NCMSF Financial Recovery Program Payout Increases

Independent practices eligible for state funds through the NCMS Foundation administered Financial Recovery Program (FRP), now may receive an increased maximum payout of $160,000 for tier 1 practices and $120,000 for tier 2 practices.

Learn more about practice eligibility requirements and what COVID-19 related expenses qualify for reimbursement at the FRP webpage here. The deadline to apply for these funds is Nov. 30, so please act today.

The NCMS Foundation has been charged by the NC General Assembly with administering this program and is required to distribute all the funds to eligible practices by the end of the year. As applications have been received, the payout has been adjusted to ensure all funds are equitably dispersed to those in need. Please spread the word to colleagues who may qualify.

The NCMS lobbying team worked closely with the NC Academy of Family Physicians, the NC Pediatric Society, the NC College of Emergency Physicians, the NC Association of Physician Assistants, the NC Obstetrics and Gynecology Society and the NC Dermatology Association in order to secure the state appropriation that funds the FRP.

Don’t forget PPE! The NCMS Foundation also received a $5 million appropriation to purchase and distribute personal protective equipment (PPE) to independent practices.

Even if you currently have adequate supplies, it makes sense to stockpile these products for future needs. Learn more and order your PPE today by clicking here.

Apply Here

Be prepared with:

• Practice NPI
• Provider NPI(s)
• Receipts / Invoices of allowable expenses
• Bank account information

You may not claim reimbursement for expenses already paid for through the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) or CARES Act Provider Relief Program.

Eligible expenditures include, but are not limited to, payment for:

• Clinical staff Covid-19 specific expenses – payroll and benefits
• Administrative staff expenses (only for hours dedicated to COVID-19)
• Telehealth equipment cost- computers, cameras, hotspots, etc.
• Infection control costs- PPE, thermometers, cleaning/disinfecting/sanitizing cost, etc.
• Renovations/cost to accommodate social distancing or improving ventilation (plexiglass installation, HVAC updates, HEPA filters, etc.)

NCMSF Financial Recovery Program

The North Carolina Medical Society Foundation (NCMSF) is proud to oversee the state-funded Financial Recovery Program (FRP) to assist eligible practices throughout the state that are experiencing economic distress due to the pandemic.

Funding will be based on reimbursement for COVID-19-related expenses incurred between March 1 and Nov. 30, 2020.

Your practice is eligible if it falls in ALL of the following categories:

(1) Your practice is organized in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 55B and registered with the North Carolina Medical Board as a professional corporation or professional limited liability company with the purpose of practicing medicine.

(2) Your practice currently provides or contracts for professional medical services.

(3) Your practice is not owned, managed or otherwise controlled by an entity defined in G.S. 131E-76(3), such as a health system.

(4) Your practice is not managed by a practice management company unless the practice management company is majority owned by North Carolina licensed physicians.

The deadline to apply is Nov. 30, 2020 with no exceptions.

Apply Here

Be prepared with:

• Practice NPI
• Provider NPI(s)
• Receipts / Invoices of allowable expenses
• Bank account information

You may not claim reimbursement for expenses already paid for through the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) or CARES Act Provider Relief Program.

Eligible expenditures include, but are not limited to, payment for:

• Clinical staff Covid-19 specific expenses – payroll and benefits
• Administrative staff expenses (only for hours dedicated to COVID-19)
• Telehealth equipment cost- computers, cameras, hotspots, etc.
• Infection control costs- PPE, thermometers, cleaning/disinfecting/sanitizing cost, etc.
• Renovations/cost to accommodate social distancing or improving ventilation (plexiglass installation, HVAC updates, HEPA filters, etc.)

HHS to reopen Provider Relief Fund applications for certain Medicare providers

Originally published in the August 6, 2020 issue of MGMA’s Washington Connection. Reprinted with permission from MGMA.

HHS announced it will allow a second opportunity for Medicare providers to access payments from the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund (PRF). Starting the week of Aug. 10, HHS will permit Medicare providers that missed the opportunity to apply for additional funding from the $20 billion second tranche of the $50 billion Medicare General Distribution. This opportunity will also be opened to Medicare providers that experienced a change in ownership in 2020 and therefore failed to receive a PRF payment based on 2019 CMS claims data. Both groups of providers will have until Aug. 28 to submit their revenue information to be considered for additional funding. Additional information on this second funding opportunity is expected via the PRF webpage next week.

New draft legislation to amend PPP loans

After hearing from constituents, Congress identified several issues with the PPP as currently implemented. As a result, a number of bills were introduced to amend the PPP to provide borrowers with more flexibility. One of these bills, the Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act, is scheduled for a vote in the House of Representatives today. MGMA supports this legislation, which would allow loan forgiveness for expenses beyond the eight-week covered period, eliminate the restriction that limits nonpayroll expenses to 25% of the loan amount, extend the two-year maximum loan term requirement, and allow PPP borrowers to utilize the payroll tax deferment incentive established in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.

Regulatory Alert: HHS CARES Act Grant Funding Attestation Portal Now Open

Originally published by MGMA on April 16, 2020
Reprinted with permission from MGMA

The Attestation Portal for the initial $30 billion general distribution from the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) is now open. Providers that received a payment from HHS as part of the Provider Relief Fund authorized under the CARES Act must sign an attestation confirming receipt of the funds and agreeing to the terms and conditions within 30 days of receiving payment.

To complete the attestation, billing entities must provide their Taxpayer Identification Number. Should you choose to reject the funds, you must also complete the attestation to indicate this. The Portal will guide you through the attestation process to accept or reject the funds.

Group practices with questions about the grant funds can call the Provider Relief hotline at (866) 569-3522. Please note that the terms and conditions are subject to further clarification by HHS, and MGMA will pass along any additional guidance if it is made available.

April 14th Webinar on the COVID-19 Pandemic and Legislative and Regulatory Changes

COVID-19 Pandemic and Legislative and Regulatory Changes: A Physician Practice’s Guide

April 14 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered dramatic legislative and regulatory action and altered the way health care is being delivered. Combined, these effects of the pandemic have upended the status quo for health care providers across the country. As employers, health care providers are faced with unique challenges in this new landscape. As heavily regulated entities, providers need to navigate the rapidly changing landscape to ensure compliance.

The Parker Poe team is prepared to help health care providers, vendors, and other entities understand and adapt to their evolving obligations during this pandemic with the least amount of stress and uncertainty possible.

Webinar Topics

• CARES Act
  • Payment Protection Program
  • Employee Retention Tax Credit
  • Economic Impact Disaster Loans (Including Grant Advances)
  • Expansion of Accelerated and Advance Payment Program
  • Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund
• The Families First Coronavirus Response Act Update
  • FMLA Expansion Leave
  • Emergency Paid Sick Leave
  • The “Health Care Provider” Exception
• DOL Guidance on Wage Payment and Leave Issues
• Business Interruption Insurance Policies
• Telemedicine Expansion
• North Carolina Medicaid Policy Changes

Our Panelists

Joy Hord
Partner
Parker Poe
Joy Hord represents clients in the health care industry, focusing on regulatory and compliance matters. She also has significant experience representing health care professionals and organizations with business law, contract and transactional matters, such as mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures. Her clients include hospitals, physician groups, pharmacies, and other health care providers.

Tory Summey
Associate
Parker Poe
Tory Summey focuses on employment counseling and litigation for multi-state employers in various industries. He advises on issues related to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), Title VII, state wage and hour laws, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), and employee benefits issues.

Matt Wolfe
Partner
Parker Poe
Matt Wolfe guides clients through the evolving legal and regulatory environment to meet their business needs and the needs of those they serve. Clients have relied on him to navigate federal and state health reform, Medicaid and Medicare changes, and a broad variety of health law and policy. He works proactively with clients to ensure compliance and minimize violations. Matt provides counsel to health care clients who are growing, exiting or otherwise adapting to the increasingly complex health care industry.

Matt Johnson (Moderator)
NCMGMA Education Chair
Chief Administrative Officer
Wake Internal Medicine Consultants (WIMC)
Matt Johnson has been in health care since 1994 and spearheaded the joint venture between a physician-owned corporation and a not-for-profit hospital before joining WIMC in 2014. With an unwavering dedication to the betterment of each physician, manager, and staff member, Matt has created the Employee Activity Council, has organized multiple food and school drives and has implemented Loyalty Grades throughout the 170-employee practice.

Registration

This webinar is complimentary for NCMGMA members and for non-members. Space is limited so make sure to register early! After you register, you will receive an emailed confirmation with webinar and phone-in instructions.

• Click here to register

Continuing education credit may be granted through your professional organization (MGMA, PAHCOM, AHIMA, etc.). Please self-submit for these organizations.

Questions

For questions or more information please contact the NCMGMA offices at info@ncmgm.org.

 

Regulatory Alert: New MGMA Resources on Federal Financial Assistance

Originally published by MGMA on April 3, 2020
Reprinted with permission by MGMA

MGMA Government Affairs developed two new resources to inform medical groups of available financial assistance opportunities set forth in the CARES Act, which was signed into law on March 27, 2020. The resources are organized by medical group size because the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) are only available to businesses with 500 employees or less. Please note that financial lenders should start accepting applications for PPP loans today, although it has been reported that not all lenders are prepared. In the meantime, SBA has supplied a sample application form for applicants to understand what will be requested of them.

Resource for medical groups with less than 500 employees: The CARES Act allocated money to fund the PPP loans and EIDLs. Loans under the PPP can be forgiven if the employer keeps their employees on the payroll for eight weeks after the loan origination date. EIDL loans are available to businesses who have suffered substantial economic injury. Small businesses who have applied for EIDL loans can receive an advance of $10,000 (“emergency EIDL grants”) within three days after the SBA receives their application. Please review MGMA’s resource for more details on both programs.

Resource for medical groups of all sizes: CMS’s Accelerated and Advance Payment Program (APP) and funds distributed from the “Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund” are two available financial assistance options. The APP provides a quick mechanism for healthcare entities to obtain an accelerated cash flow, which is subject to repayment – funding through this mechanism can be accessed now. Little is known yet on how the $100 billion from the emergency fund will be distributed, but these funds are intended to reimburse eligible healthcare entities for healthcare related expenses and lost revenue stemming from COVID-19.

April 3 MGMA State Affiliate Webinar: COVID-19 Legislative and Regulatory Actions To-Date

MGMA Washington Update: COVID-19 Legislative
and Regulatory Actions To-Date

Friday, April 3, 2020 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT

Session Description

This update will provide the latest information from the National MGMA Government Affairs team on the latest actions taken by Congress and federal regulatory agencies in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Attendees will learn about recent legislative and regulatory developments affecting medical groups, gain a deeper understanding of these changes and their impact on the day-to-day activities of medical group practices, and be directed to clarifying resources.

Topics Include:

• The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act
• CMS Advanced Payments
• Medicare Telehealth
• MGMA Advocacy and Resources

About Our Speakers

Drew Voytal serves as an Associate Director for MGMA Government Affairs in Washington DC. In his primary role as a Government Affairs member liaison, he works to inform membership of the federal rules and regulations impacting medical group practices around the country. He works closely with MGMA state affiliate chapters to organize grassroots efforts and is a frequent speaker at state and national meetings. In addition to meeting with members and speaking at conferences, Drew manages education and outreach programs that inform MGMA members as well as policymakers in Congress and the administration.

Claire Ernst is an Associate Director of Government Affairs. Claire represents MGMA in Washington DC on a variety of legislative and regulatory issues important to MGMA members. In this role, she helps inform policy makers of the important role group medical practices have in the healthcare system. Before joining MGMA, Claire was the Manager of Government and Regulatory Affairs at HIDA, the national trade association for medical-surgical distributors. In her role there, Claire developed and maintained the association’s regulatory portfolio through Congressional and agency advocacy.

Registration

• To register online for this webinar, please follow the this link.

COVID-19 Regulatory Alert: CMS Announces Expanded Advance Payment Program to Provide Accelerated Loans to Healthcare Providers

Originally published in the March 30, 2020 issue of MGMA’s Washington Connection
Reprinted with permission from MGMA

On Saturday, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced nationwide expansion of the existing accelerated Advance Payment Program (APP), making the program available for most Medicare physicians and group practices. The APP provides a quick mechanism for healthcare entities to obtain accelerated, interest-free cash flow. Specifically, the APP fact sheet outlines that:

• Physician practices can request an advanced payment of up to 100% of the Medicare payment amount based on a three-month lookback period. Hospitals can request up to 100% (125% for critical access hospitals) based on a six-month lookback period. The guidance does not specify how the lookback period is determined.
• Healthcare entities must make a request for an accelerated payment under the APP by submitting a form to their Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC).
• Once requested, CMS anticipates MACs will issue payment within seven calendar days from the request.
• The criteria for applying for the APP are:
  • Having billed Medicare for claims within 180 days immediately prior to the date of request;
  • Not in bankruptcy;
  • Not under active medical review or program integrity investigation; and
  • No outstanding delinquent Medicare overpayments.
• APP payments are subject to repayment, which for most healthcare entities begins 120 days after the payment is received.
  • During the 120-day period, the healthcare entity will continue to be paid like normal for claims submitted to Medicare.
  • After the 120 days, the recoupment process starts and every claim submitted will be offset to repay the advanced payment.

   

This announcement is a step in the right direction; however, MGMA is advocating that the Administration make available funding that is not subject to repayment or recoupment. Recently passed legislation (the CARES Act) creates several financial assistance programs, including $100 billion in grants for Medicare physicians and hospitals. Although the APP fact sheet states that the APP reflects the passage of the CARES Act, which did expand the APP, this program is not part of the $100 billion in funding authorized under that law.