tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57003505293004690872024-03-13T22:52:37.872-04:00NAMSSNAMSS Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016051736260445073noreply@blogger.comBlogger666125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5700350529300469087.post-73157592012616620992020-05-27T13:07:00.001-04:002020-05-27T13:07:33.670-04:00The Joint Commission Announces Revisions in Response to CMS Final RuleThe Joint Commission recently announced <a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/standards/prepublication-standards/revisions-related-to-cms-final-rules/?ref=TJCAL20">standards
changes</a> in response to the <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/09/30/2019-20736/medicare-and-medicaid-programs-regulatory-provisions-to-promote-program-efficiency-transparency-and">Centers
for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rules on Burden and Discharge
Planning</a>. The first set of <a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/standards/prepublication-standards/revisions-related-to-cms-final-rules/?ref=TJCAL20">changes</a>
pertains to the hospital deeming renewal application with CMS, effective July
1, 2020. The second set of <a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/standards/prepublication-standards/revisions-related-to-cms-final-rules/?ref=TJCAL20">changes</a>
applies to both hospitals and critical access hospitals, effective September
13, 2020.<br />
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Prepublication standards:</div>
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<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/-/media/tjc/documents/standards/prepublications/hap_redeeming_burden_july2020_prepub.pdf" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Hospital
– July</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/-/media/tjc/documents/standards/prepublications/cah_redeeming_burden_sept2020_prepub.pdf" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Critical
Access Hospital – September</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/-/media/tjc/documents/standards/prepublications/hap_redeeming_burden_sept2020_prepub.pdf" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Hospital
– September</a></li>
</ul>
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Visit the <a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/standards/">Joint Commission Standards
Page</a> additional information on these updates. Stay connected to NAMSS by
visiting the <a href="https://www.namss.org/COVID-19">NAMSS COVID-19
Resources Page</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />NAMSS Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016051736260445073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5700350529300469087.post-52411897500910345982020-05-21T12:37:00.001-04:002020-05-21T12:37:38.209-04:00The Joint Commission COVID-19 Related BlogsEach week the Joint Commission shares relevant updates and
information about COVID-19. This week, the Joint Commission released several
blogs under the <a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/covid-19/?utm_source=marketo&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTldGbVpEY3dOV0ZqTXpjMiIsInQiOiJ4XC95RTN6NEVpbGhjT3pZajFPYm9rZjFZNmpRdTJ0eHRHN2RhTTYwRmRocHFjNEdOYSt6U1dvZE40ZTA5SXdHRXVmWG1kcUh5Vk80UnEzUWFZOXJ0N051emdQUkpFR2VmMDdOQXhiZStkM2tGUzVUQXhXODgxK1cxYjJnaDZWY20ifQ%3D%3D">Webinars
and Communications from The Joint Commission Section</a> of their <a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/covid-19/">COVID-19 page</a>:<br />
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<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/resources/news-and-multimedia/blogs/at-home-with-the-joint-commission/2020/04/17/availability-of-non-invasive-ventilators-in-home-care/" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Availability
of Non-Invasive Ventilators in Home Care</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/resources/news-and-multimedia/blogs/on-infection-prevention-control/2020/04/20/decontaminating-and-disinfecting-single-use-respirators/" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Decontaminating
& Disinfecting Single Use Respirators</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/resources/news-and-multimedia/blogs/on-infection-prevention-control/2020/04/21/quality-control-for-covid-19-tests/" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Quality
Control for COVID-19 Tests</a><span style="font-family: "symbol";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></li>
<li><a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/resources/news-and-multimedia/blogs/on-infection-prevention-control/2020/04/22/validation-of-covid-19-tests/" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Validation
of COVID-19 Tests</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/resources/news-and-multimedia/blogs/on-infection-prevention-control/2020/04/23/using-ambulatory-surgery-centers-as-alternate-care-sites/" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Using Ambulatory Surgery Centers as Alternate Care
Sites</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/resources/news-and-multimedia/blogs/on-infection-prevention-control/2020/04/24/documentation-challenges-when-operating-under-an-emergency-operations-plan/" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Documentation
Challenges When Operating Under an Emergency Operations Plan</a></li>
<li><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/resources/news-and-multimedia/blogs/on-infection-prevention-control/2020/04/30/providing-behavioral-health-care-via-telehealth/">Providing
Behavioral Health Care Via Telehealth</a><o:p></o:p></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/resources/news-and-multimedia/blogs/on-infection-prevention-control/2020/04/28/covid-19-test-complexity/">COVID-19
Test Complexity</a><o:p></o:p></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/resources/news-and-multimedia/blogs/on-infection-prevention-control/2020/04/29/sterile-compounding-considerations-during-covid-19/">Sterile
Compounding Considerations During COVID-19</a></div>
</li>
</ul>
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Visit the <a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/covid-19/">Joint
Commissions Coronavirus Resource Page</a> for more resources. Stay connected to
NAMSS by visiting the <a href="https://www.namss.org/COVID-19">NAMSS COVID-19
Resources Page</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />NAMSS Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016051736260445073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5700350529300469087.post-55024776526006429282020-05-20T13:06:00.001-04:002020-05-20T13:08:42.195-04:00Medicare Clarifies Recognition of Interstate License CompactsOn May 5, CMS <a href="https://www.cms.gov/files/document/SE20008.pdf">recognized</a> several
new interstate license compacts for physicians and non-physician practitioners.
The uptick of telehealth services due to COVID-19 has increased the urgency for
these compacts.<br />
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<a href="https://www.cms.gov/files/document/SE20008.pdf">CMS
will require</a> practitioners under a compact to fulfill both the licensure
requirements in their primary state and the requirements outlined by the interstate
compact laws that each state participating in the compact adopts. The
interstate license compacts will be handled as credible licenses that meet CMS
federal license requirements. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Medicare Administrative Compacts (MACs) will now accept
CMS-855 enrollment applications from practitioners with an interstate license
compact and allow previously denied applications to be reconsidered for
processing. The following resources are available for additional information:</div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><a href="https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Manuals/Downloads/pim83c15pdf.pdf" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Chapter
15, Section 15.5.2.1 of the Program Integrity Manual</a></li>
<li><a href="http://go.cms.gov/MAC-website-list" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">CMS
MAC Website</a></li>
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View the full CMS article <a href="https://www.cms.gov/files/document/SE20008.pdf">here</a> for additional
information. Stay connected by visiting <a href="https://www.namss.org/COVID-19">NAMSS
COVID-19 Response Page</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />NAMSS Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016051736260445073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5700350529300469087.post-62117530570583655762020-05-20T13:03:00.003-04:002020-05-20T13:03:29.579-04:00Joint Commission Statement on Mental Health Care for Providers and Healthcare StaffOn May 12, the Joint Commission released a <a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/-/media/tjc/documents/covid19/statement-on-removing-barriers-to-mental-health-care-for-clinicians-and-health-care-staff.pdf">statement</a>
on the importance removing the barriers to mental health treatment for healthcare
providers and non-clinical staff. The COVID-19 pandemic places additional
pressures on healthcare workers, but many do not seek mental health support or treatment
because they believe that it could negatively affect their careers,
credentials, or licensing statuses.<br />
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The Joint Commission strongly encourages organizations not to
inquire about a practitioner’s history of mental health and supports the <a href="http://www.fsmb.org/siteassets/advocacy/policies/policy-on-wellness-and-burnout.pdf">FSMB's
and AMA's recommendation</a>, “to limit inquiries to conditions that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">currently</i></b>
impair the clinician’s ability to perform their job.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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The Joint Commission supports eliminating any obstacles and
policies that discourage healthcare workers from obtaining mental health
services. It is critical that organizations pay attention to healthcare
workers’ mental health and ensure they have access to mental health treatment
during this time. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Visit the <a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/covid-19/">Joint
Commissions Coronavirus Resource Page</a> for more resources on staff health
and wellbeing. Stay connected to NAMSS by visiting the <a href="https://www.namss.org/COVID-19">NAMSS COVID-19 Resources Page</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />NAMSS Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016051736260445073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5700350529300469087.post-91727808472047695492020-05-15T12:09:00.001-04:002020-05-15T12:09:27.494-04:00CMS Expands Emergency Declaration Blanket Waivers for Health Care Providers<div>
On May 11, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) expanded telehealth services and relaxed certain requirements with the issuance of <a href="https://www.cms.gov/files/document/summary-covid-19-emergency-declaration-waivers.pdf">additional waivers</a>. The recent <a href="https://www.cms.gov/files/document/summary-covid-19-emergency-declaration-waivers.pdf">waivers</a> and further expansion of telehealth services add to those CMS released at the end of March will remain in place through the end of the COVID-emergency declaration. Among other areas, the <a href="https://www.cms.gov/files/document/summary-covid-19-emergency-declaration-waivers.pdfhttps://www.cms.gov/files/document/summary-covid-19-emergency-declaration-waivers.pdf">waivers</a>:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Expand the types of healthcare practitioners who may be reimbursed for Medicare telehealth services to all practitioners who are eligible to bill Medicare for non-telehealth services. </li>
<li>Permit more services via audio-only technology. CMS no longer requires two-way, real-time interactive communication between patient and practitioner for certain services. Please review the <a href="https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-General-Information/Telehealth/Telehealth-Codes">CMS list of Medicare telehealth services</a>.</li>
<li>Allow physicians to continue practicing at the hospital where their privileges would otherwise expire and for new physicians to practice prior to full review and approval by the credentialing body.</li>
<li>Waive the minimum personnel qualifications for clinical nurse specialists and physician assistants.</li>
<li>Defer staff licensure, certification, or registration to state law.</li>
<li>Enable long-term care facilities to take 10 working days to provide a resident a copy of their requested records.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
Visit <a href="https://www.cms.gov/about-cms/emergency-preparedness-response-operations/current-emergencies/coronavirus-waivers">CMS Coronavirus Waivers & Flexibilities Page</a> for additional information. Stay connected by visiting <a href="https://www.namss.org/COVID-19">NAMSS COVID-19 Response Page</a>.</div>
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NAMSS Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016051736260445073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5700350529300469087.post-68782855956916419952020-05-08T10:48:00.003-04:002020-05-08T10:48:51.372-04:00CMS Releases COVID-19 Interim Final Rule and Updates FlexibilitiesThe Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued an <a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__lnks.gd_l_eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA1MDYuMjExMzMyODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5mZWRlcmFscmVnaXN0ZXIuZ292L2RvY3VtZW50cy8yMDIwLzA1LzA4LzIwMjAtMDk2MDgvbWVkaWNhcmUtYW5kLW1lZGljYWlkLXByb2dyYW1zLWJhc2ljLWhlYWx0aC1wcm9ncmFtLWFuZC1leGNoYW5nZXMtYWRkaXRpb25hbC1wb2xpY3ktYW5kLXJlZ3VsYXRvcnkifQ.TCvqNwHewyH5GpUnxaBkwOPiiZ0blmrfoLQgT7ja2-5Fc_br_78304060787-2Dl&d=DwMFAA&c=9wxE0DgWbPxd1HCzjwN8Eaww1--ViDajIU4RXCxgSXE&r=F2rCjvEM9DAmOplcknpsWhSFe8RAiWNsKS4cpzOBZXA&m=Qw9oTE1Xfz9JBhiFGend9LxTVfUIceO3FUkp9kv313s&s=Pcqdmq0hwSllXYhmAoHV6aTZ3Ce4O-r-bMMNStyng-c&e=">Interim Final Rule </a>detailing all COVID-19-related waivers and flexibilities for hospitals, practitioners, service providers, and other CMS programs. CMS provides facts sheets on its <a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__lnks.gd_l_eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDcsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA1MDYuMjExMzMyODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jbXMuZ292L2Fib3V0LWNtcy9lbWVyZ2VuY3ktcHJlcGFyZWRuZXNzLXJlc3BvbnNlLW9wZXJhdGlvbnMvY3VycmVudC1lbWVyZ2VuY2llcy9jb3JvbmF2aXJ1cy13YWl2ZXJzIn0.QJYm6g22UW03-2DmMCwhAt8jEe9EWFarwGxNVqJJvHXuw_br_78304060787-2Dl&d=DwMFAA&c=9wxE0DgWbPxd1HCzjwN8Eaww1--ViDajIU4RXCxgSXE&r=F2rCjvEM9DAmOplcknpsWhSFe8RAiWNsKS4cpzOBZXA&m=Qw9oTE1Xfz9JBhiFGend9LxTVfUIceO3FUkp9kv313s&s=4EBJMOk7RqVlncDImOP6nMORA5QIE8FJi59sEGR_6O4&e=">Waivers and Flexibilities Resources Page </a>as well as a f<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJlbWFpbCI6Im1naWFtbWFyY29Ac21pdGhidWNrbGluLmNvbSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2xpbmtfaWQiOiIxMDIiLCJzdWJzY3JpYmVyX2lkIjoiNzgxODU0NjIiLCJsaW5rX2lkIjoiODUyMDQzMDE3IiwidXJpIjoiYnAyOmRpZ2VzdCIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vdXJsZGVmZW5zZS5wcm9vZnBvaW50LmNvbS92Mi91cmw_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.tMCcW-PKZK_bcJAy2KnTB1-FyHCgumPA22tAuxuqf6w">ull list of emergency declaration blanket waivers</a> for healthcare providers. CMS is accepting comments on its <a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__lnks.gd_l_eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA1MDYuMjExMzMyODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5mZWRlcmFscmVnaXN0ZXIuZ292L2RvY3VtZW50cy8yMDIwLzA1LzA4LzIwMjAtMDk2MDgvbWVkaWNhcmUtYW5kLW1lZGljYWlkLXByb2dyYW1zLWJhc2ljLWhlYWx0aC1wcm9ncmFtLWFuZC1leGNoYW5nZXMtYWRkaXRpb25hbC1wb2xpY3ktYW5kLXJlZ3VsYXRvcnkifQ.TCvqNwHewyH5GpUnxaBkwOPiiZ0blmrfoLQgT7ja2-5Fc_br_78304060787-2Dl&d=DwMFAA&c=9wxE0DgWbPxd1HCzjwN8Eaww1--ViDajIU4RXCxgSXE&r=F2rCjvEM9DAmOplcknpsWhSFe8RAiWNsKS4cpzOBZXA&m=Qw9oTE1Xfz9JBhiFGend9LxTVfUIceO3FUkp9kv313s&s=Pcqdmq0hwSllXYhmAoHV6aTZ3Ce4O-r-bMMNStyng-c&e=">Interim Final Rule</a> for 60 days from its May 8, 2020 official publication in the <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/">Federal Register</a>.<br />
<br />
Stay connected by visiting <a href="https://www.namss.org/COVID-19">NAMSS COVID-19 Response Page</a>.NAMSS Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016051736260445073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5700350529300469087.post-66755621458774845232020-05-06T09:25:00.000-04:002020-05-06T09:25:57.499-04:00NAMSS and ATA Host Webinar: Telemedicine Legal Considerations: Credentialing by Proxy On April 23, NAMSS teamed up with the American Telehealth
Association to host a webinar “Telemedicine Legal Considerations: Credentialing
by Proxy.” The webinar covered the legal and practical aspects of credentialing
by proxy, telemedicine lessons learned from the COVID-19 crisis, and <a href="https://www.namss.org/Portals/0/Policies_And_Bylaws/CBP%20Guidebook%20-%20NAMSS%20Finalv2.pdf">the
NAMSS-ATA Credentialing by Proxy (CBP) Guide</a>.<br />
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Webinar presenters described telemedicine’s rising status
amid COVID-19 because it enhances care for those in COVID-19 hotspots, remote
locations, provides quality and timely specialty care in areas without specialized
practitioners, improves care continuity and case management, and enables patients
to receive care without sacrificing quality over convenience. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Diane Meldi, MBA, CPCS, CPMSM, NAMSS Government Relations
Liaison, Ty Bozkurt, MBA, FACHE, ATA Board Member, and Maureen Kozlowski, CPCS,
CPMSM presented <a href="https://www.namss.org/Portals/0/Policies_And_Bylaws/CBP%20Guidebook%20-%20NAMSS%20Finalv2.pdf">the
NAMSS-ATA Credentialing By Proxy- A Guidebook</a>, a resource medical staffs
can use to modify credentialing and privileging requirements to facilitate
telehealth services.</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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The webinar highlighted the challenges the traditional
credentialing process imposes on telemedicine, especially for tertiary
facilities or specialty groups who deploy multiple practitioners to provide
services, many of whom are providing services in multiple facilities and
perhaps in multiple states. The webinar provided guidance on how healthcare
facilities could use proxy credentialing to address these barriers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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CBP is an alternative credentialing mechanism medical staffs
can use to obtain telemedicine services for their patients and credential
telemedicine practitioners who deliver their services from distant-site
entities. Originating-site entities can use CBP to streamline the credentialing
process to efficiently expand service offerings and clinical support, without
burdening medical staff personnel. For distant site entities, CBP reduces the
paperwork, time, and expenses associated with credentialing practitioners at
the originating sites.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The “Telemedicine Legal Considerations: Credentialing by
Proxy”<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>webinar speakers:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Alan Einhorn, JD, Foley & Lardner, LLP</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Ann Mond Johnson, CEO - American Telehealth Association</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Diane Meldi, MBA, CPCS, CPMSM, Senior Consultant
- Ministry Medical Staff Mercy Quality & Safety Center, NAMSS Government
Relations Liaison</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Maureen Kozlowski, CPCS, CPMSM, Director - Support
Services Mercy Virtual</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Ty Bozkurt, MBA, FACHE, Chief Technology Officer
- Burn and Reconstructive Centers of America, ATA Board Member</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The “Telemedicine Legal Considerations: Credentialing by
Proxy”<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>webinar<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>recording will be available for purchase on the <a href="https://www.namss.org/Education/NAMSS-Continuing-Education-Opportunities/NAMSS-Webinars">NAMSS
website</a> this Friday, May 8. In the meantime, <span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">stay connected by
visiting<span style="color: #444444;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #4d469c;"><a href="https://www.namss.org/COVID-19">NAMSS COVID-19
Response Page.</a></span></div>
NAMSS Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016051736260445073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5700350529300469087.post-71422207929653607122020-04-28T15:31:00.000-04:002020-04-28T15:31:04.663-04:00CMS Recommendations on Non-Emergent Non-COVID-19 Health ServicesThe Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued updated <a href="https://www.cms.gov/files/document/covid-flexibility-reopen-essential-non-covid-services.pdf">guidance</a> to healthcare providers “on providing essential non-COVID-19 care to patients without symptoms of COVID-19 in regions with low and stable incidence of COVID-19.” This guidance is a part of Phase 1 of the Trump Administration’s <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/openingamerica/">Guidelines for Opening Up America Again.</a><br />
<br />
CMS recognizes the need to be flexible and to allow facilities in regions with low and stable COVID-19 incidences to provide non-emergent, non-COVID-19 healthcare to patients who need this care. When states or regions meet <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/openingamerica/">Opening Up America’s Gating Criteria</a> for COVID-19 symptoms, cases, and hospital capacity they can begin to enter Phase I of the Administration’s Plan.<br />
<br />
CMS encourages providers and patients to use virtual-care services, such as telehealth when appropriate, to limit COVID-19 exposure.<br />
<br />
Stay connected by visiting <a href="https://www.namss.org/COVID-19">NAMSS COVID-19 Response Page.</a>NAMSS Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016051736260445073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5700350529300469087.post-18271809276073800402020-04-28T15:29:00.000-04:002020-04-28T15:29:08.110-04:00Guidelines for Reopening the GovernmentIn mid-April, President Donald Trump recently released <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/openingamerica/">Guidelines for Opening Up America Again. </a>The initiative provides gating criteria that states and regions can use to determine the appropriate time for states to begin taking steps to reopening businesses, schools, and public spaces. The plan enables state governors to decide when their states and regions within their states should begin reopening. Each phase of the Administration’s reopening plan includes <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/openingamerica/">guidelines</a> for states, individuals, and employers.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/openingamerica/">The Opening Up America Gating Criteria</a> requires states to meet the following milestones before beginning the phased re-opening process:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>A downward trajectory in flu-like and COVID-like syndromic cases for 14 days;</li>
<li>A downward trajectory in COVID-19 cases over a 14-day period; and</li>
<li>Hospital capacity to provide crisis care and implement/activate</li>
</ul>
<br />
Stay connected by visiting <a href="https://www.namss.org/COVID-19">NAMSS COVID-19 Response Page.</a>NAMSS Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016051736260445073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5700350529300469087.post-13728241043172344972020-04-24T10:47:00.002-04:002020-04-28T15:25:25.253-04:00HHS Launches Telehealth Resource Site<div class="MsoNormal">
HHS has launched a <a href="https://telehealth.hhs.gov/">Telehealth
site</a> to provide guidance to patients and providers during the COVID-19
Public Health Emergency. The HHS Telehealth site’s <a href="https://telehealth.hhs.gov/patients/">patient page</a> includes
telehealth definitions, policies, and tips on navigating telehealth options. The
<a href="https://telehealth.hhs.gov/providers/">provider page</a> includes
recommendations on integrating telehealth into practice, updates on COVID-19-related
policy changes, and assistance on shifting processes to accommodate telehealth
appointments. </div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Stay connected by visiting </span><a href="https://www.namss.org/COVID-19" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-decoration-line: none;">NAMSS COVID-19 Response Page</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">.</span><br />
<br />NAMSS Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016051736260445073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5700350529300469087.post-17381739687111917182020-04-24T10:24:00.001-04:002020-04-24T10:24:59.575-04:00HHS Workforce Toolkit and Preparedness Gateway for Stakeholders <div class="MsoNormal">
This week, the Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary
of Preparedness and Response (ASPR) launched a <a href="https://asprtracie.hhs.gov/Workforce-Virtual-Toolkit">COVID-19 Workforce
Virtual Toolkit</a> to help state and local healthcare decision makers expand
workforce flexibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The <a href="https://asprtracie.hhs.gov/Workforce-Virtual-Toolkit">Toolkit</a>
provides guidance for states on funding flexibilities, liability protections,
workforce training, best practices, and peer-to-peer communication. It also helps
states administer these flexibilities to increase frontline medical staff and
care for patients at local hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities.
This effort is part of the <a href="https://asprtracie.hhs.gov/">ASPR Technical
Resources, Assistance Center, and Information Exchange (TRACIE)</a>, a
healthcare emergency preparedness information gateway that provides information
and resources for stakeholders through participation in a <a href="https://asprtracie.hhs.gov/information-exchange">public-private
information sharing exchange</a> that requires <a href="https://asprtracie.hhs.gov/register/2">registration</a> and approval. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
Stay connected by visiting <a href="https://www.namss.org/COVID-19">NAMSS COVID-19 Response Page</a>.<br />
NAMSS Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016051736260445073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5700350529300469087.post-69821359761847579262020-04-16T10:22:00.001-04:002020-04-16T10:22:21.974-04:00HRSA Temporarily Waives NPDB Query FeesEffective immediately, HRSA will <a href="https://www.npdb.hrsa.gov/coronavirus.jsp">waive</a> National Provider
Data Bank (NPDB) query fees through May 31, 2020 to help facilities respond to,
and prepare for, the COVID-19 emergency. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>HRSA will host two teleconferences to provide
more information about the fee waiver on Thursday, April 16 and Thursday, April
23, 2020—both at 1pm EDT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This fee waiver is retroactive from March 1, 2020. HRSA will
issue query credits to entities that have paid querying fees between March 1,
2020 and April 15, 2020. The <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/">Federal
Register</a> will post this official notice on Friday, April 17, 2020. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
For more
information about NPDB fee waivers, visit <a href="https://www.npdb.hrsa.gov/coronavirus.jsp">HRSA’s NPDB page</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Stay up to
date on <a href="https://www.namss.org/COVID-19">NAMSS’ COVID-19 Response</a>.</div>
NAMSS Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016051736260445073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5700350529300469087.post-58258453983851362222020-04-15T11:25:00.004-04:002020-04-15T11:25:46.744-04:00ECFMG/FAIMER Provide a Critical Role in Verifying IMGsAs states continue to waive certain licensure requirements
and licensure renewal requirements to respond to the COVID-19 emergency,
efforts to provide streamlined and appropriate verification are critical. To
help verify international medical school certifications and has passed
components of the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination, the Education Commission
for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) is <a href="https://www.ecfmg.org/news/2020/04/08/as-u-s-licensing-authorities-seek-to-expand-workforces-ecfmgfaimer-can-verify-imgs/">working
to provide verification information on international physicians to states as
quickly as possible</a>.<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
ECFMG and its non-profit arm, the Foundation for Advancement
of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER), stands by as a
resource for providing state medical licensing personnel information on IMG.
Upon request, ECFMG will verify an IMG’s certification, provide basic identity
verification and primary-source verification for a physician’s medical
education credentials. The ECFMG/FAIMER can also verify provide previously
verified credentials, as well as verify new credentials such as medical
diplomas, transcripts, medical licenses, and registration certificates. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Contact ECFMG/FAIMER (<a href="mailto:casemanager@ecfmg.org">casemanager@ecfmg.org</a>)
for verification assistance, USMLE exams, IMG credentials, and other inquires
related to IMGs. ECFMG does not issue physician licenses and does not have
information on physician eligibility for credentialing and/or privileging. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Learn more
about <a href="https://www.ecfmg.org/annc/covid-19-coronavirus.html">ECFMG/FAIMER’s
COVID-19 Resources</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Stay up to
date on state licensure waivers from <a href="http://www.fsmb.org/siteassets/advocacy/pdf/state-emergency-declarations-licensures-requirementscovid-19.pdf">FSMB</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Stay connected
by visiting <a href="https://www.namss.org/COVID-19">NAMSS COVID-19 Response
Page</a>. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />NAMSS Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016051736260445073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5700350529300469087.post-6612058570200266202020-04-10T13:16:00.003-04:002020-04-10T13:17:57.938-04:00The Joint Commission Provides a Follow-Up FAQ to its Homemade Face Masks Statement On April 6, The Joint Commission posted an <a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/-/media/tjc/documents/resources/patient-safety-topics/infection-prevention-and-hai/covid19/faq-in-response-to-the-joint-commission-statement.pdf">FAQ</a>
in response to their <a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/-/media/tjc/documents/resources/patient-safety-topics/infection-prevention-and-hai/covid19/public-statement-on-masks-from-home-w-faqs.pdf">statement</a>
on homemade PPE. The FAQ provides
background and additional protocol for the Joint Commission’s position on healthcare
workers using homemade PPE and on hospitals prioritizing N95 masks and N95 respirators for high-risk staff exposed to aerosolized viral particles.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The FAQ also provides additional prioritization guidance to
help hospitals conserve N95 masks and other PPE for high-risk personnel. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 107%;">Visit
the </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://www.namss.org/COVID-19"><i><span style="background: white; color: #4d469c; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; text-decoration: none;">NAMSS COVID-19 Page</span></i></a></span><i><span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 107%;"> for more MSP resources.</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />NAMSS Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016051736260445073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5700350529300469087.post-35315247116728840542020-04-09T09:39:00.001-04:002020-04-09T09:40:06.342-04:00Healthcare Groups Call Upon Federal Government to Address PPE and Medical Equipment Shortages In late March, the Joint Commission, American College of
Physicians, American Hospital Association, American College of Surgeons,
American Medical Association, and the American Dental Association called upon
the federal government to drastically increase PPE and other medical equipment
production and distribution. In a <a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/-/media/tjc/documents/resources/patient-safety-topics/infection-prevention-and-hai/covid19/covid-19_public_statement_03_27_2020.pdf">public
statement</a> these groups state their concern with PPE, ventilators, swab
kits, shortages, as well as overall testing capacity for COVID-19. These
organizations represent frontline caregivers, institutions, and personnel who
are at greater risks for COVID-19 exposure<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and need more critical PPE immediately.
The lack of PPE poses an additional risk to patients and caregivers compounded
by the lack ventilators and other life-saving medical equipment, places
healthcare facilities at a dangerous disadvantage against COVID-19. Efforts to
increase PPE and medical-equipment production and distribution, as well as
expands telehealth services are critical to preserving PPE and stopping the
COVID-19 spread. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />NAMSS Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016051736260445073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5700350529300469087.post-27368486217038250112020-04-07T13:49:00.000-04:002020-04-07T13:49:33.333-04:00Joint Commission Issues Statement on Homemade Personal Protective EquipmentOn March 31, the Joint Commission released a <a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/-/media/tjc/documents/resources/patient-safety-topics/infection-prevention-and-hai/covid19/public_statement_on_masks_from_home.pdf">statement</a>
supporting policies that permit healthcare workers to bring their own facemasks
or respirators to work if their healthcare facilities cannot provide enough PPE
to protect them from COVID-19 risks. The Joint Commission statement recognizes that:<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hospitals
must conserve PPEs during shortages for workers who perform high-risk
procedures.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Privately owned PPE’s full ability to protect
hospital workers from COVID-19 is unknown, but may provide some degree of
protection.</span></li>
<li>The Joint Commission does not have standards or
regulations prohibiting hospital staff from using homemade PPE. </li>
<li>Hospital workers should only use homemade masks
when standard PPE is unavailable.</li>
</ol>
Read more about the <a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/-/media/tjc/documents/resources/patient-safety-topics/infection-prevention-and-hai/covid19/public_statement_on_masks_from_home.pdf">evidence</a>
the Joint Commission used to develop this position.<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />NAMSS Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016051736260445073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5700350529300469087.post-51151716742128189682020-04-03T13:22:00.001-04:002020-04-03T13:23:20.150-04:00CMS Provides Hospitals Flexibilities to Support COVID-19 EffortsThe Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued a <a href="https://www.cms.gov/files/document/covid-hospitals.pdf">series of waivers and modifications</a> to help prepare and equip healthcare systems and workers to meet patient-demand resulting from COVID-19. These efforts seek equip hospitals for COVID-19 surges, expedites healthcare practitioner onboarding, and expands telehealth services, increases site-based COVID-19 testing, and reduces paperwork requirements.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These issuances will remain in effect throughout the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. The following may affect your medical staffs: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
• CMS Hospital without Walls (Temporary Expansion Sites)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Conditions of Participation Modifications <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">§<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Enables ambulatory surgery centers to provide
hospital services to help meet patient volume. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">§<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Grants freestanding emergency departments a
pathway for treating patients during the declared emergency. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Paperwork Reduction<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">§<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Waives certain paperwork requirements for
hospitals facing significant strain from COVID-19. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">§<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->See CMS guidance for the specific waived
requirements. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Physical Environment<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">§<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Allows designated health systems to use offsite,
non-hospital buildings such as hotels and community facilities for patient
care, room and board, and other patient services. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">§<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Enables facilities to separate non-COVID-19
patients to reduce exposure.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Temporary Expansion Sites <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">§<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Waives certain COP requirements to allow
provider-based departments to establish and operate as a hospital.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">§<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Enables hospitals to change their provider-based
department location status to meet patient needs in a specific area.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Critical Access Hospital Length-of-Stay<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">§<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Waives the 25 CAH-bed requirement. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">§<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Lifts the 96-hour length-of-stay requirement. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->CAH Status and Location<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">§<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Lifts the CAH rural-area stipulation to help
meet patient surge.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">§<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Removes location parameters so CAHs can help
with surge capacity.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Hospital Acute-Care Patients in Excluded
Distinct Part Units<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">§<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Allows acute-care facilities to house acute-care
patients in excluded distinct-part units, as appropriate.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">§<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Provides documentation guidance via the applicable
patients’ medical records.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;">Telemedicine </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">§<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;">Modifies
hospital and CAH telemedicine conditions to expand telehealth services. </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">§<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Enables patients to receive telehealth care
through agreements with off-site hospitals. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Patients over Paperwork</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
• Verbal Orders</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Grants facilities flexibility for verbal orders.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Maintains read-back verification requirements
but extends the authentication requirement to 48 hours. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
• Reporting Requirements</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Extends the time period hospitals have to report
intensive-care patient deaths who required soft-wrist restraints.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Increases the reporting period to close of the
next business day. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
• Limit Discharge Planning for Hospital and CAHs</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Waives certain requirements regarding discharge
planning and care goals.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Facilities should work with patients, families,
or patient representatives to select post-acute care providers by using and
sharing data with post-acute entities. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
• Emergency Preparedness Policies and Procedures</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Waives requirements to establish emergency preparedness
communication policies.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Lifts requirements to provide contact
information for staff, entities providing services under arrangement,
practitioners, and volunteers. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
• Provider Enrollment</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Makes available toll-free hotlines for
providers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Waives certain screening requirements, postpones
all revalidation actions, and expedites pending or new provider applications. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Workforce</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
• Medical Staff Requirements</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Waives COPs to allow physicians with expiring
privileges to continue practicing at their current facilities. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Enables new physicians to start practicing in a
hospital before medical staff or governing body approval to help meet patient
surges. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
• Physician Services</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Lifts requirements that Medicare patients be
under a physician’s care.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Enables physician’s assistants and nurses to
help meet patient surges. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
• Anesthesia Services</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Lifts current nurse anesthetist supervision
requirements and permits facilities to set temporary supervision parameters, in
accordance with applicable state law.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Allows nurse anesthetists to function at the
fullest extent of their licenses, as it complies with facilities’ activated
emergency plans.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
• Respiratory Care Services</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Waives requirement that facilities designate in
writing qualified personnel to perform specific respiratory-care procedures and
their appropriate supervision levels.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Requires state and activated emergency plan
alignment. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
• CAH Personnel Qualifications</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Waives federal minimum personnel qualifications
for clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->The above practitioners must still meet state-licensure
requirements and scope parameters. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
• CAH Staff Licensure</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Defers all staff licensure, certification, or
registration to state law by waiving COP requirements that staff be licensed,
certified, or registered in compliance with federal, state, and local laws. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Defers all licensure, certification, and
registration requirements for CAH staff to the state. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The CMS COVID-19 site provides more information on the above <a href="https://www.cms.gov/files/document/covid-hosepitals.pdf">modifications</a>, as well as other facility modifications. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Additional CMS Guidance:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
• <a href="https://www.cms.gov/about-cms/emergency-preparedness-response-operations/current-emergencies/coronavirus-waivers">The Interim Final Rule and Waivers </a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
• <a href="https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-announces-relief-clinicians-providers-hospitals-and-facilities-participating-quality-reporting">Provider Guidance for Relaxed Quality Reporting Programs </a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
• <a href="https://www.cms.gov/files/document/qso-20-13-hospitalspdf.pdf-2">Standards of Practice Flexibility Guidance for Hospital Facilities</a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
• <a href="https://www.cms.gov/files/document/qso-20-15-hospitalcahemtala.pdf">EMTALA Flexibility Guidance </a></div>
NAMSS Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016051736260445073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5700350529300469087.post-24636926818097088282020-03-31T10:54:00.000-04:002020-03-31T10:55:10.251-04:00HHS Secretary Calls for Governors to Ease Onboarding Protocol as Part of COVID-19 ResponseU.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, Alex Azar, recently
<a href="https://www.namss.org/Portals/0/COVID-19/Sec.%20Azar%20Letter_03.24.20.pdf?ver=2020-03-30-164124-133">requested</a>
that governors modify their states’ onboarding protocol to enable more
practitioners to meet the current and upcoming patient demand related to
COVID-19.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Secretary’s <a href="https://www.namss.org/Portals/0/COVID-19/Sec.%20Azar%20Letter_03.24.20.pdf?ver=2020-03-30-164124-133">letter</a>
asks governors to take the following eight actions: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ol>
<li>Relax state-licensure requirements and enable
practitioners with out-of-state licenses to provide services in person and remotely.</li>
<li>Waive certain regulatory requirements so
practitioners can more readily establish patients, diagnose, and delivery
treatment options via telemedicine services.</li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -24px;">Ease scope-of-practice parameters so more practitioners can provide services in all applicable care settings.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -24px;">Enable physicians to supervise more practitioners, remotely and via telephone.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -24px;">Expedite certification and licensure processes for certain practitioners.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -24px;">Compile state liability protections for in-state and out-of-state practitioners, paid and volunteer. Modify or temporarily withdraw medical malpractice policies that do not cover practitioners that facilities onboard in response to the COVID-19 emergency.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -24px;">Enable medical students to triage, diagnose, and treat patients with supervision from a licensed medical staff member.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -24px;">Amend laws or regulations that require signatures for pharmaceutical deliveries.</span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Secretary also asks governors to invoke existing
state-compact agreements that enable states to modify normal protocol to expand
healthcare services and increase access to healthcare practitioners. Look for
more information and guidance from the <a href="https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/coronavirus/index.html">HHS COVID-19 Page</a>.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Visit the </i><a href="https://www.namss.org/COVID-19"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">NAMSS
COVID-19 Page</i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> for more MSP
resources.</i></div>
NAMSS Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016051736260445073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5700350529300469087.post-14385794038084683202020-03-30T10:37:00.003-04:002020-03-30T10:37:52.487-04:00Guidance on the Joint Commission’s Temporary and Disaster Privileging PoliciesAs COVID-19 increases the demand for healthcare personnel, hospitals are activating their emergency plans to quickly onboard practitioners to meet patient demand. In the current national emergency, the Secretary of Health and Human Services has modified certain CMS requirements, including Conditions of Participation, by invoking <a href="https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Provider-Enrollment-and-Certification/SurveyCertEmergPrep/1135-Waivers">1135 Waivers</a>. This enables hospitals to amend their credentialing and onboarding processes to quickly accommodate more practitioners. <a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/covid-19/">The Joint Commission</a> provides the following guidance on temporary and disaster privileging for such emergencies through <a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/en/standards/standard-faqs/critical-access-hospital/medical-staff-ms/000002257/">Medical Staff Chapter, Standard MS.06.01.13</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/standards/standard-faqs/hospital-and-hospital-clinics/medical-staff-ms/000002257/">Temporary Privileges</a><br />
Per <a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/en/standards/standard-faqs/critical-access-hospital/medical-staff-ms/000002257/">Medical Staff Chapter, Standard MS.06.01.13</a>, Joint Commission-accredited hospitals may grant temporary privileges to quickly increase its number of privileged practitioners when the current number of privileged personnel cannot meet patient volume.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/standards/standard-faqs/critical-access-hospital/emergency-management-em/000002275/">Disaster Privileges</a><br />
The Joint Commission refers to Emergency Management Chapter, Standard EM.02.02.13 protocol to enable its accredited hospitals to provide temporary privileges once their governing body or hospital board activates their emergency operations plans and need to increase privileged personnel to meet patient demand. According to Standard EM.02.02.13, EP2 refers to the hospital’s medical staff bylaws to identify the personnel responsible for issuing disaster privileges. In designated emergencies, accredited hospitals may also privilege volunteer licensed independent practitioners.<br />
<br />
Typically, those who are licensed independent practitioners in professions that a hospital medical staff recognizes and privileges can practice without supervision. MSPs should refer to their hospital bylaws and state licensure laws to confirm supervision requirements. State licensure law will also provide guidance on practitioner supervision requirements.<br />
<br />
Through Standard EM.02.02.15, the Joint Commission also enables its accredited hospitals to <a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/resources/news-and-multimedia/blogs/dateline-tjc/2020/03/24/requirements-for-granting-privileges-during-a-disaster/">privilege volunteer practitioners who are not licensed independent practitioners</a>, but required to have a license, certification, or registration.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/standards/standard-faqs/hospital-and-hospital-clinics/medical-staff-ms/000002257/">Credentialing and Privileging for Temporary Privileges</a><br />
The Joint Commission requires its accredited hospitals to verify a practitioner’s current license and competence, as well as document the current need for granting temporary privileges via the MSO Chief of Staff or designee recommendation, in the practitioner’s credentialing file. MSPs should also query the NPDB before granting temporary privileges.<br />
<br />
All hospitals that provide temporary or disaster-related privileges must have protocol for overseeing these practitioners. The Joint Commission <a href="https://store.jcrinc.com/assets/1/7/cc_hap_em.pdf">provides</a> more logistical guidance on credentialing practitioners during disasters, as well as overseeing practitioners with temporary or disaster-related privileges.<br />
<br />
Additional COVID-19 Hospital Resources:<br />
•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/covid-19/">The Joint Commission’s COVID-19 Page.</a><br />
•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><a href="https://www.namss.org/COVID-19">NAMSS</a></span><span id="goog_639349945"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_639349946"></span><br />
•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://www.aha.org/2020-01-22-updates-and-resources-novel-coronavirus-2019-cov">American Hospital Association</a><br />
•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://www.arentfox.com/perspectives/health-care-counsel-blog/temporary-and-disaster-medical-staff-privileges-response">Arent Fox</a><br />
<br />NAMSS Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016051736260445073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5700350529300469087.post-74936859364190995002020-03-27T14:30:00.002-04:002020-03-27T14:30:53.129-04:00Member Telemedicine Credentialing Resource: NAMSS-ATA Credentialing by Proxy Guidebook<br />
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The sudden reliance on telemedicine amid the COVID-19 pandemic
prompts many questions on credentialing practitioners for services not
originally considered for telemedicine. The resulting questions often fall to
MSPs, who are essential to ensuring and streamlining practitioner access during
this pandemic. As such, NAMSS would like to remind its members that the <a href="https://www.namss.org/Portals/0/Policies_And_Bylaws/CBP%20Guidebook%20-%20NAMSS%20Finalv2.pdf">NAMSS/ATA
(American Telemedicine Association) Credentialing by Proxy Guidebook</a> is
available for this very purpose.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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In August 2019, NAMSS introduced the <a href="https://www.namss.org/Portals/0/Policies_And_Bylaws/CBP%20Guidebook%20-%20NAMSS%20Finalv2.pdf">NAMSS-ATA
CBP Guidebook</a>, which provides guidance on proxy credentialing for practitioners
providing telemedicine. The Guidebook is a result of a multi-year collaborative
effort between NAMSS and ATA members that originated from the need to develop a
process to more efficiently facilitate proxy credentialing—and to establish
standards and guidance for the CBP process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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The <a href="https://www.namss.org/Portals/0/Policies_And_Bylaws/CBP%20Guidebook%20-%20NAMSS%20Finalv2.pdf">CBP
Guidebook</a> also includes an overview of credentialing practitioners providing
telemedicine, laws and regulations around telemedicine credentialing, a set of
guidelines institutions can use to create CBP programs, and potential solutions
to obstacles institutions may encounter when with implementing or facilitating
a CBP process. The <a href="https://www.namss.org/Portals/0/Policies_And_Bylaws/CBP%20Guidebook%20-%20NAMSS%20Finalv2.pdf">CBP
Guidebook</a> is also applicable for implementing modified credentialing and
privileging requirements for additional medical professionals to respond in
emergencies such as pandemics. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">NAMSS is
monitoring the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and is committed to serving you and
the medical service profession. Useful resources and information can be
viewed </span></i><a href="https://www.namss.org/COVID-19"><i><span style="background: white; color: #2e74b5; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">here</span></i></a><i><span style="background: white; color: #2e74b5; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">. </span></i><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />NAMSS Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016051736260445073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5700350529300469087.post-32121861706070367302020-03-25T16:01:00.000-04:002020-03-25T16:02:25.542-04:00A Guide to Emergency Credentialing and Privileging for Healthcare Staff during COVID-19 Pandemic<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The COVID-19 pandemic implements non-pharmaceutical
interventions daily and hospitals and medical professionals are preparing for a
large wave of coronavirus cases. Medical professionals and hospitals are
eliminating obstacles to provide medical care for COVID-19 patients as quickly
as possible such as waiving the need to credential and privilege additional
medical professionals in events of emergency or disaster. Here are some key
takeaways and resources from recent events:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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On March 13, 2020, the President declared a <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/03/13/coronavirus-latest-news/">State
of National Emergency</a> Key takeaways:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Grants the Secretary of Health and Human
Services Emergency Authority to temporarily waive Medicare and Medicaid </span><a href="https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/faq/1068/is-hipaa-suspended-during-a-national-or-public-health-emergency/index.html" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">program
requirements</a><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> and HIPAA.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The Secretary of HHS is granted power to waive
“Conditions of Participation or other certification requirements” and to waive
requirements that medical professionals be licensed in the State they practice
in.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The declaration exempts healthcare practitioners
who do not have one or more requirements from sanctions or penalties.</span></li>
</ol>
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Read more <a href="https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/coronavirus/index.html">here</a> for
additional COVID-19 updates from HHS.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.4pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.4pt;">
California Governor Newsom declared a <a href="https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/3.4.20-Coronavirus-SOE-Proclamation.pdf">State
of Emergency for California</a>. Key takeaways:<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.4pt;">
</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Permits any out-of-state medical professionals
to provide services with respect to licensing and certification as described in
the </span><a href="https://www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/nrf/EMACoverviewForNRF.pdf" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Multi-state
Emergency Management Assistance Compact.</a></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The Medical Board of California is granted
permission to re-activate expired licenses of physicians if the license expired
within the past five years using an accelerated approval process.</span></li>
</ol>
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The Joint Commission <a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/en/resources/patient-safety-topics/emergency-management/">Emergency
Management Standards</a> outline hospital requirements in the event of
emergency or disaster. Key takeaways include:</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ol>
<li>Under the Standards, a hospital in the event of
disaster “may use a modified credentialing and privileging process on a
case-by-case basis for eligible volunteer practitioners” if the hospital
implements its Emergency Operations Plan and there is a need for additional
medical assistance. </li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">These disaster privileges may be granted only if
the volunteer practitioner presents proof of current licensure, privileging at
another medical facility, participation in a state of federal response
organization, or governmental approval.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">A primary source of the hospital may verify the
abilities of a volunteer practitioner to act as a licensed independent
practitioner during a disaster within 72 hours and the hospital must have an
oversight mechanism in writing.</span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Read more <a href="https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/how-to-provide-emergency-credentialing-56834/">here</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">NAMSS is monitoring the evolving COVID-19
pandemic and is committed to serving you and the medical service profession.
Useful resources and information can be viewed </span></i><a href="https://www.namss.org/COVID-19"><i><span style="background: white; color: #2e74b5;">here</span></i></a><i><span style="background: white; color: #2e74b5;">. </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />NAMSS Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016051736260445073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5700350529300469087.post-56965317331132855772020-03-19T15:49:00.001-04:002020-03-19T15:50:30.661-04:00COVID-19 Updates<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>CMS waives state licensure requirements for physicians and
recommends hospitals to suspend elective procedures </b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/public-health/trump-closes-canadian-border-to-nonessential-travel-coronavirus-in-all-50-states-9-key-updates.html">Becker’s Hospital Review</a> reports that on March 18, CMS
waived licensure requirements for physicians and other healthcare professionals
allowing them to provide services in states where they are not formally
licensed. With the number of U.S. cases now surpassing 7,000, CMS has
recommended that all hospitals comply with the American College of Surgeons’
guidance to cancel elective procedures. The Pentagon has immediately taken
action and provided the first million of five million respirator masks to
federal health agencies. In addition to respirator masks, 2,000 ventilators
will be provided in days to come. In the wake of urgency, President Trump has
asked Congress to pass a stimulus package that would include $250 billion to
Americans affected by this pandemic. HIPAA penalties will not be enforced,
allowing healthcare practitioners to communicate with patients by phone. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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FSMB is keeping an <a href="http://www.fsmb.org/siteassets/advocacy/pdf/state-emergency-declarations-licensure-requirement-covid-19.pdf">updated chart</a> of the states waiving
licensure requirements and renewals in the wake of the COVID-19 virus. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>The Joint Commission Suspends Regular Surveys</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Joint Commission has suspended regular accreditation and
certification surveys beginning March 16, 2020 to enable healthcare
organizations to respond to COVID-19. The Joint Commission will administer a
small number of situational surveys and report on them soon. The Commission
will extend healthcare organizations’ accreditation without penalty if the
renewal date passes while the surveys are suspended.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Read more from <a href="https://www.jointcommission.org/-/media/tjc/documents/resources/patient-safety-topics/infection-prevention-and-hai/coronavirus_march_16_update.pdf">The Joint Commission</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>CMS Expands Medicare Telehealth Services to Fight COVID-19</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Trump Administration announced the expansion of
telehealth services for Medicare beneficiaries to combat the COVID-19 virus. As
of March 6, Medicare-funded healthcare professionals and hospitals can provide
temporary telehealth services to beneficiaries. Telehealth visits will reflect
the same reimbursement rate as in-person visits. These services will also apply
to nursing homes and outpatient departments. To facilitate telehealth services,
HHS will temporarily suspend some HIPAA requirements, so healthcare
practitioners can use their personal devices for telehealth services. Since
state Medicaid agencies do not require federal permission, the Administration
has requested that states implement telehealth services as well. CMS released a
<a href="https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/medicare-telemedicine-health-care-provider-fact-sheet?inf_contact_key=257254a23584aaf995953681e9228842">Telehealth Fact Sheet</a> and <a href="https://edit.cms.gov/files/document/medicare-telehealth-frequently-asked-questions-faqs-31720.pdf?inf_contact_key=61215115b844f5ee118fb5bac378dd92">FAQ Sheet </a>providing guidance for healthcare providers
on the telehealth waiver in the Supplemental Appropriations package. Officials
hope that the expanding telehealth services will slow the spread of the
coronavirus. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Read more <a href="https://www.modernhealthcare.com/medicare/cms-expands-medicare-telehealth-services-fight-covid-19">here</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">NAMSS is monitoring the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and is committed to serving you and the medical service profession. Useful resources and information can be viewed <a href="https://www.namss.org/COVID-19" style="color: #4d469c; text-decoration-line: none;">here</a>. </span></i>NAMSS Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016051736260445073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5700350529300469087.post-611072125240892372019-11-08T11:03:00.000-05:002019-11-08T11:03:25.362-05:00ABPS Acknowledges Contributions of MSPs to Healthcare Leadership in U.S.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The American Board of Physician Specialties joins the U.S. healthcare
community in acknowledging the importance of medical service professionals
(MSP) in commemorating the National Medical Staff Services Awareness Week. In
1992, President George Bush recognized the first week in November as National
Medical Staff Services Awareness Week and since then, medical facilities and
government agencies have celebrated the importance of medical services
professionals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ABPS promotes the
importance of MSPs in verifying physicians’ credentials to help ensure the
highest quality of medical care is delivered.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
MSPs continue to evolve as they now have more roles to fill
than ever before. MSPs performed more administrative duties in the past, but
their role has developed to have more responsibilities such as working with gap
analysis, primary source verification, telehealth credentialing, allied-health
practitioner credentialing, and reconciling a manual process with new
technologies. The medical industry has switched to electronic record keeping,
which has reduced the number of workers in an organizations managed services
office. Due to the lack of workers, MSPs are overloaded with a number of duties
such as coordinating medical staff onboarding, managing credentialing, and
acting as the liaison between hospitals and staff. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is more demand for higher education and training among
MSPs because of how complex the job has become. It is important to recognize
the hard work MSPs perform on a daily basis as their role continues to become
more challenging. View the article <a href="https://www.abpsus.org/abps-acknowledges-contributions-of-msps-to-healthcare-leadership-in-america">here.</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />NAMSS Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016051736260445073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5700350529300469087.post-13625409366263522232019-09-18T11:29:00.000-04:002019-09-18T11:29:00.352-04:00Roxanne Chamberlain Attended the AHLA Annual Meeting<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
In June, Roxanne Chamberlain, MBA, FACHE, FMSP, CPMSM, CPCS,
Senior Director of Medical Staff Services at Baystate Health, Inc. and 2019
NAMSS President-Elect, attended the American Healthcare Lawyers Association
(AHLA) Annual Meeting in Boston, MA. Health law professionals attend the
meeting each year for the most current information and analysis on a variety of
legal issues affecting the healthcare industry. The annual meeting included
thoughtful, practical, solution-oriented sessions, luncheons, and networking
events.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
John P. Ryan, President and Managing Partner, Hall Render
Killian Health & Lyman PC and Heather Brace, Senior VP and Chief People
Officer, Intermountain Healthcare, delivered the Meeting’s keynote address, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Future of the Health Care Workforce.</i>
The keynote session focused on the leading influences affecting the healthcare
industry and their potential legal challenges. Experienced health law professionals
facilitated breakout sessions on practice-management topics, top-physician
compensation risk areas, understanding and addressing conflicts of interest at
non-profit organizations, and coping with the mystery and reality of artificial
intelligence (AI) in healthcare. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Roxanne attended many of the Meeting’s AI learning sessions,
which included AI liability, and how it could affect the standard of care in
medical malpractice cases, as well as how AI bedside assistance will simplify
doctor and nurse workloads. Roxanne also attended sessions about healthcare
policy and hazard prevention where she learned that efforts to reduce
healthcare costs have made little progress, as states continue to file lawsuits
regarding the Affordable Care Act. Additional sessions surrounded topics on practitioner
conscious clauses and hospital-acquired infection reduction rates in 2018-2019.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Drug price transparency was another popular topic, as well
as how states and the federal government are combating rising drug prices. Nine
states have passed drug-price transparency laws and seven other states are in
the process of passing legislation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Roxanne also attended sessions related to healthcare data
and telehealth and noted that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce continues to call
for a federal data privacy law due to inconsistent state laws and the number of
data breeches. The healthcare sector continues to embrace digital invocations as
consumer demand increases. Healthcare law professionals recommended that hospitals
take an interdisciplinary team approach to implementing telehealth proposals and
their legal staffs should have multi-faceted telehealth competencies to handle with
regulatory issues. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As NAMSS liaison to AHLA, Roxanne stands by as a resource to
the membership and is available to answer additional questions or provide
additional information about AHLA. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />NAMSS Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016051736260445073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5700350529300469087.post-39285664078738951672019-09-12T11:23:00.000-04:002019-09-12T11:24:35.791-04:00A Conversation with Dr. Peter Hill, 2019 CVO Excellence Symposium Keynote Speaker<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The <a href="http://www.namss.org/Education/NAMSSCVOExcellenceSymposium.aspx">CVO
Excellence Symposium</a><span class="MsoHyperlink">, </span>the first event
designed for MSPs who work in credentials verification organizations (CVO), is
a two-day event focusing on the crucial discussions related to the state of the
CVO, exploring topics such as staffing models, legal and regulatory issues,
technology and innovation, and streamlining processes from the top-down. NAMSS recently
sat down with Dr. Peter Hill, the Symposium’s keynote speaker, who serves as
the Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs for the Johns Hopkins Health
System and Vice President of Medical Affairs/Chief Medical Officer for the
Johns Hopkins Hospital, to discuss what he’ll cover in his keynote
presentation:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Can you give a small preview of what
you’ll be covering in your keynote presentation at the NAMSS CVO
Symposium?</span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How health systems are embracing the ongoing challenges in
healthcare.</span></i><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Impact of telehealth services and the impact on credentialing
these practitioners within a health system</span></i><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Credentialing the “Virtual doctor/practitioner” and its impact
within patient safety and quality</span></i><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="2" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What are some of the primary challenges
you’re looking to address in your keynote?</span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Developing
delineation of privileges, credentialing criteria, and meaningful FPPE/OPPE for
the use of artificial intelligence and the virtual doctor.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Onboarding
practitioners in a timely manner within the hospitals and provider
enrollment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is extremely important in
today’s market that practitioners are “billable” on their effective start date.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Revenue cycle
management begins with credentialing.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="3" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Why is the NAMSS CVO Symposium important
for MSPs to attend?</span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The CVO
Symposium is important for MSPs to attend as it provides focused knowledge on
best practices utilized within various health system CVOs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We learn from each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is an opportunity to ask questions,
network, and collaborate with one another or strategize to move organizations
forward and provide safe care to our patients.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="4" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Are you seeing a greater need for
programming specific to CVOs in the larger MSP community?</span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yes, as more
and more health systems develop central credentialing or central verification
offices, it is important for MSPs to learn from one another on various aspects
of moving the profession, their specific organization and healthcare forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are all working together to navigate the
ever-changing world of health care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By
sharing knowledge with one another, we can all learn to become more lean and
efficient while safe guarding our patients</span></i><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="5" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What do you hope MSPs will take away
from your keynote address?</span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">First and
foremost, that we are all in this together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Healthcare is continuing to change and MSPs are at the forefront of
patient safety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the emergence of
digital healthcare and ongoing issues with “access,” I hope MSPs take away that
they have a voice and opportunity to make a difference in their health system
by working collaboratively with their leadership and feel empowered to share
their innovative ideas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is never a
dull day working in healthcare and by networking and collaborating with one
another, we can make a difference.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The 2019 NAMSS CVO
Excellence Symposium takes place October 19-20 at the Philadelphia Marriot
Downtown in Philadelphia, PA. <a href="https://www.namssconference.org/CVO-Symposium">Register</a> today.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />NAMSS Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016051736260445073noreply@blogger.com0