HHAC Asks Governor To Relieve Burdens For Providers During Coronavirus Pandemic
On a call today with Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, the Home Care & Hospice Association sought relief for home health, home care and hospice providers dealing with increased difficulties caring for patients during the coronavirus pandemic.
Among other things, HHAC asked to the governor allow for a mandatory 90-day supervisory home visit to be replaced by a phone interview, as well as expanding reimbursement for virtual health -- or tele-health -- services provided during the crisis.
State agency directors acknowledged receiving multitude requests for emergency orders that would speed and streamline care, and they and the governor pledged to follow through on those requests.
At one point on the call, the governor suggested not letting the rules get in the way of providing care.
"I would encourage you to be as flexible as possible," the governor said when told that seniors had grown suspicious of receiving meals delivered to their homes by various Area Agencies on Aging. "Leave the meal outside the door."
He added: "If anything needs a corresponding state waiver, we’ll get that out, but don’t let that stand in the way."
Just three days ago, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention Concerning Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Home Health Agencies (HHAs). A day before that, CMS released Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention Concerning Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) by Hospice Agencies. The hospice guidance followed reports that some long-term care facilities were unduly preventing hospice caregivers from enter the centers to provide care.
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