MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT


Role of ASCs in the Fight Against COVID-19 T


he COVID-19 battle rages on as the nation and its healthcare system struggle to get ahead of the pandemic.


In March, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema


Verma announced sweeping regulatory changes to address the surge that is expected due to the pandemic. Under the “hospitals without walls” program, “hospitals will be able to transfer patients to outside facilities, such as ambulatory surgery centers, inpatient rehabilitation hospi- tals, hotels, and dormitories, while still receiving hospital payments under Medicare. Ambula- tory surgery centers can contract with local healthcare systems to provide hospital services, or they can enroll and bill as hospitals during the emergency declaration as long as they are not inconsistent with their State’s Emergency Preparedness or Pandemic Plan.” ASCs that choose to enroll to receive temporary billing privileges as a hospital should call the COVID-19 Provider Enrollment Hotline to reach the contractor that serves their jurisdiction and complete and sign an attestation form specific to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). CMS also issued new recommendations to mitigate transmission of the coronavirus, includ- ing screening, restricting visitors, cleaning and disinfection and possible closures. Many ASCA members have asked what will happen if they close temporarily during the pan-


demic. According to this announcement, “CMS will not take administrative actions with respect to facilities who need to temporarily close during the outbreak, however, facilities are expected to resume operations or voluntarily terminate their Medicare enrollment within 30 days of the public health emergency being lifted.” Also in March, President Trump signed H.R. 748, the third package of legislation to provide relief and support in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. ASCA recommends that ASCs con- tact their business partners who assist with tax and lending issues to discuss how the options created by this legislation might apply to an individual ASC. The full text of the legislation is available on the ASCA website. Under the new law, ASCs can attempt to access three possible sources of financial assistance:


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about $350 billion in loans for small businesses designed to provide stability in light of the uncertain economic conditions caused by COVID-19; the maximum loan amount would be increased to $10 million; and loans would be forgivable if certain conditions are met;


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about $450 billion in loans, loan guarantees and other investments for businesses; these funds flow through the Federal Reserve and are different than the direct loans from the Treasury Department that airlines can access;


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$100 billion reserved for healthcare providers to make up lost revenue or support addi- tional costs that are attributable to the coronavirus; this fund will be administered by the US Department of Health and Human Services subject to guidance and requirements issued by the department. The legislation also would make changes to the tax code, provide flexibility for telehealth services and extend programs under Medicare and Medicaid. Additionally, the legislation would limit paid leave requirements instituted in previous legislation and ensure that federal funding for leave is provided through advance tax credits. The bill also included rebate checks from the Internal Revenue Service to individuals and families and expanded unemployment insurance, among other provisions. ASCA has been in conversations with White House staff, members of Congress, Medi-


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care staff and state leaders advocating for policies that would support and protect ASCs in their response to this crisis. Visit ASCA’s COVID-19 Resource Center for regular updates.


Larry Taylor, CASC President of ASCA’s Board of Directors


ASC FOCUS MAY 2020 | ascfocus.org


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