COVID-19

COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus)

Pediatric Provider Resources & Information

This page was last update on September 16, 2020

Pennsylvania COVID-19 Cases:
September 15, 2020

Pa. has 1,151 new cases, bringing statewide total to 146,214 in all 67 Pa. counties. Centre County is reporting an increase of 212 cases, and Philadelphia is reporting a two-day increase of 197 cases. Learn more. View a breakdown of cases here.
Pennsylvania released its weekly COVID-19 Early Warning Monitoring Dashboard update. It includes information such as data on cases among 5- to18-year-olds and updated travel recommendations. Learn more
The Pa. Department of Health shared its weekly report on COVID-19 contact tracing. Learn more
A federal court decision issued yesterday invalidates certain COVID-19 efforts by Gov. Wolf as unconstitutional. The governor announced plans to appeal the decision, Find out which COVID-19 mitigation steps are affected by the decision. Learn more

National & Global COVID-19 Cases: Find near real-time data using this map from Johns Hopkins University.

Pennsylvania clinicians are asked to report any suspected cases immediately by calling the Pa. Department of Health at 1-877PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258) or your local health department.

Below is PA AAP’s compilation of resource materials on the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak. This collection of links and resources for pediatric health care providers is updated on a weekly basis.

PA AAP Pediatric Workflow Guidance and Recommendations Based on a Synthesis of
CDC, AAP, AND PADOH Guidance

The document provided for download below highlights key strategies for managing COVID19 in an outpatient pediatric setting. These strategies have been been compiled based on current recommendations and feedback from our members. Please follow epidemiologic updates and guidance given by the CDC (CDC COVID19), the Pennsylvania Department of Health (Pennsylvania Department of Health COVID19), and the AAP (AAP COVID19) as the strategies listed here may change at any moment given the constantly evolving nature of this situation.

VIEW PA AAP COVID-19 GUIDANCE

PA AAP Weekly COVID-19 Updates

PA AAP compiles weekly news, updates and resources on COVID-19 to be shared with members in an e-Newsletter. Below you will find the archived weekly COVID-19 updates. Resources in the newsletters are available in the resource sections below. To subscribe to the weekly updates, please reach out to info@paaap.org.

Chapter response 3/20

Testing

American Medical Association's Considerations for Physicians Ordering SARS-CoV-2 PCR Diagnostic Testing

American Medical Association's Considerations for the General Public Seeking SARS-CoV-2 PCR Diagnostic Testing

Pa. Department of Health Alert on Laboratory Testing Comparison (Issued 5/06/2020) - In this alert, DOH shared the CLIA laboratory testing comparison, available via CMS here.

CDC Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling, and Testing Clinical Specimens from Persons for COVID-19

CDC Overview of Testing for SARS-CoV-2

COVID-19 Testing Sites in Pennsylvania
Food and Drug Administration FAQs on COVID-19 Testing (Includes information on manufacturers distributing diagnostic and serology tests)

Reimbursement and Telemedicine

Reimbursement

Medicare Administrative Contractor COVID-19 Test Pricing
Medicaid and CHIP Recipients' COVID-19 Testing and Treatment Resources Are Covered: FAQs and More (Pa. Department of Human Services)
Medicare FFS Response to COVID-19 (Includes information on how to bill for counseling patients to self-isolate following COVID-19 testing)

Links to telemedicine policies for Pennsylvania insurers below*:

Aetna - Find updates on page six of this document.
Capital Blue Cross
Cigna
Gateway
Geisinger
Highmark
Independence Blue Cross
Medicaid/Medical Assistance
Medicaid/Medical Assistance Behavioral Health
Medicare Telehealth Services - On March 17, 2020, CMS announced that telehealth services for Medicare beneficiaries will be expanded during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Medicare Virtual Care Services
UnitedHealthCare
UPMC
Workers' Compensation - Scroll to the final question in this FAQ for telehealth information.

*Important Note: Please keep in mind that insurers are making updates to policies frequently as they respond to COVID-19. We encourage you to contact the insurers you work with directly with any questions you have regarding their telemedicine policies.

Telehealth

The use of telehealth is rapidly expanding in response to the COVID-19 emergency. Starting March 1, 2020 and for the duration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, Medicare will make payment for services furnished to beneficiaries in all areas of the country in all settings. Many other health insurers have also updated their telemedicine policies in response to the crisis.

Further Expansion of Telehealth in Medicare, Including an Increase in Payments for Telephone Visits Retroactive to March 1: On April 30, the Centers for Medicaid and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a further expansion of telehealth in Medicare. CMS previously announced that Medicare would pay for certain services conducted by audio-only telephone between beneficiaries and their doctors and other clinicians. Now, CMS is broadening that list to include many behavioral health and patient education services. CMS is also increasing payments for these telephone visits to match payments for similar office and outpatient visits. This would increase payments for these services from a range of about $14-$41 to about $46-$110. The payments are retroactive to March 1, 2020. Get details on all the changes announced on April 30 here.
Additionally, the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) will waive penalties for HIPAA violations against health care providers that serve patients in good faith through everyday communications technologies, such as FaceTime or Skype, during the COVID-19 nationwide public health emergency. Note that OCR also offers guidance for providers on civil rights protections during the COVID-19 pandemic here.

AAP
AAP Guidance: Telehealth Payer Policy in Response to COVID-19
State Notices on Telehealth Policy.
Coding for Telemedicine
Implementing Telemedicine into Practice and After Hours

Selecting a Telemedicine Vendor
PA AAP is working with the National AAP and members across the state to compile telemedicine resources.

Telemedicine vendor options- a document providing a comparison of a few telehealth platforms developed by Dr. David Wolfson, Medical Director - Children's Community Pediatrics, Pittsburgh, PA. We will keep this list updated as the information continues to evolve.
Evaluating telemedicine vendors

Pennsylvania physicians and practices can also get resources as well as technical assistance through the Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center (MATRC). Visit matrc.org to learn more.
Additional Telemedicine Resources and Information

Telemedicine Webinars

"Implementing Telemedicine in Pediatric Practice" Posted 3/25/20

In this webinar, our panel addresses telehealth basics including how to get started using telehealth in your practice, technology considerations necessary for implementing a telehealth platform, and what you need to know in order to get paid for telehealth visits (billing and coding specifications).

Presenters:
Kristin Ray, MD: Director of Health Systems Improvements, Children's Community Pediatrics, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Bonnie Offit, MD, FAAP: Clinical Advisor in Digital Health, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, General Pediatrician, CHOP Care Network

Chip Hart: Director of Primary Care Collaborative Pediatric Solutions, Primary Care Collaborative Pediatric EHR Solutions

Recording
Telemedicine Q&A Handout

AAP Telehealth and COVID-19 Webinar Posted 3/25/20
This webinar by Sue Kressly, MD, FAAP offers guidance on how to launch telehealth into practice during COVID-19.
View Recording

PPE Guidance and infromation

Gov. Wolf Executive Order for Targeted Distribution of PPE and Other Supplies (Issued 4/08/2020) - Facilities and providers are required to submit inventory information via this online collection tool.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Critical Medical Supplies Procurement Portal - The Portal is for manufacturers, distributors and other suppliers to inform us of supplies available for purchase and will allow the state to more quickly and efficiently procure these supplies for hospitals and medical facilities across Pennsylvania.
Pa. Department of Health COVID-19 Guidance on Distribution of Personal Protective Equipment

Pennsylvania Manufacturing Call to Action Portal - Matches and identifies manufacturers and distributors to fill specific supply chain needs to meet increasing demands for medical supplies and related products.
Pa. Secretary of Health Order Requiring Universal Face Coverings (Expanded on 7/01/2020

PA Department of Health/CDC

Find all of the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 resources using the links below:

DOH Coronavirus Resources
CDC Coronavirus Resources
CDC Coronavirus Resources for Health Care Professionals
CDC Coronavirus Resources for Schools and Childcare Programs
COVID-19 Data for Pennsylvania
COVID-19 Early Warning Monitoring System Dashboard for Pennsylvania
Pa. Secretary of Health Expanded Order Requiring Universal Face Coverings
Pennsylvania COVID-19 Information for Travelers – DOH's COVID-19 Information for Travelers webpage recommends that those who travel, or plan to travel, to an area where there are high amounts of COVID-19 cases stay at home for 14 days upon return to Pennsylvania. Additionally, this webpage includes the current list of states for which - if an individual is returning to Pennsylvania after traveling to one of those states - it is recommended that the individual quarantine for 14 days upon return. Physicians and practices with specific questions about the quarantine recommendations should refer to their human resources policies or contact their legal counsel. DOH also offers FAQs on the recommendations, including information for employers, here.

Non-Emergent Surgeries & Procedures

DOH guidance for health care providers on resuming non-urgent procedures (applicable for all health care provider settings except hospitals, ASFs, and dental practices)
DOH guidance for hospitals
DOH guidance for ambulatory surgical facilities

Health Alert Network Updates
Many of your questions will be answered as they become available through the Health Alert Network’s below. The HAN updates will be sent to your email in real time and take a very short time to sign up for. All health care professionals are strongly encouraged to sign up for these notices.

Licensing Waivers and Suspensions

Federal Regulatory Updates

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Updates on COVID-19 - This webpage lists all of the actions that CMS has taken in connection to the COVID-19 emergency.
CMS COVID-19 Waivers and Flexibilities
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Authorizes Pharmacists to Administer Childhood Vaccines to Individuals Ages 3 to 18

Pennsylvania Licensure & Regulatory Updates in Response to COVID-19
Below find summaries of the actions that Pennsylvania has taken concerning health practitioner licensure requirements during the COVID-19 emergency:

Find a complete list of licensure suspensions announced by the Pennsylvania Department of State here.

Licensure/Regulatory Action Taken in Other States
The Federation of State Medical Boards offers a a list of actions that states (including states that share a border with Pennsylvania) have taken action on licensure requirements. View List

Business Resources and Loan Information

CARES Act Provider Relief
The bipartisan CARES Act provides $100 billion in relief funds to hospitals and other health care providers. Beginning April 10, 2020, $30 billion was distributed with payments arriving via direct deposit. All facilities and providers that received Medicare fee-for-service reimbursements in 2019 are eligible for this initial distribution. The CARES Act provider relief funds are payments, not loans, to health care providers, and will not need to be repaid.

Distribution of the remaining $20 billion of the general distribution to providers began on April 24. A portion of providers will automatically be sent an advance payment based off the revenue data they submit in CMS cost reports. Providers without adequate cost report data on file were required to submit their revenue information. Get details on all CARES Act provider relief funding at hhs.gov/providerrelief and check out the updates below:

Reporting Requirements: Those who received one or more CARES Act Provider Relief Fund payments exceeding $10,000 in total are required to report spending information. HHS has shared a notice on the reporting requirements. HHS says a reporting system will be available on Oct. 1. Read HHS’ notice.
AMA Update on CARES Act Relief Funding: On June 26, the AMA reported an issue with the drafting of the CARES Act bill that, if left unaddressed, could mean that entities who received relief funds would be required to pay taxes on those funds. The AMA has joined other organizations in asking Congress to correct this error. Find out more in this AMA article.

Pennsylvania Guidance for Businesses

COVID-19 Guidance for Businesses Maintaining In-Person Operations
COVID-19 Safety Procedures for Businesses (Businesses maintaining in-person operations are required to prominently display this information and notice. Find a Spanish-language version of the notice here.)

Business Resources & Loan Opportunities

CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Options - The U.S. Small Business Administration provides more information on temporary coronavirus relief funding options: Paycheck Protection Program (applications no longer being accepted for PPP); EIDL Loan Advance; SBA Express Bridge Loans; and SBA Debt Relief.
COVID-19 Business Resources (Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development) – DCED offers working capitol loans that could be of assistance to businesses impacted by COVID-19. Resources and information will be posted to DCED’s webpage as they become available.
COVID-19 Relief Pennsylvania Statewide Small Business Assistance program – This state program administered by DCED provides grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 to small businesses that have been economically impacted by COVID-19. Applications for the second round of funding will be accepted from Aug. 10, 2020 through Aug. 28, 2020.
American Medical Association Physician Practice R.elief Guide
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry: Coronavirus Resources for Businesses
COVID-19 Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources (U.S. Small Business Administration)
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Coronavirus Resources for Businesses
U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division guidance on the federal Family First Coronavirus Response Act
COVID-19 and Unemployment Compensation: FAQs (Pa. Office of Unemployment Compensation)
What You Should Know about COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other Equal Employment Opportunity Laws (U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)
Information for Pennsylvania Employees Impacted by COVID-19 (Pa. Office of Unemployment Compensation)

OSHA Guidance for Businesses
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offers guidance on how to maintain operations in a pandemic. View OSHA Guidance.

Education

The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education has compiled a list of coronavirus education resources that can help clinicians respond.

View the accredited CME activities on coronavirus infections (link: https://www.accme.org/coronavirus-resources)

Resources for your office

Pennsylvania Emergency Preparedness Guide (DOH)

CDC Handouts and Posters

What You Need to Know - English or Spanish
What to Do if You Are Sick – English or Spanish
Stop the Spread of Germs – English or Spanish
Symptoms of COVID-19 – English or Spanish

CDC Videos

Resources for patients

Share the Facts, Stop Fear (CDC)
CDC Handouts and Posters

What You Need to Know - English or Spanish
What to Do if You Are Sick – English or Spanish
Stop the Spread of Germs – English or Spanish
Symptoms of COVID-19 – English or Spanish

CDC Videos

More Information on COVID-19:

PA AAP COVID-19 Webinars

PA AAP offers weekly CME webinars to members on important topics and updates on the COVID-19 pandemic. Recordings from this series can be viewed here.

View archived webinars

UPCOMING: September 23, 2020 | 8 PM - 9 PM ET
"COVID-19 Update: Ask the Infectious Disease Experts"

Presenters:
Swathi Gowtham, MD- Infectious Disease Pediatrician, Geisinger Medical Center

Susan Coffin, MD, MPH, FAAP- Attending Physician, Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; Faculty Member, Center for Pediatric Clinical Effectiveness, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; Professor of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

Session Learning Objectives:
As a result of participation in this activity, participants will be able to:
-Discuss the current status of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania; Whats new? -
Discuss the impact of COVID-19 on return to school/sports/childcare/extracurricular activities for children and those with special needs
-Describe newest recommendations to control the spread of COVID-19 for the general pediatrician, including testing, contact tracing and infection control

REGISTER HERE

PA AAP #CallYourPediatrician Well Child and Immunization Campaign

With national data showing immunization rates for all ages dipping to dangerously low levels, today the American Academy of Pediatrics is launching a campaign urging parents to call their pediatricians to schedule check-ups and vaccines for children of all ages.
LEARN MORE

"The Bed Warriors"

When the bed warriors' defenses are strong...
#CallYourPediatrician

COVID-19 To-Do's

Let your Pediatrician take ‘em off your hands for 20 minutes.  Don’t skip vaccines or checkups, or ignore concerns about your child’s health. Pediatricians are offering options like telehealth and have implemented strict safety measures.
#CallYourPediatrician