Your Podiatry Practice and COVID-19

March 23, 2020

Dear member,

As the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the Texas Podiatric Medical Association wants to share some important information with you and guidance for your practice during this challenging time. Below are some links that we hope will help you deal with the current situation.

Many podiatrists are searching for answers about how to address COVID-19 in their practices and personal lives. TPMA/APMA is here to help by directing you to the most authoritative and timely news and tools. These resources are available on APMA’s COVID-19 resource page at www.apma.org/covid19 as well as an FAQ page.

PODIATRISTS CAN PROVIDE E/M SERVICES REMOTELY
A resource that may be of interest to you are APMA-developed resources on providing telehealth services. You may need to provide Telephone Services and Online Digital Evaluation and Management Services during this time. CMS has announced major changes to services that podiatrists can furnish remotely under the 1135 waiver authority and Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act. This waiver allows Medicare to pay for office, hospital, and other visits furnished via telehealth. This change means podiatrists can submit CPT 99201–99215 when these services are provided remotely. Watch APMA’s webinar for guidance on coding, compliance, and documentation for these service types. As of today, telehealth can be provided for Medicare Part B (Fee for Service) and Medicare Advantage plans only. Rules and Regulations change from day to day so stay tuned for updates.

Additionally, there may be upcoming issues with patients requiring “covered routine foot care” (RFC) and/or diabetic therapeutic shoes (DTS). With regard to the RFC and DTS it is APMA’s understanding that, “DME CMD’s suggest that CMS is having discussions with all the CMD’s on many of the policy issues given that it is not possible for most folks to get into their PCP offices right now. Priority for ill patients not for those who need to be certified for shoes or routine foot care must be given.

Some coders have also suggested that if possible (based on the patient’s history, physical finding, diagnoses and the Novitas Solution’s LCD on RFG) to use non-asterisk (*) diagnoses as these do not require the patient to be seen by their attending within the past six months. This is just a suggestion and may not be appropriate for every patient’s situation. There is also the possibility that these patients can be scheduled farther out after the virus situation and the social distancing is no longer a problem.

THE FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT WAS SIGNED INTO LAW ON MARCH 18, 2020
In the coming days and weeks, federal regulatory agencies, including the Department of Labor (DOL) and Health and Human Services (HHS), will provide guidance on how to execute or implement the new requirements. In the meantime, employers and advisors must rely on a good faith interpretation of the act’s text. View the Families First Act

ADDITIONAL LINKS:

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATION

TDLR TAKES ACTION IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 THREAT

CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC)

The CDC WEBSITE has an abundance of information concerning COVID-19. The below link has information regarding healthcare setting recommendations: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/infection-control/control-recommendations.html

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO)

Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak

JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY & MEDICINE

Coronavirus Resource Center (includes tracker)

CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES

TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION

TWC webpage has resources and information on actions taken by the commission in response to COVID-19. This page will be continuously updated with answers to questions about operating your business during this time. Please visit https://twc.texas.gov/news/covid-19-resources-employers.

CYBERSECURITY

Be aware there are fake emails coming in posing as COVID-19 informationals; these emails/sites direct you to install an applet in order to view “current” data but instead it installs a malicious program. Please be wary of any unfamiliar sites asking you to download or install anything. You can read more about it here.

Stay well and safe,

Melinda Daise
Executive Director

Steven P. Brancheau
Chief Medical Officer

CMS Announces Actions to Address Spread of Coronavirus

March 12, 2020

It is Novitas Solutions’ priority to keep you informed of updates addressing the Coronavirus (COVID-19). They have developed a dedicated Coronavirus webpage that can be easily accessed from their website home page banner and a red alert box at the top of the page. Stay informed and subscribe to the Novitas Solutions’ eNews to learn the latest Medicare news and other time-critical information.

2020 Medicare Participation Physicians/Suppliers Directory (MEDPARD) NOW AVAILABLE!

March 4, 2020

The 2020 MEDPARD (Medicare Participation Physicians/Suppliers Directory) is now available! As in the past, there will be no hardcopy distributions. Beneficiaries can use the Internet or contact 1-800-MEDICARE for assistance in locating a participating supplier near their home. Also, the beneficiary’s local Social Security Office(s), the Area Administration on Aging office(s) and other beneficiary advocacy organizations may be able to assist as well.

JH MEDPARD includes:

Arkansas
Colorado
Louisiana
Mississippi
New Mexico
Oklahoma
Texas

To access the directory, use the arrow pull-down windows to select a specific state, county and specialty. Click “Submit” and the supplier choices will display in alphabetical order.

Fraud Alert: Genetic Testing Scam

June 7, 2019

Article from the Office of the Inspector General: US Department of Health and Human Services.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General is alerting the public about a fraud scheme involving genetic testing.

Scammers are offering Medicare beneficiaries cheek swabs for genetic testing to obtain their Medicare information for identity theft or fraudulent billing purposes. Fraudsters are targeting beneficiaries through telemarketing calls, booths at public events, health fairs, and door-to-door visits.

If a beneficiary agrees to genetic testing or verifies personal or Medicare information, a testing kit is sent even if it is not ordered by a physician or medically necessary.

Protect Yourself
• If a genetic testing kit is mailed to you, don’t accept it unless it was ordered by your physician. Refuse the delivery or return it to the sender. Keep a record of the sender’s name and the date you returned the items.
• Be suspicious of anyone who offers you free genetic testing and then requests your Medicare number. If your personal information is compromised, it may be used in other fraud schemes.
• A physician that you know and trust should approve any requests for genetic testing.
• Medicare beneficiaries should be cautious of unsolicited requests for their Medicare numbers. If anyone other than your physician’s office requests your Medicare information, do not provide it.
• If you suspect Medicare fraud, contact the HHS OIG Hotline.