Helpful COVID-19 Resources

FREE APA Telehealth Webinars

The Telepsychology Best Practices 101 training series is an introduction to the ins and outs of real-world telepsychology. Each 2-hour webinar details the competencies needed for telepractice, including critical ethical, legal, clinical, and technical issues, together with reimbursement strategies. The series discusses practical ways to leverage a variety of technologies with a focus on video conferencing. As an introduction to the field, this training series outlines a variety of routes to reach more people, to lower your overhead and to focus on the specialty area(s) that interest you most. Original webinar date: October/November 2019.

*This program provides an introductory overview and orientation to Telehealth and providing Telehealth services. Please contact Telebehavioral Health Institute, Inc with specific questions for recommendations on advanced programs tailored to participants’ individual interests and needs.

For a limited time this program is available FREE of charge. This exclusive offer does not apply to previously purchased segments in this series.

Click here to take the webinars

Expanded Telehealth Benefits for Medicare Beneficiaries During COVID-19 Outbreak

The Trump Administration today announced expanded Medicare telehealth coverage that will enable beneficiaries to receive a wider range of healthcare services from their doctors without having to travel to a healthcare facility. Beginning on March 6, 2020, Medicare—administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)—will temporarily pay clinicians to provide telehealth services for beneficiaries residing across the entire country.

To read the Fact Sheet on this announcement visit: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/medicare-telemedicine-health-care-provider-fact-sheet

To read the Frequently Asked Questions on this announcement visit: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/medicare-telehealth-frequently-asked-questions-faqs-31720.pdf

This guidance, and earlier CMS actions in response to the COVID-19 virus, are part of the ongoing White House Task Force efforts. To keep up with the important work the Task Force is doing in response to COVID-19 click here www.coronavirus.gov. For information specific to CMS, please visit the Current Emergencies Website.

CMS GUIDANCE:

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is taking action to protect the health and safety of our nation’s patients and providers in the wake of the 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. CMS has released a Virtual Toolkit to help you stay up-to-date on CMS materials available on COVID-19. 

CMS Fact Sheet: Expansion of the Accelerated and Advance Payments Program for Providers and Suppliers During COVID-19 Emergency

For more information on COVID-19 visit:

• Coronavirus.gov
• USA.gov

This guidance, and earlier CMS actions in response to the COVID-19 virus, are part of the ongoing White House Task Force efforts. To keep up with the important work the Task Force is doing in response to COVID-19 click here Coronavirus.gov.  For information specific to CMS, please visit the Current Emergencies Website. 

TELEMEDICINE - CODE OF VIRGINIA - Click here for PDF of Code citation

Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services - Provider Flexibilities Related to COVID-10 Memo 3/19/2020

PROVISIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS/GUIDANCE FOR TELENEUROPSYCHOLOGY - COVID-19

How Virginia's Insurance Industry is Responding to COVID-19

UPDATES FROM INSURANCE COMPANIES:

• Aetna (3/17/2020 letter)
• Aetna Televideo Service Codes
• Anthem
• BCBS
• Cigna
• Magellan FAQs for Commercial
• Optum Policy on Conducting Assessment/Testing via Telehealth

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RESOURCES AND LINKS

• CDC Coronavirus Information
• Virginia Department of  Health
• Financial Assistance
• APA Practice Resources in Response to COVID-19
• Healthcare Providers
  • PPE Recommendations for COVID-19 in Shortage Situations
  • CDC Information for Healthcare Professionals
  • VDH Interim Guidance for COVID-19 Testing (3/13/20)
  • VDH Healthcare Personnel Risk Assessment Tool
  • VDH FAQs for Healthcare Providers
  • VDH VHHA COVID-19 Briefing (3/4/2020)
  • ICD-10 Coding Guidelines for COVID-19
  • DMAS Information for Providers - COVID-19
• Businesses
  • VDH Considerations Associated with Cancelling or Modifying an Event in Response to COVID-19​
  • VDH Interim Guidance: Considerations for Businesses and Employers, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
  • CDC Guidance for Businesses and Employers
  • U.S. Small Business Administration to Provide Disaster Assistance Loans for Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19
  • Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act)
  • Information on SBA Paycheck Protection Program Loans
  • Paycheck Protection Program Loan Guide - U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• Virginia Employment Commission

• Gov. Ralph Northam has directed the commissioner of the Virginia Employment Commission to waive the one-week waiting period for people to receive unemployment benefits. Also, the normal requirement that those receiving unemployment benefits must conduct two job searches a week is being waived. In addition, the governor’s office said Virginians may be eligible to receive unemployment benefits if:

  • their employer needs to “temporarily slow or cease operations due to the coronavirus outbreak”;
  • they have been issued a notice to self-quarantine by a medical or public health official and are not receiving paid sick or medical leave from their employer; or
  • they must stay home to care for an ill family member and are not receiving paid family medical leave from their employer.

  Also, Northam’s office said it is directing the Virginia Employment Commission to give affected individuals “special consideration on deadlines, mandatory re-employment appointments, and work search requirements.”

• Attention Workers Whose Job Has Been Affected by the Coronavirus
• Q&A on Claims Related to Coronavirus
• In addition, at this writing the U.S. Senate is considering the U.S. House of Representatives-passed Families First Coronavirus Response Act that currently contains these provisions:
  • Guarantees 10 paid sick days (80 hours) to full-time workers, prorated for part-time workers.
  • Temporarily extents the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provide paid leave to employees working for a business with fewer than 500 employees.
  • Permits employers to claim a quarterly tax credit against payroll taxes for payments for sick days and family and medical leave up to an amount that does not exceed the business’ total payroll taxes paid in that quarter.
• Department of Labor Poster on Employee Rights
• Legal Advice: Members with employment questions specific to their situation should contact their attorney for legal advice as may be necessary.
• Keeping Your Distance to Stay Safe
  https://www.apa.org/practice/programs/dmhi/research-information/social-distancing
• Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020
• Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with the Coronavirus Disease 2019
  The National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 2020
• Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Advice for the Public
  World Health Organization, 2020
• Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health: Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation During an Infectious Disease Outbreak
  Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2014
• The psychological impact of quarantine and how to reduce it: rapid review of the evidence
  Brooks, S.K., et al., The Lancet, 2020