March 18, 2020|Client Alerts
Regulatory, compliance, and risk management, advice for hospitals, health systems, physician/physician groups, laboratories, and other providers. Health Care providers have all of the employment law concerns of any other business, but also have heightened workplace safety issues, because the public seeks care and treatment from them.
In addition, health care payors and providers are facing, and will continue to face, regulatory requirements related to their “front line” status. For example, both the California Department of Managed Healthcare and the Department of Insurance have issued directives to the payors under their jurisdiction that provide as follows:
- Immediately eliminating all cost-sharing and copays for COVID-19 related treatment (applies to delegated medical providers as well as plans)
- Coverage of all COVID-19 related treatment without need for prior authorization.
- No surprise or balance billing for related services and treatment.
- Waiver of prior authorization for prescription or other drugs for treatment.
Further, as reported cases increase, particularly in densely populated urban centers, providers and facilities are likely to experience substantial increases in demand and, owing to the resulting staffing costs, an uptick in expenses.
This communication is not intended to create or constitute, nor does it create or constitute, an attorney-client or any other legal relationship. No statement in this communication constitutes legal advice nor should any communication herein be construed, relied upon, or interpreted as legal advice. This communication is for general information purposes only regarding recent legal developments of interest, and is not a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information included herein without seeking appropriate legal advice on the particular facts and circumstances affecting that reader. For more information, visit www.buchalter.com.