Standing together against COVID-19

265 Church Street, 14th Floor

New Haven, CT 06510

Phone: 203-687-4422

Fax: 475-202-6844

www.communitymedgroup.org

This edition is packed with very important information and resources. Please read through it carefully.

Dear CMG Members,

Essential updates for 1.14.21:

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

Updates from the DPH:

Connecticut has transitioned to Phase 1b in the state-wide COVID-19 vaccine roll-out. The amount of vaccine provided by the federal government is limited, and it will take time for all individuals in Phase 1b to receive the vaccine. The DPH continues to enroll providers and staff and expects that access to appointments will grow, particularly for priority populations, as the federal government's supply increases in the coming weeks.

Vaccine access is phased in for the following groups in Phase 1b:

Currently Scheduling:

Individuals 75 years of and older

Individuals 75 and older can schedule through a provider ready for public distribution of vaccine to eligible residents, online through the Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS), or on the phone by calling the CT COVID Vaccine Appointment Assist Line. Click here for details on all of these options.

Scheduling Soon:

Front line essential workers (view additional information here)
Individuals between the ages of 65 and 74
Individuals between the ages of 16 and 64 with comorbidities
Individuals and staff in congregate settings (view additional information here)

For more information, visit the CT Vaccination Portal.

NGS has a COVID-19 Vaccine and Monoclonal Antibody webpage available. In addition to important resources, the Medicare Part B Billing for the COVID-19 Vaccine and Monoclonal Antibody article provides information about billing and submitting claims, associated COVID-19 vaccine codes and effective dates, payment allowances, and dosing intervals, and provider eligibility information. Visit the website here.

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Renews Public Health Emergency

HHS has renewed the COVID-19 public health emergency, extending key regulatory flexibilities such as Medicare telehealth reimbursement and higher rates for COVID-19 hospitalizations through April. The 90-day extension of the public health emergency is effective January 21, 2021. Read more information here.

Vaccine Administrator Volunteer/ Paid Opportunities

The DPH is interested in gathering information regarding individuals who are interested in volunteer or paid opportunities to expand their workforce and participate in mass vaccination efforts.

If you are interested in participating in these opportunities, please respond to the survey at the link below by January 15, 2021, to assist in determining how many individuals are interested in administering COVID 19 vaccinations during mass vaccination events.

Here is a link to the survey:

https://keysurvey.ynhh.org/f/41544000/1058/

United Healthcare: National Public Health Emergency Temporary Provisions Extended

Temporary cost-share waivers for testing and testing-related visits extended in accordance with the national public health emergency period.

Click here for an overview of how the extension affects temporary provisions for COVID-19 testing and testing-related visits, as well as a summary of the other temporary provisions currently in place for COVID-19 treatment and skilled nursing facility (SNF) prior authorizations.

Telemedicine

(Note: This excel sheet is a large file and updated regularly. It may be helpful to download and save the file to your desktop for quick access.)

Please review our updated excel sheet carefully with telemedicine billing codes and coverage guidelines.

If you have any questions or need clarification on telemedicine policies, please reach out to:

Marty Russo, CMC/CRC
Jennifer Bresson, CPC/CRC
Ina King, Provider Advocate

*This document was last updated on January 14, 2021.

Weekly CDC and DPH Update

Please see today's summary from the CDC and DPH here.

Information you may have missed:

Interesting + Important Reads

Check out these interesting articles from PatientCare, Mayo Clinic, and the Advisory Board.

Pfizer & Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines: Side-by-side Comparison. This article compares the efficacy, dosage amount, side-effect profile, safety in pregnancy and lactation, storage requirements, the durability of protection, and minimum purchase order for both vaccines.

COVID-19 variants: What's the concern? Click the article link to find out more information on the two COVID variant strains identified and how this impacts what we already know.

How much is asymptomatic spread driving Covid-19? Here's what the evidence says. Nearly 60% of all new coronavirus cases may come from people who carry the virus but who exhibit no symptoms of Covid-19, according to a new CDC model—findings experts say are even more concerning in light of a new, more contagious variant of the virus that's emerged. Read more of the research by clicking the article link.

COVID-Testing Update

Attached is a summary of various locations for COVID testing across the state. Some require a provider order and others do not.

Click here to view available COVID Testing Sites in Connecticut.

*This document was last updated on December 31, 2020.

COVID-19 resources and links

Easy access to the websites you need the most during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Stay safe. Be well. God bless.

Best,

Joseph L. Quaranta, MD

President, Community Medical Group