CMS provides update on efforts to help those affected by CA wildfires

Oct 20, 2017 - 08:55 AM

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has provided an update on a number of actions the agency has taken to help individuals and providers affected by the California wildfires. Acting Health and Human Services Secretary Eric Hargan Oct. 15 declared a public health emergency in California, retroactive to Oct. 8, allowing CMS to waive or modify certain Medicare, Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program requirements to provide health services. In addition, CMS said its regional offices have been working with the California Hospital Association and providers on specific types of CMS and other HHS program flexibilities that are available with and without waivers. CMS also has made available special enrollment periods for all Medicare beneficiaries affected by the wildfires, and the agency has established a toll-free hotline to assist certain health care providers and suppliers helping with recovery efforts with enrolling in federal health programs and receiving temporary Medicare billing privileges. 

Related News Articles

Headline
AHA podcast: From Alzheimer’s Research to Rural Care at Banner Health 
Corey Casper, M.D., senior vice president and chief research officer at Banner Health, and professor of clinical translational science at the University of…
Headline
Webinar to share how patient flow smoothing can transform hospital safety, staffing and financial performance 
The AHA’s Hospital Capacity Management Consortium will host a webinar Sept. 23 at noon ET that will explore how patient flow smoothing can increase throughput…
Headline
SAMHSA awards $42 million to states, territories for ‘Treatment First’ addiction assistance
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration announced Sept. 18 that it awarded $42.3 million in grants to states and territories to support…
Headline
CMS says all states have applied for GENEROUS Model to provide most-favored-nation drug pricing
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced Sept. 18 that all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico have applied to participate in its…
Headline
AHA recommends changes to CMS’ Medicaid provider tax proposed rule
The AHA commented Sept. 21 on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ proposed rule to implement the changes to Medicaid provider tax policies that…
Headline
HHS establishes quarterly PPE forecast 
The Department of Health and Human Services Sept. 18 announced the launch of a new personal protective equipment forecast to identify, consolidate and publish…