COVID-19 Resources & Guidance
The accelerating spread of the COVID-19 virus has significant implications for the full scope of the healthcare continuum, including the HME community. In response, CMS, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) have thus far released broadly applicable information related to working with patients and protecting healthcare personnel. This page serves as a resource for the Home Medical Equipment community with all resources in one place.
The HME community has a long track record of serving patients under adverse conditions. The COVID-19 outbreak poses a unique threat to the safety of individuals in our industry and additional significant challenges if the number of individuals needing care at home grows rapidly. We urge you to take careful precautions to protect yourselves and your colleagues from exposure so our industry can continue to serve the patients who depend on us – perhaps now, more than ever. We also thank you for the work you are doing each day to serve patients and alleviate the strain on hospitals.
AAHomecare Resources
![]() | Medicare DME Supplier COVID-19 Reference Sheet (Updated September 16, 2021) |
![]() | COVID-19 Third-Party Payer and MCO Tracking |
![]() | COVID-19 State Waivers |
![]() | CARES Act Non-Rural/Non-Bid Area Relief Calculator |
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![]() | Best Company Practices from National Retail Federation |
White Papers
- Structuring COVID-19 Protocols for DME Suppliers (new)
- COVID-19 Personnel and Safety Issues
- Renting Equipment to Hospitals During the COVID-19 Crisis
- DME Suppliers and "Essential Services"
- The CARES Act
STate & Payer UPdates
Analysis
- AAH 2020 COVID-19 Stimulus Bill Relief Analysis
- AAH COVID-19 IFR Summary (CMS-1744-IFC)
- AAH 2% Sequestration Removal Analysis by Product Category
Best Practices
- How Suppliers are Responding to COVID-19
- Home Delivery, Billing, and Sales in a COVID19 Environment - Webinar PPT
- AAHomecare recommendations to CMS for HME policy modifications during COVID-19 outbreak and related alert
- Latest Updates: COVID-19 and HME (Provided by AAHomecare Member Prochant)
Letters
- AAHomecare drafted a letter for state Medicaid agencies with policy recommendations amid the COVID-19 crisis
- AAHomecare drafted a letter for Commercial Payers amid the COVID-19 crisis
- Disability Priorities Coalition Letter
- Recommendations to Commercial Payers
Government Agency Resources
CMS / HHS
- DME MACs:
- COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions on Medicare Fee For Service Billing
- CARES Act Provider Relief Fund (Includes Relief Fund calculation and eligibility requirements)
- Medicare Coverage and Payment of Virtual Services - video overview of telemedicine
- CDC Guidance for Alternatives to approved PPE
- CMS Press Release on the Announcement
- CMS Fact Sheet: Sweeping Regulatory Changes to Help U.S. Healthcare System Address COVID-19 Patient Surge
- Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies: CMS Flexibilities to Fight COVID-19
- 2019-Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Provider Burden Relief Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- FACT SHEET: Expansion of the Accelerated and Advance Payments Program for Providers and Suppliers During COVID-19 Emergency
- Trump Administration Provides Financial Relief for Medicare Providers
- CMS News Alert March 26
- State Waivers and Blanket Waivers
- CMS Approves Medicaid Section 1135 Waivers for 11 Additional States in Response to COVID-19
- 2019-Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Medicare Provider Enrollment Relief Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- CMS Announces Relief for Clinicians, Providers, Hospitals and Facilities Participating in Quality Reporting Programs in Response to COVID-19
- Medicare Telehealth FAQ for COVID-19
- Telehealth Services MLN Booklet
- Medicare Telemedicine Health Care Provider Fact Sheet
- CMS Sends More Detailed Guidance to Providers about COVID-19
- COVID-19 Response News Alert: CMS Issues Key Protective Mask Guidance for Healthcare Workers
- Comprehensive COVID-19 Resources
- Memorandum for MA and Part D plans
- Here is the link to the March 10 CMS Guidance to the Home Health state and federal surveyors
FDA
CDC
- Information for Healthcare Professionals
- Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control FAQs for COVID-19
- Guidance for Public Health Personnel Evaluating Potential Patients & Close Contacts in Home or Non-Home Residential Settings
- Interim Guidance for Healthcare Personnel With Potential Exposure to COVID-19
- FAQs for Healthcare Professionals
- Personal Protective Equipment
- Keeping the Workplace Safe
- CDC - Checklist for Community and Faith Leaders
KAISER Family Foundation
- State Data and Policy Actions to Address Coronavirus
- The U.S. Response to Coronavirus: Summary of the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 (Issue Brief)
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Tracker – Updated as of March 11, 2020 (Interactive)
- How To Avoid Coronavirus? Lessons From People Whose Lives Depend On It (KHN)
- Surging Health Care Worker Quarantines Raise Concerns As Coronavirus Spreads (KHN)
OSHA
WHO
- Rolling Updates on Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
- Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak
- Key Planning Recommendations for Mass Gatherings
Private Payer and Other RESOURCES
- John's Hopkins Live Tracker Site
- Benefit and network updates for Humana members
- Cigna's Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Center
Updated 10/5/2020 – we will continue to update this page as new resources and guidance becomes available.