INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions
and recent articles we have written.
Synopsis of OSHA COVID ETS Regulations
OSHA COVID-19 EMERGENCY TEMPORARY STANDARD On June 21, 2021, OSHA released for publication staggering requirements related to healthcare practice protocols. Unless you qualify under an exemption, the new rules will require many practice protocols including: Mandatory...
Update on Vaccination Requirements
Summary of President Biden's Executive Order On September 9, President Biden issued a stunning and far-reaching executive order related to the continual COVID pandemic. While the current buzz is related to vaccination of healthcare workers, the Order actually has six...
GUIDELINES FOR VACCINATED INDIVIDUALS
Currently, the only known facts are the COVID-19 vaccines have demonstrated high efficacy at preventing severe and symptomatic COVID-19. Although early studies seem to demonstrate more positive information, there is limited data on how much the vaccines might reduce...
EMPLOYEE RETENTION TAX CREDIT
An Often Overlooked Source of Business Relief The employee retention tax credit (ERTC or ERC) was initially a part of the 2020 CARES legislation. Several limitations in eligibility made this benefit an unlikely evaluated source of economic relief in the COVID crisis....
MANAGING EMPLOYEES AFTER COVID VACCINATION
As many healthcare workers are getting vaccinated, it is important to understand how signs and symptoms related to the vaccination must be evaluated against the signs and symptoms of COVID infection. It is important to not unnecessarily burden your operations by...
CDC UPDATES GUIDELINES ON WHAT COUNTS AS CLOSE CONTACT
According to the CDC the new definition of close contact is: Someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior...
FFCRA: EMPLOYEE PAID LEAVE RIGHT
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers to provide employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. Generally, the Act provides that employees of covered...
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR IT SECURITY
The Security Rule does not require specific technology solutions for providers but HHS does give some general guidance (see Security Standards: Technical Safeguards for more in depth info) HHS specifically addresses 5 HIPAA technical standards and PCS has grouped our...
HOW TO APPLY FOR STAGE 3 OF THE PROVIDER RELIEF FUND
The Provider Relief Fund supports healthcare providers in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualified providers of health care may receive Provider Relief Fund payments for healthcare-related expenses or lost revenue due to COVID-19. These distributions do not...
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR RULINGS ON PAID LEAVE UNDER FFCRA
On September 11, the DOL issued new rulings that change several points in the Sick Pay and FMLA extension benefits available under FFCRA – in some cases invalidating what the original law said. Four main issues were clarified or changed. Work Availability The DOL...
CDC UPDATES
On July 15, CDC released a new update on guidance during the COVID pandemic. The new guidance is very confusing and contradicts itself in several areas. This is our best interpretation we can offer. Eye Protection. The new guidance states that healthcare providers...
A DOCTOR OR EMPLOYEE HAS COVID-19 – NOW WHAT?
The following summary comes from CDC guidelines. More detailed explanations may be found in our Exposure & Risk-assessment Guidelines and from the CDC website. STEP 1 – BE PROACTIVE In the vast majority of cases, employees are becoming infected at home and in...
THE SBA HAS RE-OPENED THE EIDL APPLICATION PORTAL
If you have not applied for or received an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) advance payment or loan, but you need additional financial relief, you can now apply once again through the Small Business Administration (SBA) online portal...
PPP FORGIVENESS UPDATE
On June 3, 2020, the Senate passed the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 (H.R. 7010). CLARIFICATIONS IN THE PPP FLEXIBILITY ACT OF 2020 While additional guidance is likely related to this new legislation, the Act does somewhat simplify the...
COVID EXPOSURE RISK ASSESSMENT & RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES
The following recommendations rely entirely on the guidelines as published by the CDC or OSHA. The CDCs latest guidelines can be found at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/risk-assesment-hcp.html, www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/infection-control.html, and the OSHA guidelines...
CARES ACT PROVIDER RELIEF FUND
Many of probably received money from HHS in your bank account or an email saying you will be receiving money from HHS. You may be thinking Santa Claus is confused and thinks April is Christmas. It is real. This is once again part of the massive CARES Act which...
CMS ACCELERATED AND ADVANCE PAYMENTS PROGRAM
UPDATE APRIL 27: On April 26, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it is reevaluating the amounts that will be paid under its Accelerated Payment Program and suspending its Advance Payment Program effective immediately. The agency...
FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT
Congress passed emergency legislation (HR 6021) that allows for additional benefits to employees in this crisis. Eligibility for these benefits is restricted to issues related to the COVID-19 crisis. We expect there will be guidance and clarification on many issues...
FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT
Congress passed emergency legislation (HR 6021) that allows for additional benefits to employees in this crisis. Eligibility for these benefits is restricted to issues related to the COVID-19 crisis. We expect there will be guidance and clarification on many issues...
CMS ACCELERATED AND ADVANCE PAYMENTS PROGRAM
UPDATE APRIL 27: On April 26, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it is reevaluating the amounts that will be paid under its Accelerated Payment Program and suspending its Advance Payment Program effective immediately. The agency...
