COVID-19 Coronavirus Portal
Pertinent information to help providers continue to give the care your patients need
To all health care providers – thank you for working on the front lines of the COVID-19 Coronavirus fight. We at nThrive value your service and hope for your health and safety.
- The COVID-19 Coronavirus resource center contains critical updates and education to help providers stay informed and mitigate business disruptions caused by threats, such as revenue shortages and staff reductions.
- Information on this health care portal includes – CMS protocols, health care education courses, briefs, expert webinars, reference guides, health information management products, revenue cycle management solutions and staffing solutions to combat shortages at your hospital or health care organization.
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CARES Act Waivers
04/02/2020
New waivers released by CMS on March 30, 2020 introduce new flexibilities and expand previous waivers published.
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CARES Act Waivers Part II
04/08/2020
The CARES Act includes other key provisions related to hospitals and health systems not otherwise covered in the specific coding updates.
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Commercial Cost Sharing
04/14/2020
New guidance to ensure Americans with private health insurance have coverage of COVID-19 diagnostic testing and certain other related services, including antibody testing, at no cost.
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Compliance Topics
04/01/2020
CMS has released waivers that address topics that otherwise might be considered compliance issues such as EMTALA, verbal orders, Stark Law, etc.
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Condition Code DR and Modifier CR Update
04/07/2020
Clarification of guidelines for reporting Condition code DR, Disaster Related, and Modifier CR, Catastrophe/disaster related.
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Convalescent Plasma
04/22/2020
Review of the national Expanded Access Program (EAP) designed to collect and provide convalescent plasma with antibodies from recovered COVID-19 patients to patients in need across the country.
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Diagnostic Testing
05/04/2020
A new CPT code created by AMA and diagnostic testing requirements.
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Diagnostic Testing Coverage
03/19/2020
Steps that patients must take to obtain a test, including a physician order.
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FCC Telehealth Program
04/16/2020
New guidance on actions applicants can take to prepare for filing an application for COVID19 Telehealth Program funding.
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Financial Updates
04/29/2020
CMS has granted several financial updates including but not limited to Accelerated/Advance payments and updates to Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS).
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ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Coding
04/02/2020
CDC action changing the effective date of new diagnosis code U07.1, COVID-19, from October 1 to April 1, 2020.
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Implementing Virtual and Telehealth Services
03/23/2020
Guidance on implementing virtual and telehealth services including two comprehensive toolkits.
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Inpatient Hospital Care Update
04/08/2020
CMS has released an updated ICD-10 MS-DRG GROUPER software package allowing a 20% increase to the DRG rate to accommodate the new ICD-10-CM diagnosis code U07.1 effective with discharges on and after April 1, 2020.
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Interim CDC Recommendations for Inpatient OB Care
03/27/2020
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has published infection control recommendations for inpatient hospital providers to consider in providing obstetric (OB) services.
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Laboratory Waiver Update
05/11/2020
New laboratory waivers released on March 30, 2020 provide flexibility with CLIA guidance, specimen collection and data collection from hospitals.
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Medicare Beneficiary Notice Delivery Guidance
03/27/2020
CMS released an MLN Connects bulletin that includes guidance for delivery of beneficiary notices to patients who may have COVID-19.
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Medicare Provider Enrollment Relief
03/23/2020
Summary of enrollment relief to help hospitals onboard additional Medicare eligible providers.
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Medicare Waivers
03/17/2020
Waivers issued by CMS to prevent gaps in access to care for beneficiaries impacted by the emergency.
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Modifier CS Cost-Sharing Coding Update
04/08/2020
CMS released guidelines for reporting Modifier CS to identify claims where cost-sharing is being waived in relation to the COVID-19 emergency.
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Provider Relief Fund
04/29/2020
Summary of the relief fund process and payments distributed to hospitals and other health care providers.
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Quality Reporting Waiver
03/23/2020
Summary of exceptions granted for reporting requirements and extensions for providers participating in Medicare quality reporting programs.
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Re-opening Health Care
04/23/2020
Summary guidelines released by the White House for Opening Up America Again, using a three-phased approach based on the advice of public health experts.
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RHC and FQHC Payment Update April 17, 2020
04/22/2020
Summary of payment and reporting guidelines for telehealth claim submission by RHC and FQHC distant site providers.
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State Medicaid Waivers and Telehealth
03/27/2020
Guidance on state Medicaid waivers published, including available telehealth flexibility.
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Telehealth Expansion
05/06/2020
CMS published additional temporary emergency rules to further expand telehealth including over 135 allowed services and new qualified providers including but not limited to therapists, licensed clinical social workers, and clinical psychologists.
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Telehealth HIPAA Waiver Update
03/20/2020
A bulletin released by HHS allowing covered health care providers to use popular applications for video chats.
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Telehealth Hospital Outpatient Billing
05/11/2020
New regulation from CMS for billing hospital outpatient provider-based department (HOPD) services using communication technology-based services (CTBS) similar to or the same as used for telehealth.
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Telehealth RHC/FQHC Billing
05/06/2020
New regulation including more definitive guidelines on how Rural Health Clinics (RHC) and Federally Qualified Health Clinics (FQHC) are to report and be reimbursed for telehealth services.
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Utilization Review/Case Management Updates
04/02/2020
New waivers released by CMS provide flexibility with utilization review and case management requirements including but not limited to discharge planning, 3-day SNF stays and advanced directives.
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Business Continuity and Recovery for COVID-19 and Beyond
UPDATED05/22/2020
Keeping up with COVID-19 – May 21, 2020, 1 pm ET: COVID-19 quickly tested the Business Continuity Plans of healthcare organizations. How did your organization measure up? Are you prepared for an anticipated increase in volumes? Or the predicted second wave that might disrupt operations later this year? During this session, attendees will learn how pre-planning for Business Continuity and Business Recovery during a pandemic or other disruption of service is key to ensuring ongoing success and viability of operations, understand where and when to leverage technology, and learn strategies for augmenting resources when valued team members are unable to work.
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How Robotic Process Automation Can Improve Revenue Cycle Efficiency During COVID-19 Recovery
05/19/2020
Keeping up with COVID-19 – May 14, 2020, 1 pm ET: During the COVID-19 crisis, health care organizations have been challenged to dramatically change many of their revenue cycle management processes, respond to volume shifts in elective surgeries and routine Emergency Room (ER) cases, and adjust staffing to compensate. This session highlights how organizations will respond to a high volume of rescheduled procedures, potentially lower productivity, and higher volume leading to a spike in AR days as America reopens.
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Securing Revenue for Hospitals and Providers in a COVID-19 Environment
05/20/2020
Keeping up with COVID-19 – June 4, 2020, 1 pm ET: Ongoing changes to federal and state regulations are causing many hospitals to struggle with understanding how to bill claims for COVID-19 patients, and what data analysis will help ensure that all providers secure the reimbursement available. This presentation is designed to address the regulatory requirements for reporting COVID-19 claims and the proactive analysis to conduct to help providers secure revenue during this challenging time. We will also address next steps for you to consider as the journey to normalcy continues.
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Business Continuity and Recovery Solutions for COVID-19 Coronavirus
nThrive offers business continuity solutions to fill current staffing shortages, transition colleagues to critical role and preserve cash and accounts receivables. Our business recovery solutions identify and recover cash as well as scaling critical revenue cycle operations to return to normal.
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Diagnosis Testing as of April 1, 2020
This video provides an overview of new codes released in response to COVID-19 Coronavirus that went into effect April 1, 2020.
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Telehealth and Virtual Visit Now Available From CMS
This video provides an overview of new HCPCS and CPT codes for telehealth and virtual visit are now available from CMS.
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"Keeping up with COVID" Webinar Recap: Leveraging Telehealth Now and Beyond
05/06/2020
Based on legislative changes, telehealth can be leveraged anywhere in the country to provide impactful patient solutions during times of social distancing. Read our nThrive Webinar recap on the waivers or watch the Webinar-on-Demand (WOD) here to learn about the benefits of telehealth for patient care and physician safety during the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic.
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"Keeping up with COVID-19" Webinar Recap: Understanding CARES Funding and Programs
05/07/2020
Although complicated, it behooves health care organizations to understand and comply with CARES Act requirements. Read our recap of the "Keeping up with COVID-19" CARES Act webinar to learn more.
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Access CARES Act Provider Relief Funds Today
05/06/2020
Beginning May 6, 2020 providers can begin the qualification process to receive COVID-19 claims reimbursement for uninsured patients. If providers aren’t able to complete the required steps in a timely and efficient manner, they run the risk of delayed or missed reimbursement. Read more to learn how to begin accessing CARES Act Provider Relief Funds today.
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nThrive, Banner and Moffitt Cancer Center Explore Robotic Process Automation
Software "bots" can automate some repetitive functions in the health care revenue cycle, freeing staff for higher value tasks. Read our blog on how automation can reduce costs and increase efficiency at your medical organization.
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Three Keys to a Top-Notch Virtual Work Environment – for COVID-19 and Beyond
05/08/2020
Virtualization in health care is accelerating as a result of COVID-19, from telehealth to business operations. Read a recap of our "Keeping up with COVID-19" virtualization webinar to learn more.
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Value-based Care Analytics: Leveraging Data Insights to Enhance Reimbursement and Quality
In today’s value-driven reality, government legislation such as the 2015 Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) is shaping the course with new value-based reimbursement (VBR) payment models, linking quality performance metrics to provider reimbursement. Health care organizations are under immense pressure to adapt to VBR and quality-based incentive models to replace fee-for-service models.
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COVID-19 Coronavirus Diagnostic Testing
UPDATED05/29/2020
Quick reference guide summarizes laboratory testing and diagnostic coding guidelines.
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Accelerated Payments
04/29/2020
Quick reference guide summarizes Accelerated / Advance payments including eligible providers and repayment terms.
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Product Enhancement Quick Reference
Document summarizes provider support available and scheduled product updates to support health care organizations throughout the pandemic and beyond.
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Telehealth Documentation and Consent
05/06/2020
Quick reference guide summarizes the documentation requirements for Telehealth visits, Virtual check-ins and E-visits.
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Telehealth Professional Coding
05/06/2020
Quick reference guide summarizes professional coding and billing requirements for health care providers on a 1500 claim.
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Coding for Telemedicine
04/22/2020
This webinar provides an overview of telemedicine, including the types of services, a review of the Medicare Telemedicine Health Care Provider Fact Sheet and CPT and HCPCS coding.
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COVID-19 Coronavirus Free Courses
04/15/2020
Access COVID-19 Coronavirus courses for health care colleagues at no cost, hosted by our education partner, HealthStream.
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Business Continuity and Recovery Solutions for COVID-19 Coronavirus
nThrive offers business continuity solutions to fill current staffing shortages, transition colleagues to critical role and preserve cash and accounts receivables. Our business recovery solutions identify and recover cash as well as scaling critical revenue cycle operations to return to normal business operations.
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COVID-19 Coronavirus and nThrive Business Continuity Plans
05/07/2020
nThrive enacted its business continuity plan on February 28, 2020, in anticipation of our need to make colleague safety, business continuity, and extending additional support to clients our top three priorities.
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COVID-19 Coronavirus and nThrive Protocols
The nThrive approach is to align with the CDC recommendations, as well as recommendations from other Government agencies in the US and India, to help ensure that our colleagues and their families stay safe and healthy. nThrive is continuing to monitor the situation and will provide updates as needed.
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COVID-19 Uninsured Coverage Verification
05/05/2020
Steps to ensure your organization receives funding from the HRSA COVID-19 Uninsured Program.
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Financial Viability Preservation for Health Care Providers
Steps to ensure your organization continues to serve its community.
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Product Enhancement Quick Reference
Reference guide summarizes product updates, progress and timing as nThrive enhances technology that tackle issues caused by COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic.
Disclaimer. The information on this site (the “Content”) is intended for educational and reference purposes only. nThrive strives to provide accurate information in the Content, but assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear. nThrive makes no warranty, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability, or usefulness of any Content provided and specifically disclaims any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. All Content is provided on an “as-is” basis. While the Content may reference materials or content from other third parties such as the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”), the information provided does not necessarily reflect opinions, policies, and/or official positions of CMS or any other third party. The Content is not meant to be a substitute for any medical, financial, legal or other professional advice and users are advised to use their own clinical judgment and/or seek professional assistance where appropriate.