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Andy Leeka Named Chief Executive Director of COVID Emergency Response Hospital in Downtown L.A.
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Andy Leeka has been appointed Chief Executive Director of the COVID Emergency Response Hospital, located in the L.A. Convention Center in downtown Los Angeles. Andy says this is a critical preparedness strategy to decompress acute care hospitals during the expected surge of COVID-19 patients in the weeks ahead. He shared last week that 250 beds had been arranged in the South Hall with personal supplies. (Andy Leeka, Los Angeles)
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Axene Health Partners Captures MDs' & Actuaries' Perspectives Regarding Coronavirus
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Regarding the COVID-19 crisis, Axene Health Partners (AHP) has written several articles capturing the perspectives of MDs and some of the leading actuaries in the healthcare field. They include: Healthcare Contingency Reserves: Expanding Beyond Financial Resources to include Physical Resources; Pandemic Reserves; Coronavirus: A Case for Care Management; and more. View all of Axene's current and future coronavirus-related articles on its Inspire blog. (John Price, Bay Area)
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Blue Shield of California Offers Digital Hospital Triage Tool
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Blue Shield of California is offering its network hospitals a new digital tool - the COVID-19 Screener and Emergency Response Assistant (COVID-19 SERA), which patients can access via Internet-connected smartphone, tablet, or computer on a participating hospital's website. It can be customized for each health system's emergency response plan, and is updated in real-time with latest guidelines from the CDC and WHO. Patients will answer a few basic questions, and based on their reply, would be directed to the appropriate medical settings for their health situation. The COVID-19 SERA service can be implemented on a hospital's website within 48 hours. (Greg Buchert, MD, Orange County)
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CareAcademy Presenting COVID-19 Roundtables for Home Care Agencies
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Choice in Aging Debuts Facebook Live Series
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Choice in Aging (CiA) has launched a weekly Facebook Live series, hosted by CEO Debbie Toth, on Wednesdays at 1 p.m., to discuss changes, happenings, and resources available right now. Watch the April 1 session: Redefining Our Model During COVID-19. And watch future sessions at facebook.com/ChoiceinAging.
CiA shares that they are "still open and operational, though in a way that prevents [virus] spread and still meets needs. . . providing support telephonically, electronically, on porches (delivery services), and in homes (where medically necessary). . . ensuring that the frail adults and elders we serve have what they need to remain living safely." (Debbie Toth, Bay Area)
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Cigna Announces Numerous Actions to Enable COVID-19 Treatment
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Recent announcements from Cigna include waiving customer cost-sharing and co-payments for COVID-19 treatment through May 31, 2020, as well as deploying hundreds of on-staff clinicians to join the team of healthcare professionals at telehealth company MDLIVE, to provide virtual healthcare in addition to Cigna's onsite care. Cigna is also partnering with Buoy Health, an artificial intelligence-powered navigation platform, to provide a free, web-based interactive triage tool that assesses COVID-19 risk, available at myCigna.com and myCigna mobile apps.
Meanwhile, Cigna has waived prior authorizations for the transfer of its non-COVID-19 customers from acute inpatient hospitals to in-network LTACHs. These latest measures are an expansion of Cigna's previous efforts to protect customers, providers, and communities against COVID-19; those actions are listed here. (Chris De Rosa, Orange County)
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Covered California Analyzes Pandemic's Cost to Millions of Americans with Employer or Individual Insurance Coverage
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Covered California has released the first national projection of healthcare costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Its analysis estimates the projected costs for 170 million Americans in the commercial market - which includes individual, small- and large-group markets - for testing, treatment, and care specifically related to COVID-19 ranges from a low of $34 billion to $251+ billion in the first year of the pandemic. Read CoveredCA's release. (Kathy Keeshen, JD, Bay Area)
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El Camino & Conversa Scale Partnership Improving Respiratory Care Coordination
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Following a successful pilot, El Camino Health's nationally renowned pulmonary health department is offering Conversa Health's personalized virtual health assistant technology to patients as 2 BREATHE Chat. 2 BREATHE enables patients with COPD, asthma, and other respiratory illnesses to be monitored remotely by their care team. 2 BREATHE Chat regularly "checks in" with patients to collect meaningful health data in real-time. In the pilot, patient readmissions were significantly reduced and when patients were readmitted, issues were caught much earlier than usual, therefore improving overall patient outcomes. (Cecile Currier, Silicon Valley)
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Elemeno's Digital App Utilized by UCSF & Sonoma Valley Emergency Departments
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In Keeping Patients and Frontline Medical Staff Safe in SF Bay Area, Elemeno Health describes how Sonoma Valley Hospital recently went live with Elemeno's digital app in less than 12 hours, following UCSF's lead. ED staff are using the Elemeno app to quickly access coronavirus information on: screening safely and preventing the spread of infection; managing patients with potential COVID-19 infections; quickly reporting suspected cases to health agencies; protective gear requirements; how-to videos (eg, how to put on and take off protective gear); how to protect other patients and staff and alleviate anxiety; shared UCSF COVID-19 practices; selected CDC and regional resources; and more.
Meanwhile, ZDoggMD recently interviewed Elemeno CEO Arup Roy-Burman, MD, about "preparing our caregivers for COVID-19." (Arup Roy-Burman, MD, Bay Area)
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Elevate Addiction Services Takes Program Virtual & Opens Outpatient Program in South Tahoe
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Due to the social distancing and shelter-in-place requirements in effect throughout most of the U.S., Elevate Addiction Services is currently offering its outpatient programs virtually. Meanwhile, Elevate recently opened another new outpatient program in South Lake Tahoe, in recognition that not everyone is able to dedicate the time to participate in a long-term, inpatient treatment program. Elevate's new program includes individualized educational curricula from its copyrighted residential track and offers flexible scheduling. (Dan Manson, Silicon Valley)
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Health Coach Institute Provides Coronavirus Support & Resources
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Health Coach Institute (HCI) is offering a free two-part "Overcoming Fear & Anxiety" Coaching Masterclass: Part 1 and Part 2, where you'll learn 10 techniques for turning fear and anxiety into empowerment and action.
Also, HCI's Coronavirus Support and Resource Guide provides links to live daily coaching, centering affirmations, coaching resources, boosting immunity, working from home, mindset and mental resilience, adopting health habits, stress/anxiety management, staying active, mindfulness/meditation, eating nutritiously, all things parenting, self care, and more. (Eric Neuner, Bay Area)
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Inglewood Imaging Center Continues Services & CEO Recommends Business Banker for "Covid Capital"
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Inglewood Imaging Center (IIC) remains open, with a full slate of radiology, including PET/CT, MRI, CT, and X-ray. Given the current pandemic, there are some internal changes, including: Comprehensive staff safety (gloves, masks, extra screening, etc.); no intake of Covid-symptom patients; deep cleaning equipment after each exam; "quarantining" of on-site radiologist; isolating cancer patients for added safety on PET/CT exams; only Echo Ultrasounds and some screening mammograms will be scheduled for a later date.
Meanwhile, IIC CEO Brad Schmidt recommends John Han of First Citizens Bank's (FCB) "COVID-19-related banking programs," including programs that could potentially lead to a refinance, skip or bridge loans for "Covid Capital." John and his team have specialized in serving the medical and healthcare community for decades (including IIC). John Han's contact information. (Brad Schmidt, Los Angeles)
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King & Spalding to Host Webinar on Security & COVID-19 + Addresses Company Boards
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On April 8, at 9 a.m. Pacific, King & Spalding (K&S) will present a webinar - Be Prepared: COVID-19 Security Incidents are Coming - which will brief companies on the latest cyber-based threats affiliated with the COVID-19 crisis, pressing cyber incident response issues, and provide best practices to prepare for, monitor, detect, and respond to data security incidents during this unique time.
And, K&S published a client alert - Goals for Boards in the COVID-19 Era - which provides suggestions for public company directors to consider to help their companies navigate this moment.
Meanwhile, Partner Marcia Augsburger recently participated in a K&S webinar - Impact of CMS's Section 1135 Waiver on Hospital Operations and Reimbursement During the Coronavirus Pandemic - which is available to replay by clicking the title. (Marcia Augsburger, JD, Bay Area, & Travis Jackson, JD)
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KMD Architects Participates in Increased Inpatient Capacity at UCSF Mount Zion
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KMD Architects shared that it "is humbled to have played a role in assisting UCSF to reopen the Mt. Zion Campus and create additional inpatient and critical care capacity." UCSF Health recently announced that it is preparing to open 46 inpatient acute care beds and seven ICU beds at its Mount Zion medical campus to help meet the anticipated surge in demand across the health system due to COVID-19. The effort to activate these additional beds is well underway, including preparing the building, procuring equipment, and preparing staffing and workflows, with a target activation date of May 1. (Rob Matthew, Bay Area)
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LigoLab Launches Interface & Workflow Support for High-Volume COVID-19 Testing in Clinical Labs Nationwide
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LigoLab Information System is providing fully integrated and automated LIS support for client laboratories in California, Washington, and New York that are using FDA-approved instruments to perform high-volume COVID-19 tests. LigoLab LIS & RCM Operating Platform has successfully integrated with instruments from Roche, Thermo Fisher Scientific, QIAGEN, Bio-Rad, and Hologic. LigoLab completed its system enhancements and validation for COVID-19 testing just days after the FDA started approving the instruments, and has already deployed the solution in multiple high-volume labs. CEO Suren Avunjian said LigoLab will deploy its LIS capabilities at no cost for any laboratory that will perform the COVID-19 test to help increase turn-around times and patient safety.
Additionally, patients will soon be able to order the COVID-19 test online through a LigoLab partnership with TestDirectly, a digital health company that specializes in direct-to-consumer clinical testing. Meanwhile, Suren has been invited to join a coalition called StaySafe, fighting COVID-19 on a national scale. (Suren Avunjian, Los Angeles)
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MedWand Files for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA); Highlighted in USA Today
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MedWand Solutions was highlighted in USA Today's recent article - Coronavirus: The role of tech from telemedicine to Star Trek-like devices, which reports that the MedWand device, just slightly larger than a computer mouse, contains 10 medical-grade diagnostic tools and a powerful HD camera, all allowing a physician to examine a patient virtually, no matter where they are in the world. It can listen to the heart and lungs, measure respiratory rates and blood oxygen levels, take a temperature, scan skin, and even peer at tonsils. All of this information gets sent in real time to the doctor who watches, listens, and interacts through a secure video portal on their computer. MedWand's FDA EUA would allow them to get these devices into the right hands, right away. Meanwhile, the MedWand team is assembling "quarantine kits" that include the MedWand in its antimicrobial casing, along with UV sanitizers, glucometers, and blood pressure kits. (Bob Rose, Orange County Healthcare)
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Nelson Hardiman on COVID-19 Impact on Contracts, Privacy and Reliability of Data
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Partner Harry Nelson of Nelson Hardiman (NH) was recently interviewed on Gurvey's Law to discuss HIPAA and privacy issues during COVID-19. From the interview: Kerri Kasem: What do you think in this case, with COVID-19 and somebody saying, "I don't want to tell anybody." Harry Nelson: A week and a half ago, CMS, the branch of the government responsible for enforcing HIPAA, basically announced a waiver and said to every healthcare provider in the country: "We are NOT enforcing any penalties whatsoever for violating HIPAA as long as you are acting in 'good faith'." . . .This is a historic event, where literally the federal government has said, "Doctors, you are relieved from HIPAA liability."
Meanwhile, NH published a client alert: Maximize Your Cashflow During COVID-19: Four Things You Can Do Right Now. (Harry Nelson, JD, Los Angeles)
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OneLegacy Issues Guidelines for Organ, Eye & Tissue Donation in Response to Coronavirus
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OneLegacy has shared that CMS recently issued a guideline that identifies transplantation as a "Tier 3, High Acuity Surgery, Do Not Postpone" procedure. Continuing this lifesaving work has required modifications to practices to prevent contagion and to ensure the health and safety of recipients, family members, and healthcare staff. CEO Tom Mone says that these changes will continue to evolve, but currently include:
>> Any donor or patient with confirmed COVID-19 is not a candidate for donation.
>> All potential organ donors are being tested for the virus via the nasal swab PCR testing technique.
>> The travel history of all potential donors is evaluated to identify those who may be at higher risk of exposure. This information is included in the organ offer information provided to transplant teams who determine whether to accept an organ for transplant. Advice from a Transplant Infectious Disease physician is recommended on a case-by-case basis. (Tom Mone, Los Angeles)
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RE Pharmacy Mitigates Virus Exposure Through Early Diversion and Infusion Therapy
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As healthcare facilities become increasingly occupied with patients during this coronavirus pandemic, the probability of virus transmission has also increased - patient to patient and to doctors and other healthcare professionals. In order to combat this phenomenon in hospitals and urgent cares, RE Pharmacy has introduced their Patient Early Diversion Program to help offload the responsibility and vulnerability placed upon the healthcare professionals. This program transitions patients from potentially hazardous facilities to an RE Pharmacy Infusion Center or the comfort and privacy of their home. Under the care and guidance of nursing professionals, these settings remain as safe as possible. Additionally, doctors and nurses are able to monitor the treatment of their patients remotely through the use of RE Pharmacy's HIPAA-compliant telemedicine solutions. (Tom Leffler, Orange County)
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SAVI Group Reports on New Medical Coding Released for COVID-19
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In New Medical Coding Released for COVID-19, SAVI Group reports that CMS has created a secondary Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) code, that can be used by clinical laboratories to bill for testing and diagnostics related to the outbreak of COVID-19 and hopefully keep track of new cases. The new HCPCS code (U0001) is used specifically for CDC testing labs to test patients for SARS-COV-2. CMS also introduced another HCPCS billing code (Uooo2) that makes it possible for laboratories to bill for non-CDC laboratory tests for SARS-CoV-2/2019-nCoV (COVID-19). This code may be used for tests developed by these additional laboratories when submitting claims to Medicare or health insurers. By creating these specific codes, CMS hopes to encourage testing and improve tracking. (Sumit Mahendru, Orange County)
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Wipfli Can Provide Assistance with Paycheck Protection Program Loans
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Wipfli announced that its experienced team can quickly determine your eligibility for a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program, which authorizes up to $349 billion in forgivable loans for small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. If you meet the requirements, Wipfli can complete the loan application on your behalf as an authorized agent, with fees paid by the Small Business Administration. More information.
Meanwhile, recent articles, insights, and webinars from Wipfli include:
>> Telehealth, HIPAA and COVID-19: What you need to know (Read it here)
>> COVID-19 financial guide for hospitals (Access it here)
>> Managing change through crisis: Introducing the Unanticipated Change Response guide (Watch webinar replay)
(Jeff Johnson and Steve Rousso, Bay Area; Tony Taddey, L.A.; Larry Blitz, Silicon Valley)
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