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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

White Paper Outlines Recommendations to Safeguard the Future of Telehealth

The Taskforce on Telehealth Policy released a final report on Tuesday, September 15, outlining its findings and recommendations around safeguarding the future of telehealth after the COVID-19 pandemic. The task force, which was convened by the National Committee for Quality Assurance, the Alliance for Connected Care, and the American Telemedicine Association, represented a broad spectrum of stakeholders who spent the summer building consensus around the challenges and opportunities for virtual care. 

Conversations on COVID-19: Impacts on Communities of Color

While much is still unknown about the virus causing the current pandemic, according to data from the CDC, we do know that certain populations—African-Americans, Hispanic Americans, and the elderly, to name a few—are bearing the brunt of infections and deaths.

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

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

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