Dear Tenants, March 19, 2020
The major information presented today by governmental agencies is the need to continue our push toward stopping the spread of disease throughout our local community, state, and nation. Our health care systems are already overwhelmed with potential cases as well as normal health emergencies. Therefore, remaining at home and making good decisions will keep you, and our community safe.
As Gov. Cuomo stated, we are fighting two aspects with this pandemic 1) the virus itself and 2) fear. By staying calm, asking questions, and following along with our recommendations, it will poise us ALL for success. Our Governor also stated that senior citizens should be hyper-cautious about who they are in contact with and where they are going. We are receiving all of our facts on the virus from trusted governmental sources which helps us act accordingly with good recommendations.
New York State has mandated that we reduce workforce to 25%. Therefore, we will remain to have essential workers on-site such as:
- Kitchen chef and delivery staff
- Front-office (1 per day)
- Housekeeping (1 per day)
- Maintenance (1 per day and on-call 24/7)
- All others are available remotely
In regards to your Medicare coverage during these unprecedented times, please read the following:
EXPANSION OF TELEHEALTH WITH 1135 WAIVER: Under this new waiver, Medicare can pay for office, hospital, and other visits furnished via telehealth across the country and including in patient’s places of residence starting March 6, 2020.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Effective for services starting March 6, 2020 and for the duration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, Medicare will make payment for Medicare telehealth services furnished to patients in broader circumstances.
- These visits are considered the same as in-person visits and are paid at the same rate as regular, in-person visits.
- Starting March 6, 2020 and for the duration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, Medicare will make payment for professional services furnished to beneficiaries in all areas of the country in all settings.
- While they must generally travel to or be located in certain types of originating sites such as a physician’s office, skilled nursing facility or hospital for the visit, effective for services starting March 6, 2020 and for the duration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, Medicare will make payment for Medicare telehealth services furnished to beneficiaries in any healthcare facility and in their home.
- The Medicare coinsurance and deductible would generally apply to these services. However, the HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) is providing flexibility for healthcare providers to reduce or waive cost-sharing for telehealth visits paid by federal healthcare programs.
- To the extent the 1135 waiver requires an established relationship, HHS will not conduct audits to ensure that such a prior relationship existed for claims submitted during this public health emergency.
As you may already know, we are monitoring the situation at all times of the day and night. The good news is that progress is being made to find treatments for this virus. We WILL get through this as a community.
Respectfully,
Dominick M. Manfredo
Executive Director / CEO