheet (3/13/20)
    CMS Adult Elective Surgery & Procedures Recommendations (3/18/20) - Limit all non-essential planned surgeries and procedures until further notice.
    Quality Reporting Relief: CMS Announces COVID-19 Relief for Clinicians and Organizations Participating in Quality Reporting Programs (Announced 3/22/20)
    Medicare Provider Enrollment Relief: FAQs (March 2020)
    Expansion of Medicare Acclerated and Advance Payment Program (Announced 3/28/20)
- Medicaid and CHIP Recipients' COVID-19 Testing and Treatment Resources Are Covered: FAQs and More (Pa. Department of Human Services)
- Preventing COVID-19 from Spreading to Others in Homes and Communities (CDC)
- Clinical Management of Patients with Confirmed COVID-19 (CDC)
- Infection Prevention and Control of Patients with Confirmed COVID-19 in Inpatient Obstetric Healthcare Settings (CDC)
- COVID-19 in Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Setting (Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine)
- What Healthcare Personnel Should Know About Caring for Patients with Confirmed or Possible COVID-19 (CDC)
- FAQs: COVID-19 and Children (CDC)
- FAQs: COVID-19 and Pregnancy (CDC)
- HIPAA Privacy and COVID-19, updated March 2020 (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
Telemedicine & Virtual Care
The use of telehealth is rapidly expanding in response to the COVID-19 emergency. Starting March 6, 2020 and for the duration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, Medicare will make payment for services furnished to beneficiaries in all areas of the country in all settings. Many other health insurers have also updated their telemedicine policies in response to the crisis.

Additionally, the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) will waive penalties for HIPAA violations against health care providers that serve patients in good faith through everyday communications technologies, such as FaceTime or Skype, during the COVID-19 nationwide public health emergency.

PAMED offers this telehealth reference sheet to help physicians, practices, and health care organizations navigate telehealth and e-visits. Click the button below to access the reference.

Get Telehealth Reference Sheet

The reference includes information on:
- Telehealth coding
- Key takeaways for telehealth and e-visits
- HIPAA
- Medicare and Medicaid
- Telehealth policies for Pennsylvania insurers
- Workers’ Compensation
- Telemedicine/telehealth vendors
- How to find additional telehealth resources
Business Operations & Health Care Licensing Updates
Governor Tom Wolf has ordered all non-life-sustaining businesses in Pennsylvania to close their physical locations to slow the spread of COVID-19. If businesses not listed as "may continue physical operation" on this list from the Wolf Administration do not shut down by 8 p.m. tonight, the state will begin to take enforcement actions this Saturday, March 21, at 12:01 a.m.

Offices of physicians are considered "life-sustaining," though elective procedures are not permitted during this time. CMS offers guidance on adult elective surgeries and procedures here.

OSHA Guidance for Businesses

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offers guidance on how to maintain operations in a pandemic. View OSHA Guidance.

Additional Business Resources & Loan Opportunities
- COVID-19 Business Resources (Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development) – DCED offers working capitol loans that could be of assistance to businesses impacted by COVID-19. Resources and information will be posted to DCED’s webpage as they become available.
- American Medical Association COVID-19 Business Resources for Private Practices
- Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry: Coronavirus Resources for Businesses
- COVID-19 Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources (U.S. Small Business Administration)
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce Coronavirus Resources for Businesses
- U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division guidance on the federal Family First Coronavirus Response Act
- COVID-19 and Unemployment Compensation: FAQs (Pa. Office of Unemployment Compensation)
- Information for Pennsylvania Employees Impacted by COVID-19 (Pa. Office of Unemployment Compensation)
- NORCAL Group Resources & Updates for Medical Professionals and Policyholders – NORCAL Group, which includes NORCAL mutual insurance company, offers practical resources for health care professionals and businesses on topics like telemedicine, telecommuting, and health care operations.
Licensure Updates in Response to COVID-19

Below find PAMED's summaries of the actions that Pennsylvania has taken concerning health practitioner licensure requirements during the COVID-19 emergency:
- Gov. Wolf and Dept. of State Issue Certain Suspensions for PAs and CRNPs During COVID-19 Emergency
- Expedited Temporary Licensure for Out-of-State Practitioners & Requirements Related to Institutional Licensees
- Pennsylvania to Allow Retired Health Care Professionals to Bolster COVID-19 Response
- Pennsylvania Extends License Renewal Deadlines for Nurses, Graduate Medical Trainees during Coronavirus Emergency
Find a complete list of licensure suspensions announced by the Pennsylsvania Department of State here.

The Federation of State Medical Boards offers a a list of actions that states (including states that share a border with Pennsylvania) have taken action on licensure requirements. View List
Health Alert Network Info
These notifications are the method by which information about urgent public health incidents is communicated.
Preparedness
- Healthcare Professional Preparedness Checklist for Transport and Arrival of Patients with Confirmed or Possible COVID-19 (CDC)
  Printer ready PDF version
- Hospital Preparedness Assessment Tool (CDC)
  Printer ready PDF version
Resources for Your Office
- Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Confirmed COVID-19 or People Under Investigation for COVID-19 in a Healthcare Setting (CDC)
  Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control FAQs for COVID-19.
- Risk Assessment and Management of Healthcare Personnel with Potential Exposure to Patients with COVID-19 (CDC)
- Healthcare Professional Preparedness Checklist for Transport and Arrival of Patients with Confirmed or Possible COVID-19 (CDC)
  Printer ready PDF version
- Steps Healthcare Facilities Can Take Now to Prepare for COVID-19 (CDC)
- Coronavirus fact sheet for Health Care Facility Employees (DOH)
- Coronavirus fact sheet for Health Care Facility Patients (DOH)
- OSHA Control & Prevention for Healthcare
- Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to COVID-19 (CDC)
CDC Handouts and Posters
- What You Need to Know - English or Spanish
- What to Do if You Are Sick – English or Spanish
- Stop the Spread of Germs – English or Spanish
- Symptoms of COVID-19 – English or Spanish
CDC Videos
All CDC coronavirus resources
Resources for your patients
- Share the Facts, Stop Fear (CDC)
CDC Handouts and Posters
- What You Need to Know - English or Spanish
- What to Do if You Are Sick – English or Spanish
- Stop the Spread of Germs – English or Spanish
- Symptoms of COVID-19 – English or Spanish
CDC Videos
How to be prepared! Download PAMED's checklist
Resources in Spanish/Recursos en Español
CDC Spanish-Language Coronavirus Resources / Enfermedad del Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)

CDC Handouts and Posters
- What You Need to Know - Spanish
- What to Do if You Are Sick – Spanish
- Stop the Spread of Germs – Spanish
- Symptoms of COVID-19 – Spanish
- All COVID-19 Handouts and Posters (most available in Spanish)

COVID-19 Daily Briefings:

April 3, 2020

Pa. has 1,404 new cases, bringing statewide total to 8,420 in 63 counties. Learn more
Gov. Wolf recommends that Pennsylvanians wear masks in public. Get state guidance on homemade masks.
Novitas Solutions is holding a webinar on Medicare telehealth expansion during the coronavirus emergency at 10 a.m. on April 9. Learn more
CMS is re-opening the Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances Exception application for MIPS eligible clinicians, groups and virtual groups through April 30. Learn more

Sign Up for PAMED’s COVID-19 Daily Briefings:

PAMED is updating the Daily Briefing section of our COVID-19 page every day by 5 p.m. This is where we’ll put the top 3-5 updates that have happened throughout that day. If you’d like to receive an email or text when that day’s update is available, you can sign up for either below.