Even though Massachusetts clearly has been a “hot spot” for COVID-19, the state is next to last in the amount of per-case funding it is receiving from the federal government to fight the pandemic.
  
The funding formulas that U.S. Health & Human Services has used to distribute the money – as well as the early cutoff dates the government used to assess the number of COVID-19 cases in a state – has meant that the commonwealth’s large surge in cases was not counted fully. Less money flowed to the state at a time when it is needed most.
  
Based on the funding allocated from the Round 1 and Round 2 of the Provider Relief Fund, as well as the recent COVID-19 High Impact and Rural Healthcare Provider allocations, divided by the number of COVID-19 cases in each state, the commonwealth has the second lowest federal hospital relief funding per COVID-19 case in the nation. Rhode Island is the lowest. The estimated amount distributed to Massachusetts hospitals per COVID-19 case as of May 3 was $15,730, compared to, say, the $617,000 per-case amount given to Montana hospitals.
  
U.S. HHS’ shortcomings have caught the attention of the state’s congressional delegation. Last Thursday, Massachusetts Representative Richard Neal (D), the chair of the U.S. House Ways & Means Committee, joined with Energy & Commerce Chair Frank Pallone, Jr., (D-N.J.) to write this letter criticizing HHS’ efforts to date.
  
“The Administration’s efforts to establish the Provider Relief Fund to date have been at best, a series of missteps, and at worst, a disregard of Congress’ intent for the program,” Neal and Pallone wrote. “… As demonstrated by the Administration’s inability to capture all provider types and to target funding to those who are most in need of assistance, formula-based distribution mechanisms are insufficient to address the crisis in our healthcare system. Moreover, such a distribution mechanism runs counter to Congressional intent and to the program language signed into law, which requires funds to be distributed through an application-based process to reimburse for specific COVID-related expenses and lost revenue.”

MHA is supporting an effort from the Office of Attorney General Maura Healey to help survivors of domestic abuse during the COVID-19 crisis. The AGO has created flyers in five languages that essential businesses – including healthcare organizations – can post to share domestic violence resources with those passing through their facilities. “During times of crisis and especially now as people are staying home, we know that survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault are particularly vulnerable,” Healey said. “I want survivors and victims to know that they’re not alone and that help is available at any time during the COVID-19 crisis. We will continue working with service providers, advocates, and businesses across the state to ensure that these survivors have access to the critical support they need.” Patricia Noga, R.N., MHA’s VP of Clinical Affairs, said, “We want to make sure that survivors of domestic violence or other abuse have access to assistance during this difficult time.” Learn more and download the flyers here.

 

The Health Policy Commission (HPC) has released a white paper calling for the expansion of the scope of practice (SOP) for nurse practitioners (NPs). HPC wrote, “A growing body of research has found adverse effects (and no positive effects) of SOP restrictions, generally concluding that they are not evidence-based and limit the capacity of the health care system to fully respond to the needs of the population it serves.” The HPC also called for the elimination of “incident to” billing. Insurers pay less for NP care as opposed to physician care. While some NPs bill directly to insurers, Medicare also allows the NP care to be termed “incident to” physician care and billed at a higher rate. 

The race is on around the globe to develop a vaccine to counter COVID-19. Much of the work is occurring in Massachusetts. For example, Pfizer Inc. announced last week that the first participants have been dosed in the U.S. in the Phase 1/2 clinical trial for the BNT162 vaccine program to prevent COVID-19. The trial is part of a global development program, and the dosing of the first cohort in Germany was completed two weeks ago. In anticipation of the vaccine, Pfizer is scaling up its manufacturing facilities, including one in Andover, Mass. And last Thursday, Cambridge-based Moderna announced that the FDA had okayed its plan to proceed to a Phase 2 clinical trial involving about 600 people.
 
Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Massachusetts General Hospital last week announced progress towards the testing and development of an experimental vaccine called AAVCOVID to fight COVID-19. The AAVCOVID vaccine program was developed in the laboratory of Luk H. Vandenberghe, PhD, at Mass. Eye and Ear. Mason Freeman, M.D., at MGH is leading the efforts to develop the clinical studies intended to establish safety and efficacy of the experimental vaccine.

Register Today: Emergency Department Telemedicine Reimbursement COVID-19 Update

Tuesday, May 12; 12 - 12:30 p.m.

 

The COVID-19 crisis has forced hospitals to create new ways to deliver patient care, especially in the ED. The burgeoning telemedicine industry has expanded significantly as hospitals and physicians have used telemedicine to carry out social distancing and increase access to care. Government and private regulations have been rewritten completely to support this expansion. This rapid evolution has helped to keep patients and providers safe while preserving the supply of personal protective equipment. Attend this webinar to learn the latest telemedicine adaptations in the ED and understand how to ensure compliant reimbursement and best practices to ensure your hospital’s success and survival. Click here to register.
  
Please look here for more information on upcoming COVID-19 related webinars, plus recordings of past webinars.