Telehealth Post-Pandemic, LUGPA Update

April 2023

During the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth services played an essential role in maintaining access to healthcare for millions of Americans. Healthcare providers of all sizes embraced the new technology, and patients widely supported telehealth’s improved access. This expansion was boosted by regulatory changes at the state and federal levels that lowered many of the previous barriers to telehealth expansion.

Unfortunately, at the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, some of the best regulatory changes for telehealth have been allowed to expire, like telehealth payment parity and cross-state licensing. LUGPA supports bipartisan legislation that would build on the coverage gains made during COVID-19 and make this expansion permanent. Read more.

Public Health Emergency Resources

Feb. 28, 2023

Public Health Emergency Ending May 2023
On January 30, the Biden Administration announced May 11, 2023, as the targeted end date for the national public health emergency (PHE) declarations implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. This policy update will examine several of the health-related COVID-19 Federal Emergency Declarations and which flexibilities will end in May. Read more.

LUGPA 2020 COVID-19 Advocacy Efforts

March 19 announcement sent to Members regarding relaxation of telehealth Medicare restrictions
March 20, LUGPA reaches out to Members asking how COVID-19 is affecting them. This information is communicated to Congress so they understand exactly what is at stake
March 22, LUGPA asks Members to contact their Senator's offices urging them to support the Immediate Relief for Rural Facilities and Providers Act
March 23, LUGPA President shares the newly-launched COVID-19 Information Hub
March 26, LUGPA’s Health Policy and Political Affairs teams have been on the forefront of the Senate activity on the CARES Act. A teleconference to review the impact of the legislation for urology practices is held.
March 26, a webinar is held, "Tap into Telehealth: Expand Your Practice Capacity Today" covering recent federal and state regulation changes regarding telemedicine.
March 27, LUGPA communicates to members that ABU is Seeking Recertification Relief During Crisis
March 28, LUGPA provides members detailed information about the passing of the CARES Act
March 29, LUGPA provides members "Key Provisions of the CARES Act Relevant to Member Practices"
March 29, LUGPA provides members "Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act - Question and Answers"
E-mail sent to Group Members Mar. 31 regarding the CMS’s Policy and Regulatory Revisions press release
E-mail April 1 provides details about applying for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
Analysis of Interim Final Rule and Expanded 1135 Waivers e-mailed to members April 1.
LUGPA communicates update regarding Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Applications
Detailed Analysis of the CARES Act Funding e-mailed to members April 6.
April 10, LUGPA releases Fact Sheet and Terms and Conditions regarding the $30 Billion HHS Relief Grant
April 23, LUGPA shares HHS' plan to distribute remaining $20 billion in emergency funds
April 24, LUGPA shares information about new round of funding available for PPP and EIDL program
April 25, LUGPA shares Important New Information from HHS on Emergency Fund Grants
April 30, LUGPA shares CMS announcement regarding increased reimbursement for audio only services
May 5, LUGPA shares article discussing how will independent groups will fare — and what can be done to help them survive
May 8, LUGPA alerted members that HHS extended the deadline for submitting relief fund attestations and circulated the terms and conditions.
The McManus Group, one of LUGPA’s DC consultants, convened a series of conference calls in April and May with select members of Congress who are on committees with health care jurisdiction or in the Doctors Caucus. While LUGPA fly-ins are on hold and much of the country is self-isolating, these casual, policy-focused discussions gave LUGPA members another outlet to dialogue with their Senators and Representatives on policies under development by Congress and the Administration and become up to date of the latest policy developments on the Capitol Hill in a virtual setting. Our physicians and administrators were also able to share their personal perspectives on how the COVID-19 crisis has impacted patient care and challenged independent practice.
May 19 - Paycheck Protection Program and Provider Relief Fund Updates
President signs Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 into Law - June 5, 2020
CMS issues guidance for reopening facilities to provide non-emergent health care - June 11, 2020
Trump signs bill extending Paycheck Protection Program through August 8 - July 6, 2020
Court Victory for Independent Medicine in Fight for Site-Neutral Payments - July 17, 2020
HHS Announces $20 Billion in New Phase 3 Provider Relief Funding - October 1, 2020
Initial Analysis: Congress Passes Last-Minute COVID Relief Package - Dec. 22, 2020
LUGPA urges Congress to pass Medicare Sequester COVID Moratorium Act - March 16, 2021

See also list of LUGPA's Webinars about COVID-19 ,Telemedicine and the CARES Act here.