CARES Act Provides Tax Relief To Physicians Affected By COVID-19 Business Interruption
On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”). What follows is a basic summary of the tax relief that will become available to individuals and businesses. Dan Schulte, from the law firm Kerr Russell, provides an overview on how physicians will be affected. Dan is an executive committee member of the firm and also serves as co-chair of the firm’s Health Care Practice Group.
There are a multitude of issues facing our members as we all navigate through the extraordinary times the COVID-19 outbreak has caused. This page is designed to provide resources and information for providers and employers we hope can help. If you have specific questions please use the form below.
MOA COVID SURVEY
MOA asks that you take the following short survey (10 questions) so they can better understand the needs of their membership during this pandemic: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/covid19moasurvey
Weekly COVID-19 Webinar Series: Provider Impact
WHAT: The MOA has partnered with HCPM and Practice Transformation Institute to present weekly webinars on topics surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on your practice.
WHEN: May 7, 14, 21 and 28
WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Physicians, Advance Practice Providers, RNs, medical assistants, coders/billers, office managers and any members of your practice's care team.
WHY: As COVID-19 continues to spread, the MOA is focusing on the health and safety of our physicians and the care team community by offering guidance on various topics impacting your practice. The MOA is committed to providing you and your practice team with current information and resources during these uncertain times.
The webinar series will cover issues such as:
- Telehealth reminders and tips
- ICD-10 and CPT information
- Coding and billing for telehealth services
- Engaging you care team
- Preparing for the next wave of COVID-19
Provider Impact Webinar Schedule
May 14 - Developing a Plan to Re-Open Your Practice*
May 28 - Documenting and Coding after "Seeing" Your Patients
*Co-sponsored by BCBSM Value Partnerships
Telemedicine
American Osteopathic Association resources for telemedicine:
On demand webinars:
- How to do telemedicine in the time of COVID-19
- Billing and coding under new telehealth rules
- New rules for telehealth documentation and technology
- HIPAA and telemedicine
Telehealth guides:
- Telemedicine: “Successfully Practice Medicine From a Distance”
- Telehealth Guide with information on revised requirements related to CMS, HIPPA and more
- Telehealth tools, platforms and best practices
DISASTER LOAN GUIDANCE
Our nation's small businesses, including our member practices, are facing an unprecedented economic disruption due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. On Friday, March 27, 2020, the President signed into law the CARES Act, which contains $376 billion in relief for American workers and small businesses. Visit: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options for forms and more information.
Small Business Federal Assistance - In addition to traditional Small Business Administration (SBA) funding programs, the CARES Act established new temporary programs to address the COVID-19:
Paycheck Protection Program - This loan program provides loan forgiveness for retaining employees by temporarily expanding the traditional SBA 7(a) loan program. The PPP is a loan for small businesses to keep workers on the payroll. Small businesses can apply to cover payroll costs, including health insurance.
More: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program-ppp
Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance (EIDL) - This loan will provide up to $2 million, with a loan advance up to $10,000, to businesses that are currently experiencing temporary difficulties due to COVID-19. EIDLs will allow small businesses to access low-interest capital loans from the SBA, up to $2 million, for businesses that are currently experiencing temporary loss of revenue. Loan advances up to $10,000 due to COVID-19 impacts are also available. Some of these loans can be used for operating expenses, including health insurance premiums for their employees.
More: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/economic-injury-disaster-loan-emergency-advance
SBA Express Bridge Loans - Enables small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 quickly. The Express Bridge Loan Program allows certain small businesses to access up to $25,000 quickly. These loans can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome temporary loss of revenue and can be a term loan or used to bridge the gap while applying for a direct SBA Economic Injury Disaster loan.
More: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/sba-express-bridge-loans
SBA Debt Relief - The SBA is providing a financial reprieve to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The following debt relief will happen automatically (no need to apply):
• For 7(a), 504 and microloans:
• The SBA will automatically pay the principal, interest, and fees of current loans for a period of six months.
• The SBA will also automatically pay the principal, interest, and fees of new loans issued prior to September 27, 2020.
• For current SBA Serviced Disaster (Home and Business) Loans:
• If a disaster loan was in “regular servicing” status on March 1, 2020, the SBA is providing automatic deferments through Dec. 31, 2020.
• After this automatic deferment period, borrowers will be required to resume regular principal and interest payments. Borrowers that cancelled recurring payments will need to reestablish the recurring payment.
• The Michigan Small Business Relief Program is providing grants and loans to support businesses facing drastic reductions in cash flow.
• The Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) call center is also available to answer questions about assistance available to small business through existing state programs.
For More Information:
Call (888)522-0103
Visit https://sbdcmichigan.org/small-business-covid19/
UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE
The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency has put together videos to assist those who need to file a claim: Youtu.be/3AAdaXYizbc
BCBSM PROVIDER DELIVERED CARE MANAGEMENT(PDCM) PROGRAM
Information about BCBSM No Cost Telehealth Expansion: https://www.bcbsm.com/content/dam/public/shared/documents/coronavirus/provider/alerts/no-cost-telehealth-extended-expanded.pdf
Behavioral Health support services: 24-hour mental health hotline for those feeling anxious, depressed and stress:
BCBSM Members: 1-800-762-2382
BCN Members: 1-800-482-5982
Free crisis hotline available to anyone: 1-833-848-1764 (staffed by New Directions, BCBSM’s behavioral health partner
NOTES FROM BCBSM
90-day extension to claims submission time limits
Claims Posting start date: April 2, 2020 Posting end date: TBD
BCBSM is granting a 90-day extension to claim submission time limits. Recognizing the extraordinary efforts necessary to address the COVID-19 public health crisis, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are granting a 90-day extension to claim submission time limits. This includes Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network-primary original claims with submission deadlines of Jan. 1, 2020, and after until further notice. This applies to all lines of business, including Blue Cross’ PPO (commercial), BCN HMOSM (commercial), Medicare Plus BlueSM PPO and BCN AdvantageSM. If a Blue Cross or BCN-primary original claim has been denied for failure to meet the claim filing limit on or after Jan. 1, 2020, the claim may be resubmitted within the applicable 90-day extension period.
Note: All audit rights and other plan rules still apply
COVID-19 testing and treatment covered at no member cost-sharing
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are expanding coverage for services related to COVID-19 – waiving all member copays, deductibles and coinsurance for COVID-19 testing and treatment. This applies to Blue Cross’ PPO commercial, Medicare Plus BlueSM PPO, BCN HMOSM commercial and BCN AdvantageSM. This will help members get the care they need without cost concerns.
For more information visit https://www.bcbs.com/coronavirus-updates
These telehealth guides from BCBSM will help you learn which services you can use and when to use them:
Telehealth for Medical Providers (PDF)
Telehealth for Behavioral Health Providers (PDF)
The following codes have no member cost-share during the COVID-19 pandemic:
Telehealth procedure codes for COVID-19 (PDF)
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