The NYSCA is pleased to share the good news. Updated guidance has been released that chiropractic offices can resume providing the full breadth of chiropractic services. The prior restriction to “emergency chiropractic services” is no longer in place. This was accomplished with the update of the definition of Essential Business being changed to ''chiropractic services". All chiropractic services are now considered essential throughout the entire state of New York.
UnitedHealthcare recently published an update relative to COVID-19. Noted in the introductory paragraph of this notice:
We know there are many questions and concerns about the best practices for reopening a practice and for returning to the full breadth of chiropractic practice. To assist with this, last week a “reopening and reigniting practice guide” was emailed to you.
Your service to public health throughout the covid crisis is appreciated. At this stage some of our colleagues are looking to reopen their practices and begin providing 'emergency chiropractic services'. Others have been open in this essential capacity and are anxiously awaiting the green light to provide a full spectrum of chiropractic care. To assist you with both of those strides forward, the NYSCA has created a guide to opening and reigniting your practice.
The Senate and Assembly returned to session this week to address legislation specifically related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Committee meetings were held remotely in both houses on Tuesday, and then session was held on Wednesday and Thursday.
The NYSCA was under the impression that offices for doctors of chiropractic would be included in Phase 2 as part of Professional Services. However, in the Phase 2 guidance issued by Empire State Development, the listing for Professional Services has been removed.
As you are aware, “emergency chiropractic services” have been deemed an “essential business” during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have been able to ascertain that the best interpretation of this language means, urgent and necessary chiropractic care.
As NY begins to reopen, there is some new guidance for operating a business as part of essential services. In summary, you must have a detailed safety plan and be following the phase one guidelines.
Recently, DCs may have witnessed monies from HHS deposited into their bank accounts and should have received follow-up emails requesting that they “attest” in order to keep the funding. The NYSCA previously emailed the membership regarding the HHS funding, which is part of the CARES Act.
The NYSCA is pleased to share with you the following educational opportunity from National Government Services. This platform will allow you to hear about the latest Medicare education from the NGS Provider Outreach and Education team and ask your questions immediately following.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, New York’s chiropractors continue to do their best to serve their patients and communities. A reminder for those that chiropractors that remain open as part of Essential Business during this state of emergency- you need to still practice under the current scope of practice.
Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has issued an Executive Order directing employers to provide essential workers with cloth or surgical masks free of charge to wear when directly interacting with the public, effective tomorrow at 8pm.
A NYSCA member states, then asks: "I am a self-employed, sole proprietor and I am closing my office due to the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. As a chiropractor can I apply to one of the state unemployment insurance offices to collect unemployment insurance compensation?"
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai recently announced his plan for a COVID-19 Telehealth Program to support health care providers responding to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. As part of the CARES Act, Congress appropriated $200 million to the FCC to support health care providers’ use of telehealth services in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some good news for doctors amidst the Corona Virus crisis: Some doctors may already be seeing this money in their account; you may be seeing it in your account soon.
In order to increase cash flow to providers of services and suppliers impacted by the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has expanded our current Accelerated and Advance Payment Program to a broader group of Medicare Part A providers and Part B suppliers. The expansion of this program is only for the duration of the public health emergency. Details on the eligibility, and the request process are outlined below. The information below reflects the passage of the CARES Act (P.L. 116-136).
The CDC has updated its guidance regarding exposure to COVID-19 for essential workers, those who are part of the critical infrastructure. The update is here:
We continue to address the developing needs of chiropractic patients during the covid-19 crisis. We have been able to achieve a measure of clarity regarding NY's updated definition of essential services, including "Emergency Chiropractic Services".
There are important developments in the COVID-19 crisis here in NY. Empire State Development has updated the guidance on the definition of Essential Services. It has now been formalized and includes language which notes 'emergency chiropractic services' are essential. This would indicate that face to face chiropractic services that are non-emergency would not be considered essential.
