Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Resources for CMS members

Many members, especially those in small or solo practices, have reached out with concerns and questions about how to keep their doors open during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The Colorado Medical Society is working closely with state and federal officials to provide support for physicians. 

Among many other activities, the Colorado Medical Society joined in signing onto a letter to Congressional leadership on March 25, 2020, regarding inclusion of support for physician practices in any economic stimulus package. Read the letter here.  

Article, 4/13/20: First distribution from the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund on its way to providers 

Article, 4/28/20: Money is going fast; hurry to take advantage of latest COVID-19 relief package 

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides small business guidance and loan resources.  Click here to learn about all SBA loan and debt relief options: 

• Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) 

  • 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. You must apply through a lender. View a list of lenders participating in the PPP by state as of April 23. If you wish to begin preparing your application, you can download a copy of the PPP borrower application form to see the information that will be requested from you when you apply with a lender. 

• Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) 

  • The Economic Injury Disaster Loan is an established program that helps small businesses and non-profits overcome the loss of revenue during a declared disaster such as a hurricane, major fire, or, in this case, the COVID-19 pandemic. This loan includes a $10,000 advance (if you apply). Apply online when EIDL becomes available again. 

• SBA Express Bridge Loans 

  • Enables small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 quickly. 

• SBA Debt Relief 

  • The SBA is providing a financial reprieve to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act originally passed on March 27, 2020, and included the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund.  HHS has provided a CARES Act Provider Relief Fund Application Guide. 

• The CARES Act Provider Relief Fund Payment Attestation Portal is now open. Providers who have been allocated a payment must sign an attestation confirming receipt of the funds and agree to the terms and conditions within 30 days of payment.  45 days of payment. ***HHS has extended the deadline for healthcare providers to attest to receipt of payments from the Provider Relief Fund and accept the Terms and Conditions. Providers will now have 45 days, increased from 30 days, from the date they receive a payment to attest and accept the Terms and Conditions or return the funds. Not returning the payment within 45 days of receipt will be viewed as acceptance of the Terms and Conditions. 

• General Allocation 

  • HHS has begun distributing the remaining $20 billion of the $50 billion general distribution to Medicare providers to augment providers' allocations so that the whole $50 billion general distribution is allocated proportional to providers' share of 2018 net patient revenue. Medicare providers for whom HHS did not have adequate cost report data on file will need to submit their revenue information to the General Distribution Portal to be able to receive additional general distribution funds and agree to the Terms and Conditions for this additional distribution. Providers who received their additional money automatically will still need to submit their revenue information so that it can be verified via the portal. Click here for FAQs on the General Distribution Portal - PDF. 

• Allocation for treatment of the uninsured 

  • The COVID-19 Uninsured Program Portal, which allows healthcare providers who have conducted COVID-19 testing or provided treatment for uninsured COVID-19 individuals on or after February 4, 2020 to request claims reimbursement, is now live. Providers can access the portal to register for the program at COVIDUninsuredClaim.HRSA.gov. 

• Allocation for COVID-19 high impact areas 

• Allocation for rural providers 

• Allocation for Indian Health Service 

• Additional allocations 

  • There are some providers who will receive further, separate funding, including providers that solely take Medicaid and skilled nursing facilities. 

The expansion and streamlining of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Accelerated and Advance Payment Program has reduced processing times for a request of an accelerated or advance payment to between 4-6 days, down from the previous timeframe of 3-4 weeks. The advance and accelerated payments are a loan that providers must pay back. The fact sheet on the accelerated/advance payment process and how to submit a request can be found here: Fact Sheet. Providers can also contact their Medicare Administrative Contractor for any questions. ***CMS has paused these loans as of April 26 to reevaluate the program. The AMA wrote to CMS on April 28 strongly urging the agency to quickly reinstate the program with more flexible terms and to expand this program to Medicaid providers.*** 

Financial support for providers continues to evolve and we are committed to provide you the most up-to-date information and resources possible; please check back for more information as it is available. 
 

Additional Resources 

• AMA Summary of the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (COVID 3.5), 4/24/20 

• Key COVID-19 Economic Relief Opportunities for Employers (Wynne Health Group) 

• MGMA: Key provisions affecting medical groups in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act 

• AMA Summary of Provisions in CARES Act 

• CMS Press Release regarding financial relief for Medicare providers 

• CMS Cash Flow Triage for Small Business 

•  EXPANSION OF THE ACCELERATED AND ADVANCE PAYMENTS PROGRAM FOR PROVIDERS AND SUPPLIERS DURING COVID-19 EMERGENCY 

• CARES Act Provider Relief Fund 

The Small Business Navigator is the first point of contact for new and existing business owners with questions about federal, state and local licensing requirements. The navigator also provides referrals to a variety of state and federal assistance programs and local small business training. In addition, the navigator maintains a comprehensive database of federal, state and local regulatory and permitting requirements. SMALL BUSINESS COVID-19 DISASTER RESPONSE HOTLINE: 303-860-5881 ((OPEN MONDAY-FRIDAY 8AM-5PM)) 
 

Updated April 30, 2020