Emergency and Disaster Instructions
When a natural disaster, extreme weather or emergency occurs that affects providers and the Medicare beneficiaries that they serve, special emergency-related policies and procedures may be implemented. For detailed information on these policies and procedures, please see the following resources:
- For information when an applicable 1135 waiver (PDF, 580 KB) has been granted
- For information on the Medicare Fee-For-Service Emergency-Related Policies and Procedures (PDF, 1.22 MB) where no 1135 waivers are required
This section provides information regarding the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). CMS has developed helpful information regarding the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
COVID-19 Vaccines
- COVID-19 Vaccine Resources: What Partners Need to Know Now
- COVID-19 Vaccine Policies & Guidance
- COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit
Coronavirus: Overview
- CMS Current Emergencies: Coronavirus
- CMS Coronavirus Waiver and Flexibilities
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- USA.gov has the latest information about what the U.S. Government is doing in response to COVID-19
- Read CMS' Coronavirus Press Releases
- COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) Billing (PDF, 1.25 MB)
General Information and Updates
CMS MLN Connects
- MLN Connects - Thursday, August 27, 2020: COVID-19: Training to Strengthen Nursing Home Infection Control Practices
- MLN Connects - Thursday, August 20, 2020: Routine Provider Inspections Resume
- MLN Connects - Thursday, August 13, 2020: COVID-19: CMS/CDC Nursing Home Training Series Webcast – August 13
- MLN Connects - Thursday, August 6, 2020: Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule Listening Session: Register Now
- MLN Connects Special Edition - Tuesday, August 4, 2020: PFS, OPPS, and IRF: FY 2021 Payment Rules
- MLN Connects Special Edition - Friday, July 31, 2020: FY 2021 Medicare Payment Policies for IPFs, SNFs, and Hospices
- MLN Connects Special Edition - Thursday, July 30, 2020: Payment for COVID-19 Counseling, Reporting Hospital Therapeutics, Out-of-Pocket Drug Costs
- MLN Connects - Thursday, July 30, 2020: COVID-19 Impacts on Medicare Beneficiaries – Updated Data
- MLN Connects Special Edition - Thursday, July 23, 2020: COVID-19: New Resources to Protect Nursing Home Residents
- MLN Connects for Thursday, July 23, 2020: Telemedicine Hack: 10-Week Learning Community for Ambulatory Providers
- MLN Connects for Thursday, July 16, 2020: Nursing Homes & COVID: Five Things to Know, Additional Resources, Training
- MLN Connects for Thursday, July 9, 2020: ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Codes: FY 2021
- MLN Connects Special Edition - Monday July 6, 2020: News
- MLN Connects for Thursday, July 2, 2020: Attend Nursing Home Training Series Webcasts
- MLN Connects Special Edition - Friday, June 26, 2020: News
- MLN Connects for Thursday, June 25, 2020: COVID-19: New Data Details Impacts on Medicare Beneficiaries
- MLN Connects Special Edition - Friday, June 19, 2020: COVID-19: Using the CR Modifier and DR Condition Code
- MLN Connects for Thursday, June 18, 2020: COVID-19 Diagnostic Laboratory Tests: Billing for Clinician Services
- MLN Connects for Thursday, June 11, 2020: COVID-19: Reopening Health Care Facilities
- MLN Connects for Thursday, June 4, 2020: MLN Connects for June 4, 2020
- MLN Connects Special Edition - Monday, June 1, 2020: COVID-19: Using the CR Modifier and DR Condition
- Special Edition MLN Connects - Friday, May 29, 2020: New COVID-19 FAQs on Medicare Fee-for-Service Billing
- MLN Connects for Thursday, May 28, 2020: MLN Connects for May 28, 2020
- MLN Connects for Thursday, May 21, 2020
- Special Edition MLN Connects - Friday, May 15, 2020: COVID-19 deadlines, new releases, and important calls
- MLN Connects for Thursday, May 14, 2020: IPPS/LTCH PPS: FY 2021 Proposed Rule
- Special Edition MLN Connects - Tuesday, May 12, 2020: COVID-19: Additional Waivers, Price Transparency, and the CMS
- Special Edition MLN Connects - Friday, May 8, 2020: COVID-19: Nursing Home Reporting, Updated Telehealth Video, Pharmacies & Other Suppliers Can Enroll as Labs, IRF Flexibilities
- MLN Connects for April 30, 2020: COVID-19: Lessons from the Front Lines
- Special Edition MLN Connects - April 27, 2020: COVID-19: CMS Reevaluates Accelerated Payment Program and Suspends Advance Payment Program
- MLN Connects for April 23, 2020: Report Clinical Trial Data to Fight COVID-19 & Earn MIPS Credit
- Special Edition MLN Connects - April 20, 2020: COVID-19: Nursing Home Transparency, Recommendations for Areas with Low Incidence of Disease
- Special Edition MLN Connects - April 17, 2020: COVID-19: RHC & FQHC Flexibilities, Increased Payment for Lab Tests, Hospital Waivers, Call Audio and Transcript
- Special Edition MLN Connects - Wednesday, April 15, 2020: COVID-19: Reprocessing Hospital Claims, Essential Diagnostic Services, Non-Invasive Ventilators
- Special Edition MLN Connects - Friday, April 10, 2020: COVID-19: Infection Control, Maximizing Workforce, Updated Q&A, CS Modifier for Cost-Sharing, Payment Adjustment Suspended
- MLN Connects for Thursday, April 9, 2020: Important COVID-19 Updates
- Special Edition MLN Connects - Tuesday, April 7, 2020: COVID-19: Telehealth Video, Coinsurance and Deductible Waived, ASC Attestations, Ambulance Modifiers, Lessons From Front Lines, MLN Call Today
- Special Edition MLN Connects – Friday, April 3, 2020: COVID-19: Telehealth Billing Correction, Nursing Home Recommendations, Billing for Multi-Function Ventilators, New ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code
- MLN Connects Special Edition - Tuesday, March 31, 2020: COVID-19: Regulatory Changes, Telehealth Billing, and Specimen Collection Codes
- MLN Connects Special Edition - Monday, March 30, 2020: COVID-19: Financial Relief, Nursing Home Telehealth, Quality Reporting, Clinical Laboratories, Hospital Data Sharing
- MLN Connects for Thursday, March 26, 2020: COVID-19: New Targeted Plan for Health Care Facility Inspections
- MLN Connects Special Edition - Thursday, March 26, 2020: COVID-19: Enrollment Relief, Open Payments, Beneficiary Notices
- Special Edition MLN Connects – Monday, March 23, 2020: COVID-19: Relief for Quality Reporting Programs and Provider Enrollment
- Special Edition MLN Connects - Friday, March 20, 2020: COVID-19: Telehealth and Non-Essential Procedures
- MLN Connects for Thursday, March 19, 2020: Medicare FFS Response to the Public Health Emergency on the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Special Edition MLN Connects - Tuesday, March 17, 2020: COVID-19: President Trump Expands Telehealth Benefits for Medicare Beneficiaries During COVID-19 Outbreak
- Special Edition MLN Connects - Monday, March 16, 2020: COVID-19: FFS Response and Nursing Home Visitor Guidance
- Special Edition MLN Connects - Friday, March 13, 2020: COVID-19: Test Pricing, Diagnostic Lab Tests, Pricing & Codes, and EHB Coverage
- MLN Connects for Thursday, March 12, 2020: 2019 Novel Coronavirus Guidance
- Special Edition MLN Connects - Monday, March 9, 2020: COVID-19 Response: CMS Issues FAQs to Assist Medicare Providers
- Special Edition MLN Connects - Friday, March 6, 2020: CMS Develops Additional Code for Coronavirus Lab Tests
- Special Edition MLN Connects - Wednesday, March 4, 2020: CMS Announces Actions to Address Spread of Coronavirus
- MLN Connects for Thursday, February 27, 2020: COVID-19 Coding Guidance
- MLN Connects for Thursday, February 20, 2020: Bill Correctly for Medicare Telehealth Services
Health Care Facilities
- New and Expanded Flexibilities for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) — SE20016 (PDF, 253 KB)
- New Waivers for Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) Hospitals, Long-Term Care Hospitals (LTCHs), and Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRFs) due to Provisions of the CARES Act — SE20015 (PDF 179 KB)
- Letter requesting hospitals report data in connection with their efforts to fight the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) (PDF, 416 KB)
- Accelerated and Advanced Payments Fact Sheet (PDF, 100 KB)
- Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Nursing Homes-Revise (PDF, 151 KB)
- Guidance for Use of Certain Industrial Respirators by Health Care Personnel (3/10/20)
- Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention Concerning Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Home Health Agencies (3/10/20)
- Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention Concerning Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Dialysis Facilities (3/10/20)
- Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act ( EMTALA ) Requirements and Implications Related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (3/9/20)
- Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention Concerning Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) by Hospice Agencies (3/9/20)
- Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention Concerning Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): FAQs and Considerations for Patient Triage, Placement and Hospital Discharge (3/4/20)
- Information for Healthcare Facilities Concerning 2019 Novel Coronavirus Illness (2019-nCoV) (2/6/20)
All Health Professional Guidance
- Medical Review Administrative Relief Related to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic
- Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) Response to the Public Health Emergency on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) ( SE20011 [PDF, 226 KB])
- CMS COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) Billing (last update 6/25/2020) (PDF, 934 KB)
Telehealth
- Medicare Coverage and Payment of Virtual Services Video
- Special Edition MLN Connects – Friday, April 3, 2020
- MLN Connects Special Edition - Tuesday, March 31, 2020
- President Trump Expands Telehealth Benefits for Medicare Beneficiaries During COVID-19 Outbreak Tuesday, March 17, 2020
- Medicare Telemedicine Health Care Provider Fact Sheet Tuesday, March 17, 2020
- Medicare Telehealth Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Tuesday, March 17, 2020 (PDF, 111 KB)
- Telehealth Benefits in Medicare are a Lifeline for Patients During Coronavirus Outbreak Monday, March 9, 2020
- Telehealth Services MLN Booklet (PDF, 2.71 MB)
- General Provider Telehealth and Telemedicine Tool Kit (PDF, 289 KB)
Labs
- COVID-19 Laboratory Test Pricing
- CMS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) , CLIA Guidance During the COVID-19 Emergency (PDF, 72 KB)
- Notification to Surveyors of the Authorization for Emergency Use of the CDC 2019-Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel Assay and Guidance for Authorized Laboratories on the CMS website
Billing and Coding
- Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Codes Subject to and Excluded from Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) — MM11640 (PDF, 203 KB)
- Update to the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) for Vaping Related Disorder and 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) — MM11623 (PDF, 166 KB)
Finance
- Accelerated and Advance Payment Repayment & Recovery Frequently Asked Questions (October 8, 2020) (PDF, 84 KB)
- CMS Fact Sheet: Repayment Terms For Accelerated and Advance Payments Issued to Providers and Suppliers During Covid-19 Emergency (PDF, 71 KB)
- Repayment of Coronavirus Accelerated and Advance Payments
- COVID-19 Accelerated/Advance Payment (AAP) Repayment FAQ
- CMS Reevaluates Accelerated Payment Program and Suspends Advance Payment Program
- April 2020 Integrated Outpatient Code Editor (I/OCE) Specifications Version 21.1 — MM11680 (PDF, 178 KB)
Provider Enrollment
- Provider Enrollment Hotline: Temporary Provisional Medicare Billing Privileges
- 2019-Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Medicare Provider Enrollment Relief Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the CMS website (PDF, 124 KB)
Palmetto GBA COVID-19 Education