As THA works to support member hospitals in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is much being done to ensure the state and federal government addresses unique needs of hospitals. Below you will find information and resources related to these efforts.
No. 14 – An Order Suspending Provisions of Certain Statutes and Rules in Order to Facilitate the Treatment and Containment of COVID-19
No. 18 – An Order to Reduce the Spread of COVID-19 by Limiting Non-Emergency Healthcare Procedures
No. 25 – An Order to Reduce the Spread of COVID-19 by Limiting Non-Emergency Healthcare Procedures
No. 29 – An Order Amending Executive Order No. 17 to Reopen Dining in Restaurants
No. 31 – An Order to Reduce the Spread of COVID-19 by Limiting Non-Emergency Dental Procedures
No. 52 – An Order Extending Remote Notarization and Witnessing of Documents to Further Contain COVID-19
No. 53 – An Order Regarding Limited Liability Protection for Health Care Providers in Response to COVID-19
No. 54 – An Order Providing Local Governments with Authority Concerning Face Coverings
No. 58 – An Order Terminating Executive Order No. 53 Upon Limited Liability Legislation Becoming Law
No. 61 – An Order Extending Remote Notarization and Witnessing of Documents
No. 63 – An Order to Facilitate the Continued Response to COVID-19 and Extend Certain, Targeted Provisions
No. 64 – An Order Extending Remote Notarization and Witnessing of Documents
No. 66 – An Order Extending Remote Notarization and Witnessing of Documents
No. 72 – An Order Extending Remote Notarization and Witnessing of Documents
No. 73 – An Order to Facilitate the Continued Response to COVID-19 by Extending Executive Order Provisions
The Tennessee Department of Health has issued letters for acute care hospitals and behavioral health providers on the process to submit a staffing plan for approval prior to utilizing these new provisions for student staffing flexibility.
No. 80 – An Order Amending Executive Order No. 77
No. 81 – Limited State of Emergency to Facilitate Recovery and Federal Compliance
No. 82 – Limited State of Emergency to Facilitate Recovery and Federal Compliance
No. 83 – An Order to Facilitate the Continued Response to COVID-19
No. 84 – An Order Regarding Mask Requirements in Schools
No. 89 – An Order Extending Executive Order 84
THA is working with state and federal leaders to waive certain regulatory requirements so that Tennessee hospitals can prioritize high quality, safe care during the declared state and federal disaster. The following provides the status of waivers of operational and financial requirements for Tennessee hospitals during the COVID-19 emergency.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
- CMS Accelerated/Advance Payment Program; CMS fact sheet; PGBA request forms (3/30/20); AHA Accelerated and Advance Payment Plan Update
- Extension for Inpatient Prospective Payment System Wage Index Occupational Mix Survey Submission. CMS Wage Index website (3/30/20)
Federal Waiver Requests
The Secretary of Health and Human Services may issue 1135 Waivers if the following two conditions are met:
- The Secretary must have declared a Public Health Emergency.
- The President must have declared an emergency or major disaster either through a Stafford Act Declaration or National Emergencies Act Declaration.
Waivers Granted & Waiver Request Form
- Blanket Waivers Granted by CMS; AHA Advisory (3/30/20)
- THA Waivers Granted by CMS (3/26/2020)
- Blanket Waivers Granted by CMS (3/13/20)
- Waivers Granted by HHS (3/13/20)
Once an 1135 Waiver is authorized, health care providers can submit requests for other relief that may be possible outside the authority to either the State Survey Agency or CMS Regional Office. Individual hospitals submitting waivers under Section 1135 must email them to the Atlanta Regional Office at: ROATLFM@cms.hhs.gov.
Waiver Resources
- Announcement of Federal Waiver Request Tools (3/22/20)
- 1135 Waiver Template (3/22/20) CMS
- Medicaid Disaster State Plan Amendment Template and Instructions (3/22/20) CMS
The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. There is no fee to apply for a Paycheck Protection Program Loan.
For small businesses to apply, they will work directly with their participating lender. Your local small businesses and eligible entities can find their closest participating lender at sba.gov/paycheckprotection/find.
Who can apply?
- This program is for any small business with less than 500 employees (including sole proprietorships, independent contractors and self-employed persons), private non-profit organization or 501(c)(19) veterans organizations affected by coronavirus/COVID-19.
- Businesses in certain industries may have more than 500 employees if they meet the SBA’s size standards for those industries.
- Small businesses in the hospitality and food industry with more than one location could also be eligible if their individual locations employ less than 500 workers
In addition to the Paycheck Protection Program, the SBA has a number of other resources available to affected Small Businesses, such as an Economic Injury Loan which now includes an advance of up to $10,000. Also, the SBA has also proactively offered debt relief for existing SBA loans.
Please continue to share with your constituents information about SBA’s COVID-19 specific relief options, including paycheck protection.
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