Covid-19 Resources

American Psychiatric Association
American Psychoanalytic Society
Board of Registration in Medicine - Licensing
Center for Disease Control
CMS – Medicare
DEA
Division of Insurance
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
From the Attorney General
From the Governor
Insurance Provider information
Licensure/ Interstate Practice during the COVID-19 State of Emergency
MA Department of Mental Health
MA Department of Public Health
Massachusetts Medical Society
MassHealth
MPS Disaster Committee Resources
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Restarting In Person Visits
Risk Management Resources
SAMHSA
Telehealth
Vaccinations

American Psychiatric Association

APA Website
APA Coronavirus Resources
Telepsychiatry and COVID-19
APA Advises on Mental Health Care Delivery Resources During This Crisis
Practice Guidance for COVID-19
APA - New CMS changes to Billing for Audio Only - Retroactive to March 1, 2020 - Updated 5.11.20

COVID-19 resources developed by the APA over the past several months
Guidance Document: Electroconvulsive Therapy as an Essential Procedure
Guidance Document: Use of Long-acting Injectables as a Clinically Necessary Treatment
Guidance Document: Considerations for Healthcare Workers and Staff Exposed to COVID-19 Death and Dying
Guidance Document: Considerations for Family and Other Personal Losses Due to COVID-19-Related Death
Guidance Document: Psychiatrists Returning to Clinical Service
Guidance Document: COVID-19 and Impact on Incarcerated Persons Living with Mental Illness
Guidance Document: Moral Injury During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Support for Permanent Expansion of Telehealth Regulations After COVID-19

American Psychoanalytic Society

APsaA’s COVID resources
Email your questions for the Covid-19 Task Force: [email protected]
COVID-19 Broadcast-only list, open to any interested psychotherapist. [email protected] (send a blank email to sign up)

Board of Registration in Medicine - Licensing

Important Information Regarding Physician Licensure during the State of Emergency

Continuing Medical Education (CME). This interim policy waives the continuing medical education (CME) requirement for licenses which are due for renewal on April 2, 2020 through and including Dec. 31, 2020. The full text of the policy may be found here

Order Extending the Registrations of Certain Licensed Health Care Professionals

Center for Disease Control

COVID-19 Page/Resources
CDC Advises on Stress Management
CDC Speaks on Evidence Based Communication Strategies in Times of a Disaster
CDC Guidance for Group Living Environments

CMS – Medicare

As information about billing is frequently changing, we encourage MPS members to contact the APA link above directly with questions.

Medicare Telemedicine Health Care Fact Sheet 3.17.2020
COVID-19 CMS Expands Telehealth Press Release Final 3.17.20
COVID19 Telehealth Waiver FAQ Final 3.17.20
COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Blanket Waivers for Health Care Providers including telehealth 4.30.20
APA - New CMS changes to Billing for Audio Only - Retroactive to March 1, 2020 - Updated 5.11.20
Telehealth Frequently Asked Questions 4.2.20

DEA

COVID-19 Information Page

Division of Insurance

March 16, 2020 – Emergency measures to address and stop the spread of COVID-19 (telehealth)
March 16, 2020 – Addressing COVID-19 Treatment and Testing
April, 30, 2020 - Relaxing Certain Health Plan Administrative Procedures including Prior Authorizations During the COVID-19 Health Emergency
June 25, 2020 - Bulletin 2020-21 – Continued Relaxation of Prior Authorization Procedures in Response to the COVID-19 Health Emergency

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Hand sanitizers and COVID-19
Diagnostic testing for SARS-CoV-2
Medical gloves
Surgical mask and gown shortage
Ventilators
Food safety and COVID-19
Face masks and surgical masks

From the Attorney General

From the Governor

COVID-19 ESSENTIAL SERVICES
Health and Human Services Reopening Approach May 18, 2020
Reopening Massachusetts - May 18, 2020
Executive Order-essential services order extension (May 4-May 18, 2020)
EXHIBIT A OF THE ORDER OF THE GOVERNOR ASSURING CONTINUED OPERATION OF ESSENTIAL SERVICES IN THE COMMONWEALTH, CLOSING CERTAIN WORKPLACES AND PROHIBITING GATHERINGS OF MORE THAN 10 PEOPLE - March 23, 2020-April 7, 2020
Executive Order 3-31-2020 – essential services order extension April 7-May 4, 2020
Executive Order 3-17-2020 – extending the registration of certain licensed health care providers allowing telehealth practice
Executive Order 3-17-2020 – expanding access to physician services expanding physician licensing
Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund

Insurance Provider information

As information about billing is frequently changing, we encourage MPS members to contact plans directly with questions.

Contact list for all major health plans http://www.massmed.org/Patient-Care/COVID-19/MAHP-Chart-COVID-19-Provider-Communications/  
MA Association of Health Plans, Q/A about Covid-related billing.  http://www.massmed.org/Patient-Care/COVID-19/MMS-MHA-Questions-for-MAHP/

Beacon
Beacon Broadcast – March 16, 2020 - Billing for Covered Services Delivered via Telehealth
Beacon Provider Update – March 20, 2020 – Update to Providers Increasing Members’ Access to Telehealth
Beacon Provider Resources

Blue Cross Blue Shield – Covid-19 Information for Providers
BlueCross BlueShield
BCBS Telemedicine Payment Policy Medical

Harvard Pilgrim
Optum
Tufts
UnitedHealthcare

Updated Massachusetts health plans coverage policies
The Massachusetts Medical Society is working closely with health plan leadership, state officials, and partners within the health care system to address local needs resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak. For an updated summary of MA health plan coverage policies, please click here.

Licensure/Interstate Practice during the COVID-19 State of Emergency

The Federation of State Medical Boards has issued updates on individual states’ requirements for telehealth. Click here to see the most recent version. Unfortunately each state has adopted different requirements for out-of-state licensed physicians to treat patients in their state. In the upcoming MPS Sept. newsletter, our MPS Counsel, Jim Hilliard will be discussing not only the issues involved with practicing tele-psychiatry in other states within the new rules of each state but also several collateral issues that must be considered, such as malpractice coverage, being aware of other states’ standards of care (duty to warn, child abuse reporting to name a few), and also the necessity at times, to have a “back-up” psychiatrist or therapist in the event of an emergency. Questions such as these can be referred to Jim Hilliard as part of your member benefit of two hours of consultation with Mr. Hilliard which can be initiated at this number (617) 610-5557.

Modified Licensing requirements for Covid-19 in the US States and Territories
Order Extending the Registrations of Certain Licensed Health Care Professionals
Feds OK Interstate Licensing, Paving Way for Telehealth Expansion
Summary of Gov order from APA regional

MA Department of Mental Health

DMH #20-03 Admission and Treatment of Patients with COVID-19 5/1/20
DMH #20-04 COVID-19 PANDEMIC GUIDANCE Admission and EPIA to support movement of pts needing inpt admission out of EDs 5/20/20
DMH #20-05 directives regarding infection control mgmt. of covid 19 in licensed facilities 5/21/20
        DMH bulletin #20-05 - COVID-19 Infection Control and Other Requirements in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
        DMH bulletin #20-05 - COVID-19 Tier 1
        DMH bulletin #20-05- COVID-19 Tier 2
        DMH bulletin #20-05 - COVID-19 Infection Control and Other Requirements in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic Attestation

MA Department of Public Health

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-updates-and-information
Crisis Standards of Care Planning Guidance for the COVID-19 Pandemic April 7, 2020
Guidance for Group Living Environments was issued by MA DPH - 4.12.20

Massachusetts Medical Society

Tips for Expanding Practice During COVID-19 - May 2020
COVID-19 website and resources including telehealth
COVID-19 Insurance Billing Guidelines for Telehealth Service
MAResponds.org Health Care Professional Volunteers at https://www.mass.gov/health-services-covid-19-volunteer-form
The MMS has just launched a new resource page dedicated to  Mindfulness & Compassion in the Time of COVID-19: Tools to Stay Steady and Calm.  http://www.massmed.org/mindfulness/. Physicians can self-claim AMA PRA Category 2 Credit(tm) if they wish.
Payer update: Massachusetts health plans coverage policies (updated). The Massachusetts Medical Society is working closely with health plan leadership, state officials, and partners within the health care system to address local needs resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak. 
Telemedicine Vendor Options

Updated Massachusetts health plans coverage policies. 
The Massachusetts Medical Society is working closely with health plan leadership, state officials, and partners within the health care system to address local needs resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak. For an updated summary of MA health plan coverage policies, please click here.

MassHealth

Provider Resource: Telephone and Internet Connectivity for Telehealth - April 2, 2020
MassHealth Telehealth Network Provider Bulletin 1 - April 2020
Provider Participation Requirements, Covered Encounters and Other Information
MassHealth FAQs for Behavioral Health
MassHealth Bulletin 289 – March 2020
Massachusetts Network of Care
MassHealth Bulletin 291 - MassHealth Coverage and Reimbursement Policy for Services Related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) - March 2020
MassHealth Bulletin 293 - Flexibilities for Substance Use Disorder Treatment Services During COVID-19 State of Emergency
MassHealth Bulletin 294 - MassHealth Coverage Flexibilities for Services Related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 - May 2020
Food assistance handout (in English and Spanish) which provides information about available resources. English version / Spanish version
You can find accessible versions for this handout here (English) and here (Spanish).
Provider-facing guide (in English and Spanish) to help you better understand how to identify patients who need food assistance and the resources available to help them. English version / Spanish version
You can find accessible versions for this guide here (English) and here (Spanish)

MPS Disaster Committee Resources

Stoddard - Holzman - MPS Covid_19 Town Meeting
Stoddard - Covid-19
Handout - Managing Stress Associated with the COVID-19 Virus Outbreak
Handout - Managing Healthcare Workers’ Stress Associated with the COVID-19 Virus Outbreak
Handout - For Providers and Community Leaders - Helping People Manage Stress Associated with the COVID-19 Virus Outbreak
Handout - First Responders-Mental Health Consequences of Natural and Human-Made Disasters for Public Health and Public Safety Workers
Mental Health of Communities during the COVID-19 Pandemic

These resources intended to assist psychiatrists and the public in responding to COVID-19.
MPS will continue to update this page with resources developed by both MPS and other organizations.
Links to resources shared by other organizations are not intended to imply an endorsement of the organization.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Outpatient PPE Guidance for Health Care Personnel and Patient Interactions
Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
Tips for Expanding Practice During COVID-19 - May 2020

Restarting In Person Visits

Phase three reopening power point
Phase two re opening power point
Phase Two reopening one pager
DPH Attestation form
PPE resources
MMS Tips for Expanding Practices
Protecting the Safety and Wellbeing of Patients, Clinicians and Staff during COVID-19

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

https://www.samhsa.gov

Risk Management Resources

American Professional Agency, Inc. (APA, Inc)
Telehealth & COVID-19 Resources

Professional Risk Management Services (PRMS)
COVID 19 bulletins

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

https://www.samhsa.gov

Telehealth

Patient Telehealth Consent Form
Medicare Telehealth Code List for CY 2019 and 2020
HIPAA and telehealth
Telepsychiatry and COVID-19
Medicare Telemedicine Health Care Fact Sheet 03.17.2020
COVID-19 CMS Expands Telehealth Press Release Final 3.17.20
COVID19 Telehealth Waiver FAQ Final 3.17.20
COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Blanket Waivers for Health Care Providers including telehealth 4.30.20
March 16, 2020 – Emergency measures to address and stop the spread of COVID-19 (telehealth)
Executive Order 3-17-2020 – extending the registration of certain licensed health care providers allowing telehealth practice
Provider Resource: Telephone and Internet Connectivity for Telehealth - April 2, 2020
MassHealth Telehealth Network Provider Bulletin 1 - April 2020
COVID-19 website and resources including telehealth
COVID-19 Insurance Billing Guidelines for Telehealth Service
American Professional Agency, Inc. (APA, Inc) Telehealth & COVID-19 Resources
Telehealth Frequently Asked Questions 4.2.20
APA - New CMS changes to Billing for Audio Only - Retroactive to March 1, 2020 - Updated 5.11.20
Telehealth Use among Psychiatrist Members of the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society
Telemedicine Vendor Options
PPRC Telemedicine Vendor Options

Vaccinations

Online Currently