President Trump Signs “Phase Three” COVID-19 Stimulus Bill

On March 27, President Trump signed H.R. 748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Earlier the same day, the House passed the economic stimulus bill by voice vote, and the Senate passed the bill with a vote of 96-0 the week before. The Joint Committee on Taxation estimates the budget impact of the bill to be about $591 billion over the next decade. The legislation would provide roughly $250 billion in rebate checks to most Americans, help struggling businesses meet payrolls and enhance state and local relief efforts. Find the bill text here.

HHS Tells States to Use Emergency Powers to Expand Providers’ Scope

On March 24, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) asked governors to expand access to providers during the COVID-19 emergency by relaxing provider licensure and supervision requirements and increasing liability protections. HHS asked states to allow health professionals licensed or certified in one state to practice in other states either in-person or over telemedicine. HHS asked governors to waive state licensure or certification fees and to work with state licensure boards to put a moratorium on scope of practice limits.

HHS Warns of Medicare Fraud with Fake COVID-19 Tests

On March 23, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General warned that scammers are targeting Medicare beneficiaries with promises of illegitimate COVID-19 tests in order to steal beneficiaries’ medical information and fraudulently bill federal health care programs. The fake treatments are being offered through telemarketing calls, social media platforms and door-to-door visits. Find more information here.

Read more in McGuireWoods Consulting’s Washington Healthcare Update.