December 2, 2020

All residents of Mississippi should avoid any social gathering that includes individuals outside of the nuclear family or household. MSDH recommends that Mississippians only participate in work, school, or other absolutely essential activities.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued an interim final rule establishing vaccine-related coverage provisions for Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP and private insurance. The new interim final rule, published Nov. 6 in the Federal Register, states that providers can receive free vaccines from the federal government but will be prohibited from charging consumers for the administration. Under Medicare there would be no cost-sharing for COVID-19 vaccines. For individuals without health coverage, providers can be reimbursed through HRSA’s COVID-19 Claims Reimbursement Program. NACHC believes vaccine administration requirements could present costs to health centers and that state Maintenance of Effort requirements could adversely impact FQHC reimbursements and will be submitting comments. NACHC has written this memo in response to the rule. CMS issued toolkits aimed at State Medicaid Agencies, providers who will administer the vaccine, and health insurance plans. The deadline for comments on the rule is Jan. 4, 2021. For program Instruction click here. 

Health Centers who utilized the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and have loans exceeding $2 million should wait to apply for loan forgiveness. Per the Small Business Administration, you are required to do so. (See SBA instructions here.) NACHC recommends waiting in order to see how the SBA responds to public comments about the definition of “loan necessity” and whether Congress will get involved. Health centers are reminded they will have through at least the summer of 2021 to apply for forgiveness without paying any interest on their PPP loan. See NACHC’s letter to health centers here and their letter to the SBA here.

All Mississippi CHCs continue with COVID-19 testing at open clinic locations, and some continue to offer testing at locations in the community with drive-thru events.

Link to flyer.

The Mississippi State Department of Health has information available to those who plan to provide the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available. Visit the health department site here.

On Nov. 10, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that Medicare beneficiaries can now receive coverage of monoclonal antibodies to treat COVID-19 with no cost-sharing during the public health emergency (PHE). CMS’ coverage of monoclonal antibody infusions applies to Bamlanivimab, which received an emergency use authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Nov. 9. CMS anticipates that this monoclonal antibody product will initially be given to healthcare providers at no charge. Additionally, the monoclonal antibody infusion is expected to be covered when furnished to Medicaid beneficiaries, in accordance with the EUA, during this period, with limited exceptions. To view the Monoclonal Antibody COVID-19 Infusion Program Instruction click here. 

To access the CHCAMS COVID-19 Clearinghouse, please email Kathryn Rodenmeyer for the link.

New Dental Codes Reimbursement Procedures

The public notice can be viewed via this link.

Please email mamorris@chcams.org for additional information.