COVID-19

The Department of Health and Human Services today announced workplace guidance on the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act’s applicability to disclosures and requests for information about whether a person has received a COVID-19 vaccine.

Interpol has published an article COVID-19 Cyberthreats to discuss threats that have arisen due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

CMS announced amended terms for payments issued under the Accelerated and Advance Payment (AAP) Program as required by recent action by President Trump and Congress. This Medicare loan program allows CMS to make advance payments to providers, which are typically used in emergency situations. Under the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act, repayment will now begin one year from the issuance date of each provider or supplier’s accelerated or advance payment. CMS issued $106 billion in payments to providers and suppliers in order to alleviate the financial burden health care providers faced while experiencing cash flow issues in the early stages of combating the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency.