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Catherine Palmer, Academy President photo

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE | Real Change for Our Profession

On Friday, March 20, 2020, the entire group of audiologists I work with at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) was taking care of patients in person. Three days later, Monday, March 23, 2020, we were providing all of our services remotely. 

We had been thinking about expanding into telehealth over the past year, but we had all sorts of reasons why it wouldn’t, couldn’t, and shouldn’t work. And then one day, it had to work or we wouldn’t have been able to take care of our patients. 

Topic(s): President's Message, audiology, Telehealth, tele-audiology, teleaudiology, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), CARES Act, Medicare, cochlear implant codes, Cochlear Implants (CI)

Author(s): 
Catherine V. Palmer

Publication Issue: Audiology Today July/August 2020

Encourage Your Legislator to Support Inclusion of Medicare Audiology Provisions in Future COVID-19 Legislation

Congress is now working on crafting another COVID-19 relief package to follow up on the CARES Act passed last week.

The CARES Act Provider Relief Fund Begins Disbursements

Today, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) began distributing the initial $30 billion in COVID-19 relief funding to providers as part of the distribution of the $100 billion fund provided as part of the CARES Act. This initial distribution of funds will go to hospitals and providers currently enrolled in Medicare and take effect immediately

Treasury Department Releases Application Form and Fact Sheet for Forgivable Small Businesses Loans

The newly enacted Paycheck Protection Program included in the most recent COVID-19 relief package authorizes $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses to cover payroll, rent/mortgage and utilities.

President Signs “The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act” that Includes Small Business Assistance (CARES)

The recently enacted “CARES” Act includes the “Paycheck Protection Program” (PPP) for small businesses. The PPP is designed to provide short-term cash flow assistance to small businesses to help these businesses and their employees deal with the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis. 

COVID-19 Resources

COVID-19 Resources

HHS Extends Application Deadline for Financial Relief Medicaid Providers until August 28, 2020

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has extended the application deadline for Medicaid providers for Phase 2 financial relief distribution until August 28, 2020. HHS also plans to reopen the portal for certain Medicaid providers to receive funding under Phase 1 provisions for those unable to complete applications previously. Both groups will have until Friday, August 28, 2020 to apply. More information can be found on the HHS website.

Considerations in the Search for Transparent Face Coverings During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Because of COVID-19 and broad mandates to wear face coverings, there are numerous local, state, and national conversations regarding communication access for individuals who are deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) in school, hospital, and public settings. Although there was an initial shortage and concerns about meeting global demands, we have witnessed, in a short period, rapid production of various types of masks and shields intended for use by either the public or health workers, including masks with clear (transparent) windows and face shields.

AHA, AMA, and ANA Urge Public to Wear Masks

The American Hospital Association (AHA), the American Medical Association (AMA), and American Nurses Association (ANA) released a public service announcement (PSA) today (July 31) urging the American public to take three simple steps to help stop the spread of COVID-19: wear a mask, practice physical distancing and wash hands frequently. 

Coding and Reimbursement: Telehealth

In the era of COVID-19, it has become increasingly important to use different methods of clinical service provision to protect our patients’ health while still addressing their hearing, tinnitus, and vestibular health-care needs. 

As audiology clinics increase their use of telehealth as a method for patient care, audiologists must understand how such changes also impact coding and billing. This article will discuss considerations and provide examples of billing and coding for telehealth services for audiologists.

President’s Message: Health-Care Changes and Tele-Audiology—Our Focus on the Future

National Audiology Associations Team Up to Request Removal of the Medicare Physician Order Requirement

 

 

COVID-19 Week in Review

See a recap of this week's news and resources. A new Academy update will be posted each Friday.

Practice Management Resources

Telehealth Resources

Virtual Academy Research Conference (ARC) 2020—Tele-Audiology: Theory to Practice
August 6, 10:00 am-5:00 pm ET

Telehealth and Medicare/Medicaid

Below is a resource list with information on the provision of telehealth services. The Academy will post additional information as it comes available.

Toolkits and Resource Centers

Treatment and Management Considerations

 

Ototoxicity, Medications, and Supplements

Government Resources

Public Awareness and Educational Resources

Communication Access Resources 

Mental Health

Resources for Students