Covid-19 Resources

COVID-19 Topic Resources

Insurance Provider Information
Licensure/ Interstate Practice during the COVID-19 State of Emergency
Restarting In Person Visits
State of Emergency
Substance Use Services During COVID-19
Telehealth
Treatment Consideration Under COVID-19

Agency Resources

American Psychiatric Association
American Psychoanalytic Society
Board of Registration in Medicine - Licensing
Center for Disease Control
CMS – Medicare
DEA
Division of Insurance
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

From the Attorney General
MA Department of Mental Health
MA Department of Public Health
Massachusetts Medical Society
MassHealth
MPS Disaster Committee Resources
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Risk Management Resources
Vaccinations

American Psychiatric Association

APA Website
APA Coronavirus Resources
Telepsychiatry and COVID-19
APA Advises on Mental Health Care Delivery Resources During This Crisis
Practice Guidance for COVID-19
APA - New CMS changes to Billing for Audio Only - Retroactive to March 1, 2020 - Updated 5.11.20

COVID-19 resources developed by the APA over the past several months
Guidance Document: Electroconvulsive Therapy as an Essential Procedure
Guidance Document: Use of Long-acting Injectables as a Clinically Necessary Treatment
Guidance Document: Considerations for Healthcare Workers and Staff Exposed to COVID-19 Death and Dying
Guidance Document: Considerations for Family and Other Personal Losses Due to COVID-19-Related Death
Guidance Document: Psychiatrists Returning to Clinical Service
Guidance Document: COVID-19 and Impact on Incarcerated Persons Living with Mental Illness
Guidance Document: Moral Injury During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Support for Permanent Expansion of Telehealth Regulations After COVID-19

 


American Psychoanalytic Society

APsaA’s COVID resources
Email your questions for the Covid-19 Task Force: [email protected]
COVID-19 Broadcast-only list, open to any interested psychotherapist. [email protected] (send a blank email to sign up)


Board of Registration in Medicine - Licensing

Important Information Regarding Physician Licensure during the State of Emergency

Continuing Medical Education (CME). This interim policy waives the continuing medical education (CME) requirement for licenses which are due for renewal on April 2, 2020 through and including Dec. 31, 2020. The full text of the policy may be found here

Order Extending the Registrations of Certain Licensed Health Care Professionals


Center for Disease Control

COVID-19 Page/Resources
CDC Advises on Stress Management
CDC Speaks on Evidence Based Communication Strategies in Times of a Disaster
CDC Guidance for Group Living Environments

New CDC guidance for vaccinated individuals
COVID-19 for organizations working with patients who use drugs or have substance use disorders
CDC COVID-19 Vaccine Information
List of COVID-19 Resources for Organizations Working with Persons Who Use Drugs or Have Substance Use Disorder


CMS – Medicare

As information about billing is frequently changing, we encourage MPS members to contact the APA link above directly with questions.

Medicare Telemedicine Health Care Fact Sheet 3.17.2020
COVID-19 CMS Expands Telehealth Press Release Final 3.17.20
COVID19 Telehealth Waiver FAQ Final 3.17.20
COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Blanket Waivers for Health Care Providers including telehealth 4.30.20
APA - New CMS changes to Billing for Audio Only - Retroactive to March 1, 2020 - Updated 5.11.20
Telehealth Frequently Asked Questions 4.2.20
CMS Vaccine Information


DEA

COVID-19 Information Page


Division of Insurance

March 16, 2020 – Emergency measures to address and stop the spread of COVID-19 (telehealth)
March 16, 2020 – Addressing COVID-19 Treatment and Testing
April, 30, 2020 - Relaxing Certain Health Plan Administrative Procedures including Prior Authorizations During the COVID-19 Health Emergency
June 25, 2020 - Bulletin 2020-21 – Continued Relaxation of Prior Authorization Procedures in Response to the COVID-19 Health Emergency


Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Hand sanitizers and COVID-19
Diagnostic testing for SARS-CoV-2
Medical gloves
Surgical mask and gown shortage
Ventilators
Food safety and COVID-19
Face masks and surgical masks
Pulse oximeters
FDA Vaccine Information


From the Attorney General

FrontlineMA.org – centralized information for front line workers, including personal protective equipment (PPE), prioritized testing, safe housing, meals, self-care and emergency child care.

 


Insurance Provider information

As information about billing is frequently changing, we encourage MPS members to contact plans directly with questions.

Contact list for all major health plans http://www.massmed.org/Patient-Care/COVID-19/MAHP-Chart-COVID-19-Provider-Communications/  
MA Association of Health Plans, Q/A about Covid-related billing.  http://www.massmed.org/Patient-Care/COVID-19/MMS-MHA-Questions-for-MAHP/

Beacon
Beacon Broadcast – March 16, 2020 - Billing for Covered Services Delivered via Telehealth
Beacon Provider Update – March 20, 2020 – Update to Providers Increasing Members’ Access to Telehealth
Beacon Provider Resources


Blue Cross Blue Shield – Covid-19 Information for Providers
BlueCross BlueShield
BCBS Telemedicine Payment Policy Medical

Harvard Pilgrim
Optum
Tufts
UnitedHealthcare

Updated Massachusetts health plans coverage policies

The Massachusetts Medical Society is working closely with health plan leadership, state officials, and partners within the health care system to address local needs resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak. For an updated summary of MA health plan coverage policies, please click here.


Licensure/Interstate Practice during the COVID-19 State of Emergency

Out of state Licensure requirements:  Each state has adopted different requirements for out-of-state licensed physicians to treat patients in their state. The Federation of State Medical Boards has issued updates on individual states’ requirements for telehealth. Click here to see the most recent version.

Newsletter Summary of Interstate Licensure and Practice Issues from MPS Counsel, Jim Hilliard.  (Create link to Sept 202 newsletter article) Questions can be referred to Jim Hilliard as part of your member benefit of two hours of consultation with Mr. Hilliard which can be initiated at this number (617) 610-5557.

Important Information Regarding Physician Licensure during the State of Emergency
Modified Licensing requirements for Covid-19 in the US States and Territories
Order Extending the Registrations of Certain Licensed Health Care Professionals
Feds OK Interstate Licensing, Paving Way for Telehealth Expansion
Summary of Gov order from APA regional


MA Department of Mental Health

DMH #20-03 Admission and Treatment of Patients with COVID-19 5/1/20
DMH #20-04 COVID-19 PANDEMIC GUIDANCE Admission and EPIA to support movement of pts needing inpt admission out of EDs 5/20/20
DMH #20-05 directives regarding infection control mgmt. of covid 19 in licensed facilities 5/21/20
        DMH bulletin #20-05 - COVID-19 Infection Control and Other Requirements in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
        DMH bulletin #20-05 - COVID-19 Tier 1
        DMH bulletin #20-05- COVID-19 Tier 2
        DMH bulletin #20-05 - COVID-19 Infection Control and Other Requirements in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic Attestation


MA Department of Public Health

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-updates-and-information
Crisis Standards of Care Planning Guidance for the COVID-19 Pandemic April 7, 2020
Guidance for Group Living Environments was issued by MA DPH - 4.12.20
MA DPH COVID-19 Vaccine Information


Massachusetts Medical Society

Tips for Expanding Practice During COVID-19 - May 2020
COVID-19 website and resources including telehealth
COVID-19 Insurance Billing Guidelines for Telehealth Service
MAResponds.org Health Care Professional Volunteers at https://www.mass.gov/health-services-covid-19-volunteer-form
The MMS has just launched a new resource page dedicated to  Mindfulness & Compassion in the Time of COVID-19: Tools to Stay Steady and Calm.  http://www.massmed.org/mindfulness/. Physicians can self-claim AMA PRA Category 2 Credit(tm) if they wish.

Payer update: Massachusetts health plans coverage policies (updated). The Massachusetts Medical Society is working closely with health plan leadership, state officials, and partners within the health care system to address local needs resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak. 
Telemedicine Vendor Options

Updated Massachusetts health plans coverage policies
The Massachusetts Medical Society is working closely with health plan leadership, state officials, and partners within the health care system to address local needs resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak. For an updated summary of MA health plan coverage policies, please click here.

Physician Office re-opening resources
The Betsy Lehman Center, Board of Registration in Medicine and Massachusetts Medical Society have updated their previous guidance on considerations for in-person medical visits at this link.


MassHealth

Provider Resource: Telephone and Internet Connectivity for Telehealth - April 2, 2020
MassHealth Telehealth Network Provider Bulletin 1 - April 2020
Provider Participation Requirements, Covered Encounters and Other Information
MassHealth FAQs for Behavioral Health
MassHealth Bulletin 289 – March 2020
Massachusetts Network of Care
MassHealth Bulletin 291 - MassHealth Coverage and Reimbursement Policy for Services Related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) - March 2020
MassHealth Bulletin 293 - Flexibilities for Substance Use Disorder Treatment Services During COVID-19 State of Emergency
MassHealth Bulletin 294 - MassHealth Coverage Flexibilities for Services Related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 - May 2020
Food assistance handout (in English and Spanish) which provides information about available resources. English version / Spanish version

You can find accessible versions for this handout here (English) and here (Spanish).
Provider-facing guide (in English and Spanish) to help you better understand how to identify patients who need food assistance and the resources available to help them. English version / Spanish version
You can find accessible versions for this guide here (English) and here (Spanish)
MassHealth Bulletin 314 - Updated MassHealth Telehealth Policy


MPS Disaster Committee Resources

Stoddard - Holzman - MPS Covid_19 Town Meeting
Stoddard - Covid-19
Handout - Managing Stress Associated with the COVID-19 Virus Outbreak
Handout - Managing Healthcare Workers’ Stress Associated with the COVID-19 Virus Outbreak
Handout - For Providers and Community Leaders - Helping People Manage Stress Associated with the COVID-19 Virus Outbreak
Handout - First Responders-Mental Health Consequences of Natural and Human-Made Disasters for Public Health and Public Safety Workers
Mental Health of Communities during the COVID-19 Pandemic


These resources intended to assist psychiatrists and the public in responding to COVID-19.
MPS will continue to update this page with resources developed by both MPS and other organizations.
Links to resources shared by other organizations are not intended to imply an endorsement of the organization.


Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
OSHA Guidance for Vaccines for Employees


Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Outpatient PPE Guidance for Health Care Personnel and Patient Interactions
Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
Tips for Expanding Practice During COVID-19 - May 2020


Restarting In Person Visits


APA Guidance on Return to Service
MA EOHHS Phase Four Re-opening (This supersedes all previous phase guidance)

MMS/BORIM Betsy Lehman Center Office Practice reopening


Risk Management Resources

American Professional Agency, Inc. (APA, Inc)

Telehealth & COVID-19 Resources

Professional Risk Management Services (PRMS)
COVID 19 bulletins


Substance Use Services During COVID-19

https://www.samhsa.gov
APA: Practice Guidance for COVID-19 (scroll to Substance Use Disorders and Ryan Haight Act)
CDC: List of COVID-19 Resources for Organizations Working with Persons Who Use  Substances
DEA changes during COVID-19


State of Emergency

Federal State of Emergency
MA COVID-19 State of Emergency
CMS Covid State of Emergency
Medicare Emergency Declaration Blanket Waivers for Health Care Providers



Telehealth

Patient Telehealth Consent Form Sample
Medicare Telehealth Code List
HIPAA and Telehealth
APA Summary Telepsychiatry and COVID-19
HHS Telehealth Resources for Providers
CMS Expands Medicare Telehealth - Fact Sheet
CMS Expands Medicare Telehealth - Press Release
CMS Expands Medicare Telehealth - FAQ
Medicare Emergency Declaration Blanket Waivers for Health Care Providers
March 16, 2020 – Emergency measures to address and stop the spread of COVID-19 (telehealth)
Executive Order 3-17-2020 – extending the registration of certain licensed health care providers allowing telehealth practice
Provider Resource: Telephone and Internet Connectivity for Telehealth April 2, 2020
MassHealth Telehealth Network Provider Bulletin 1 - April 2020
COVID-19 website and resources including Telehealth
COVID-19 Insurance Billing Guidelines for Telehealth Service
American Professional Agency, Inc. (APA, Inc) Telehealth & COVID-19 Resources
Telehealth Frequently Asked Questions 4.2.20
APA - New CMS changes to Billing for Audio Only - Retroactive to March 1, 2020 - Updated 5.11.20
Telehealth Use among Psychiatrist Members of the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society
Telemedicine Vendor Options
PPRC Telemedicine Vendor Options
MassHealth Bulletin 314 - Updated MassHealth Telehealth Policy

 


Treatment Consideration Under Covid-19

Guidance Document: Considerations for Healthcare Workers and Staff Exposed to COVID-19 Death and Dying
Guidance Document: Considerations for Family and Other Personal Losses Due to COVID-19-Related Death
Guidance Document: COVID-19 and Impact on Incarcerated Persons Living with Mental Illness
Guidance Document: Moral Injury During the COVID-19 Pandemic


Vaccinations

MA DPH COVID-19 Vaccine Information
CDC COVID-19 Vaccine Information
FDA Vaccine Information
OSHA Guidance for Vaccines for Employees
CMS Vaccine Information