The Office of Inspector General’s (OIG) Work Plan sets forth various projects including OIG audits and evaluations that are underway or planned to be addressed by the OIG during the fiscal year. The OIG updates its Work Plan monthly. The July 2020 Work Plan updates include six items directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic and includes the following:
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As COVID-19 swab (PCR) and blood (antibody) testing continue to occur in greater numbers and diverse settings, it is important to recognize that the results of such tests are subject to HIPAA privacy and security compliance rules. There is a common public misconception that the declaration of a public health emergency has created a broad exception for covered entities and business associates to use and share COVID-19 testing results.» Read More
In response to the COVID-19 epidemic, federal and state governments implemented numerous and expansive regulatory changes to ensure patients were provided access to required testing and treatments. One of the more important (and ultimately successful) regulatory changes was the temporary expansion of telehealth services.» Read More
On Friday, May 15, 2020, Gov. Murphy issued Executive Order 145, allowing physicians and dentists to resume elective surgeries and invasive procedures as of Tuesday, May 26. This is long-awaited news by both patients and doctors. However, before Ambulatory Surgery Centers (“ASCs”) start scheduling and performing elective procedures and surgeries, the ASC needs to comply with the directives of the New Jersey Department of Health.» Read More
On Friday, May 15, 2020, Gov. Murphy issued Executive Order 145, allowing physicians and dentists to resume elective surgeries and invasive procedures as of Tuesday, May 26. This is long-awaited news by both patients and doctors. However, before practices start scheduling and performing elective procedures and surgeries, they should ensure that the practice complies with the directives of the New Jersey Department of Health or the Division of Consumer Affairs, depending on where the procedure will be performed.» Read More
After a two-week impasse with Democrats and Republicans proposing competing COVID-19 pandemic relief bills, the Senate (on April 21, 2020) and the House (on April 23, 2020) approved a total of $480 billion of additional funds for various COVID-19 pandemic relief programs, including additional funding to the Payroll Protection Program, health care providers treating COVID-19 patients, and state and federal agencies for COVID-19 testing and contact tracing.» Read More
Update: On Thursday evening, April 23, 2020, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) extended the deadline for hospitals in the nation’s hardest-hit areas to apply for additional relief from the $10 billion CARES Act fund set aside for this purpose.» Read More
Beginning April 10, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”), assisted by UnitedHealth Group, began distributing the $30 billion to health care providers and health care systems. These payments are not loans and will not need to be repaid.» Read More
On April 10, 2020, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced the creation of a state loan program, entitled the Hospital Emergency Loan Program, or HELP for short, to assist hospitals that are facing unprecedented challenges from COVID-19. The loan program will provide immediate financial support to hospitals in Pennsylvania for working capital in order to retain health care personnel and acquire personal protective equipment.» Read More
