Current Information for small business financial assistance, coding & billing for telehealth services, and Alcon Market Access & Reimbursement Services for customer support.

UPDATE: MORE FUNDING NOW AVAILABLE, MORE LENDERS ADDED

The US Treasury Department’s Paycheck Protection Program provides small businesses with funds to pay up to 8 weeks of payroll costs including benefits. Funds can also be used to pay interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. $350 billion in funds have been added to the program, as of 4/27/20.

• For a top-line overview of the program CLICK HERE
• If you’re a borrower, more information can be found HERE
• The application for borrowers can be found HERE

ACT NOW: Health and Human Services (HHS) CARES Provider Relief Fund Payments

HHS launched the CARES Provider Relief Fund portal where providers can submit Medicare revenue information to access an additional $20 billion in general funds. In mid-April HHS began distributing $30 billion in payments to Medicare providers based on historical Medicare spending.

Other economic programs are available — this includes guarantor loans to maintain payroll and pay off debts

• First, contact your financial institution or current lender for more immediate response
• Review the OVERVIEW of new financial programs available for small business
• Refer to the FAQ to help answer questions about the different loan/support options
  • Contact one of Small Business Administration’s (SBA) preferred lenders - https://www.sba.gov/partners/lenders/microloan-program/list-lenders
  • To apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL): https://disasterloan.sba.gov/.
    • For questions, please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center at 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or e-mail [email protected]
  • For more information on available loan options: https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources

To maintain patient care: Telehealth Services:

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has provided broader access to telehealth services. Here are links to on-line resources to assist with billing and coding for telehealth services:

• For Ophthalmology: AAO resources
• For Optometry: AOA resources
• CMS resources: Fact Sheet and Interim Final Rule
• Alcon is available to address your telehealth questions: Call (866) 457-0277 or e-mail: [email protected]

Other Payment Updates:

• PROGRAM ON HOLD: CMS advance and accelerated payments: In order to increase cash flow to providers impacted by COVID-19, CMS has expanded the current Accelerated and Advance Payment Program to a broader group of Medicare Part A providers and Part B suppliers: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/Accelerated-and-Advanced-Payments-Fact-Sheet.pdf?inline=1
• Sequestration temporarily suspended: Beginning on May 1 through Dec. 31, 2020, the CARES Act temporarily suspends the Medicare sequester of 2%, which will increase payments to providers
• Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) deadline extension: CMS has extended the 2019 MIPS data submission deadline by 30 days to April 30, 2020 to provide relief to clinicians responding to COVID-19. The data submission period for the 2019 performance period is January 2, 2020‒April 30, 2020: https://qpp-cm-prod-content.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/966/QPP%20COVID-19%20Response%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf

QUESTIONS – Contact MARS for additional practice support:

A dedicated Market Access & Reimbursement Services team to support your practice with billing, coding, and reimbursement questions.
Call (866) 457-0277 or e-mail: [email protected] for assistance.

NEED MORE INFORMATION:

Other sources for business support and educational information:

• US Chamber of Commerce: https://www.uschamber.com/co/start/strategy/small-business-resources-for-surviving-coronavirus
• For Ambulatory Surgery Centers - OOSS website: https://ooss.org/2020/03/20/business-survival-covid19-webinar/