CMS Issues Guidance to Help MA & Part D Plans Respond to COVID-19

In a memorandum issued on March 10, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services outlines the flexibilities Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D plans have to waive certain requirements to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. These flexibilities include:

• Waiving cost-sharing for COVID-19 tests
• Waiving cost-sharing for COVID-19 treatments in doctor’s offices or emergency rooms and services delivered via telehealth
• Removing prior authorizations requirements
• Waiving prescription refill limits
• Relaxing restrictions on home or mail delivery of prescription drugs
• Expanding access to certain telehealth services

On March 9, the agency issued guidance on the screening, treatment, and transfer procedures healthcare workers must follow when interacting with patients to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in a hospice setting. CMS also issued additional guidance specific to nursing homes to help control and prevent the spread of the virus.

View additional information from CMS here.