04/30/2020
COVID-19 Updates
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Guidelines for Healthcare Re-Start
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Re-Cap of Federal Assistance
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Academy Webinars for Ophthalmology Practices
Guidelines for Re-Starting Healthcare in Ohio
Following an announcement earlier this week that Ohio will resume elective procedures and surgeries on May 1—the first step in fully restarting Ohio’s healthcare system amid the COVID-19 pandemic—the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has released guidelines for implementing this process.
Under the order that takes effect on May 1:
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All healthcare procedures that do not require an overnight stay may move forward. This includes outpatient surgeries, diagnostic testing and imaging, and dental procedures.
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Procedures that were still allowed, despite the original March 17 order prohibiting elective procedures that require personal protective equipment (PPE), will continue.
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And physicians and medical offices must maintain patient and employee safety standards, including assuring proper levels of PPE for staff, adhere to social distancing guidelines, and have the ability to test patients.
Re-Cap of Federal Financial Assistance Available
There are a variety of programs provided by the federal government to support healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic, some specific to physicians and healthcare providers and others more general to small businesses.
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CARES Act Direct Relief Payment
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CMS Suspends Advanced Payment Program
and Reevaluates Accelerated Payment Program
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Stabilization of Health Insurance Programs
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Paycheck Protection Program
Academy Offering Webinars to
Help Practices Recover
The American Academy of Ophthalmology is offering a series of webinars and podcasts to help ophthalmology practices restart the practices amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Two events are scheduled for next week:
Community Q&A: Things to Consider as You
Prepare to Reopen Your Practice
Monday, May 4, 4 p.m.
Join Dr. Sonny Goel, Academy trustee-at-large; Ann Hulett, AAOE board member and Albert Castillo, former AAOE board chair for an informative discussion on what ophthalmologists and practice administrators need to consider as practices begin to reopen.
Register now >
Retina Community Q&A:
Getting Your Practice Back to Capacity
Wednesday, May 6, 7:30 p.m. PT.
Join Dr. Michael X. Repka, Academy medical director for governmental affairs; Dr. David B. Glasser, Academy secretary for federal affairs; Dr. George A. Williams, Academy past president; and Cherie McNett, Academy director of health policy for an interactive discussion of steps needed to get your retina practice back to capacity.
Register now >
To share your COVID-19 experience or ask a question, contact OOS Director Reginald Fields.
Stay Current on the Latest:
Coronavirus.ohio.gov OSMA.org/coronavirus