August 2020

Ortho News - New CT Telehealth Bill, Virtual Society Business Meeting, CMS 2021 MD Fee Schedule Proposed & PPP, Business Insurance & Your Practice
OrthoNews & Updates
August 2020
Please Join Us

COS 2020 Virtual Business Meeting
Wednesday, September 16, 2020     8 p.m.
 
All 2020 COS members are cordially invited to attend the Society's Business Meeting next month. In accordance with the COS Bylaws, the Society will host a virtual COS 2020 Business Meeting on Wednesday, September 16th at 8 p.m., to conduct the membership vote for the open positions on the COS Board of Directors. 

We hope you can join the meeting (via Zoom).   Please contact the COS at 8606901146 or via email if you have any questions or concerns.  Thank you.
CT Legislative Special Session

CT Legislature Passes Telehealth Bill

The CT Legislature passed HB 6001 which was signed into law on July 31, 2020. The bill provides for telehealth coverage for audio-only in-network and parity in reimbursement. 

COS lobbyist, Ross Gionfriddo prepared the following summary of the changes in HB 6001. 
 
Summary

This bill modifies requirements for the delivery of telehealth services and insurance coverage of these services until March 15, 2021. It largely extends practices for telehealth reimbursement/parity from Medicaid and from private insurers that had been in effect since late March / early April.
 
The bill applies to telehealth providers who are (1) in-network providers for fully-insured health plans or (2) Connecticut Medical Assistance Program (“CMAP,” i.e., Medicaid and HUSKY B) providers providing care or services to established CMAP patients.

CMS Open Door Forum
2021 Physician Fee Schedule, Appropriate Use Criteria, Telehealth, Scope of Practice & More

Don't miss the next CMS Open Door Forum on Wednesday, August 19, 2020, from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. This Forum is open to anyone and the Agenda (subject to change) will include discussion on:
  • FY 2021 Physicians Fee Schedule Final Rule Updates   
  • Telehealth (and Other Services Involving Communications Technology)
  • Care Management and Remote Physiologic Monitoring Services
  • Evaluation and Management Services and Related Valuations
  • Proposals Regarding Professional Scope of Practice and Related Issues
  • Scope of Practice
  • Appropriate Use Criteria Announcement
  • Open Payments
  • Changes from the SUPPORT Act

Open Door Participation Instructions:
Conference Call Only. To participate by phone:
Dial: 1-888-455-1397 & Conference Passcode: 9375124
COS Supporting AAOS Advocacy Efforts With In District Meetings

COS Representatives will be advocating for all CT orthopaedic surgeons and their patients during the August In District Advocacy Event in late August. The COS is joining AAOS members from around the country to meet with members of Congress in district to discuss key issues including:

·      Cuts recently proposed by CMS in the 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule,
·      Medical liability reform,
·      Prior authorization reform, and

To learn more about the issues, the AAOS has prepared one page talking points for each. Simply click on the link for more information. 

If you would like to reach out to your Representative on any or all of these issues, simply contact the COS for office staff contacts and email addresses to connect directly with their office. 

COS Hosted Webinar: Surviving Covid 19: How to Best Evaluate Your Orthopaedic Practice

COS recently hosted a webinar, “Surviving Covid 19: How to Best Evaluate Your Orthopaedic Practice”, which featured legal, accounting and practice management experts presenting on, Accounting for Your PPP, Business Interruption Insurance and Understanding Your Practice Loss and Expenses.
 
The webinar recording and powerpoint slides from the panelists are available to the COS members and their staff by clicking on the links below.  
 

Does Commercial Property/Business Interruption Insurance Cover Losses & Expenses Resulting from Covid 19 for Medical Practices?

Special thanks to featured webinar speaker, Archie Lamb, Jr, Esq. and of Counsel with the law firm Levin, Papantonio, Thomas, Mitchell, Rafferty and Proctor, Florida for providing this article. To reach Attorney Lamb, please email him at alamb@levinlaw.com
 
Since early 2020, medical practices across the nation have been facing a growing problem: loss of business as a result of the novel coronavirus and the disease it causes, COVID-19. Starting in March, cities, counties, and states have restricted/prohibited businesses and entered stay-at-home orders to battle the spread of COVID-19.  As a result, many medical practices were told by state and federal government order to limit or restrict services/capacity.
 
Now these medical practices are asking whether their insurance policies cover losses from COVID-19. What follows is an outline to consider the significant issues that may arise in connection with insurance coverage for COVID-19 business losses and expenditures specific to medical practices.
 
Melanson Media