Coronavirus (COVID-19)

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Hospital Data Reporting Tips

HHS, IDHW and IHA have noted several areas that continue to impact hospital reporting and have created this resource of common issues.

{new 11/3} – In assessing the most recent data submissions, IHA noted that data on hospital capacity, especially as they help communicate the staffing challenges many facilities are experiencing, are critically important. When entering data for hospital bed reporting it is important to report staffed bed availability. Additionally, it is important that facilities are using the most current version of TeleTracking’s template when uploading which includes all data items that are required or may be required in the future.  Data items related to staffed beds include:

  • All hospital beds: Total number of all staffed inpatient and outpatient beds in your hospital, including all overflow, observation, and active surge/expansion beds used for inpatients and for outpatients (includes all ICU, ED, and observation).
  • All adult hospital beds: Total number of all staffed inpatient and outpatient adult beds in your hospital, including all overflow and active surge/expansion beds for inpatients and for outpatients (includes all ICU, ED, and observation).
  • All hospital inpatient beds: Total number of staffed inpatient beds in your hospital including all overflow, observation, and active surge/expansion beds used for inpatients (includes all ICU beds). This is a subset of #2.
  • Adult hospital inpatient beds: Total number of staffed inpatient adult beds in your hospital including all overflow and active surge/expansion beds used for inpatients (includes all designated ICU beds). This is also a subset of #2.
  • All hospital inpatient bed occupancy: Total number of staffed inpatient beds that are occupied.
  • Adult hospital inpatient bed occupancy: Total number of staffed inpatient adult beds that are occupied.
  • ICU Beds: Total number of staffed inpatient ICU beds. This is a subset of #2 and #3.
  • Adult ICU beds: Total number of staffed inpatient ICU beds. This is a subset of #2 and #3.
  • ICU bed occupancy: Total number of staffed inpatient ICU beds that are occupied. This is a subset of #4.
  • Adult ICU bed occupancy: Total number of staffed inpatient adult ICU beds that are occupied. This is also a subset of #4.

Other Notes

  • Facilities must report on most fields every day. If facilities are unable to report on actual weekend days or other days when the facility is not staffed, back-reporting can only be done in TeleTracking.
  • Complete reporting must include data in all applicable fields. Blank fields can count against a facility’s reporting status. If, for instance, when hospitals don’t admit patients in the prior 24 hours, they still need to enter “0” for all age strata to assure complete reporting. Alternately, if a particular data point doesn’t normally apply to the facility, they should also enter “0” in the field.
  • Facilities that are part of health systems with centrally managed supplies cannot skip PPE related fields. They should – according to the most recent guidance – report some portion of the centrally managed supplies. This allocation can be determined by the hospital system and HHS has not offered formal guidance on this point.
  • Facilities using IRTS to upload the data to HHS must mark “yes” on the Opt-In field on Hospital Capacity to facilitate the data push. These facilities must report daily on: Hospital Prev Day, Hospital Capacity, Hospital Patients, and Hospital PPE & Supplies tabs and meet the frequency reporting requirements noted on each page. The daily push from IRTS to TeleTracking happens at 2:30pm, so updates should be completed before that time to be included.
  • Hospitals that use a combination of IRTS and TeleTracking for data reporting should be aware that IRTS data uploads can overwrite data that have already been entered into TeleTracking for a given day this is particularly problematic when data have been entered into Teletracking to back-report missed days of reporting.

Code and Policy Changes enacted during pandemic

Focus AreaFederal, State or GuidanceBrief on changeLink to documentationNotes
Licensure - ProvidersStateExpanded, temporary, short-term, and one-time license changes.Board of Nursing response to COVID-19
IDAPAStateLimits prescriptions for certain drugsBoard of Pharmacy MemoMarch 26 memo outlines rules limiting chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine and oral azithromycin prescriptions.
Licensure - ProvidersGuidanceGuidelines for hosptals using sign language interpreters for the deaf and hard of hearing.Guidelines for working with sign language interpretersApril 3 memo provides guidelines and a list of licensed sign language interpreters from the Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Licensure - ProvidersStateIdaho Board of Medicine extends spring license renewal to Oct. 1Board of Medicine License Renewal Notice
Licensure - Facility CertificationStateRules and Minimum Standards for Hospitals (IDAPA 16.03.14) Addresses any section that is more restrictive than CMS guidelines, in accordance with Senate Bill 1354.Additional rule waivers from Governor's ProclamationIncludes areas such as seclusion and restraints, audio/video monitoring, informed consent and patient request for medical records.
Licensure - Facility CertificationStateRules and Minimum Standards for Hospitals
Licensing Provisions (IDAPA16.03.14.150.03(b))
b. Each license shall specify the maximum allowable number of permanent beds in a facility whether set up for use or not, exclusive of labor and recovery beds, that number shall not be exceeded. Waiving this rule will allow hospitals to exceed their licensed bed capacity.
MedicaidStateMedicaid Basic Plan Benefits - Early Intervention Services
(IDAPA 16.03.09.586.01) Suspends the language dealing with signed physician recommendation for health-related services provided to eligible children.
Link to IDAPA Code - page 74Currently a physician signature is required within 30 days for all changes to a child’s plan.  As we are moving ITP to telehealth we will not be able to get physician’s signatures in time.  The physician signature requirement should be waived for the duration of this crisis.
MedicaidStateMedicaid Basic Plan Benefits - Conditions for Payment
(IDAPA 16.03.09.210.07)
Suspends rule requiring referral from participant’s assigned primary care provider for serves.
Link to IDAPA Code - page 22Services provided without a referral, when one is required, are typically not covered and are subject to sanctions, recoupment, or both. Suspending this will allow for medically necessary services to be provided in a responsive and safe manner.
MedicaidStateMedicaid Basic Plan Benefits-Healthy Connections: Procedural Requirements
(IDAPA 16.03.09.563.01)
Suspends language dealing with public notice of changes to Healthy Connections requirements for referrals, primary care reimbursement, or provider duties.
Link to IDAPA Code - page 61Suspending public noticing and comment requirements for changes to Health Connections will allow for more timely response to participant and provider needs.
MedicaidStateMedicaid Basic Plan Benefits - Habilitative Skill Building
(IDAPA 16.03.09.573.05.a.i) Suspends language dealing with prior authorization for children's habilitation intervention services.
Link to IDAPA Code - page 65
MedicaidStateMedicaid Basic Plan Benefits-Assessment and Clinical Treatment Plan (ACTP)
(IDAPA 16.03.09.573.05.e.iv)
Suspends rule language requiring observation for assessments.
Link to IDAPA Code - page 69To facilitate social distancing and ensure children are able to access services as needed, Medicaid requests suspension of this subpart. By suspending this rule, IDHW will be able to allow completion of needed assessments for services without face-to-face observation.
MedicaidStateMedicaid Basic Plan Benefits - Durable Medical Equipment and Supplies: Procedural Requirements
(IDAPA 16.03.09.753. 05 )
Suspends language requiring public notification of changes to prior authorization requirements.
Link to IDAPA Code - page 111Suspending public noticing and comment requirements for changes to Durable Medical Equipment prior authorizations will allow for more timely response to participant and provider needs.
MedicaidStateMedicaid Basic Plan Benefits
Early Intervention Services Program Requirements - Physician Recommendation
(IDAPA 16.03.09.586.01)
Suspends rule dealing with requirement for signed physician recommendation 30 days prior to services in order to seek reimbursement.
Link to IDAPA Code - page 74To facilitate social distancing and ensure children are able to access necessary services without undue delay. By suspending this portion of rule, IDHW will be able to allow children to receive medically necessary services, and allow providers to bill for said services, even when the physician’s signature has not been obtained within the 30day timeframe. The provider would be expected to obtain the physician’s signature when reasonable, or within 30 days of the end of the state of emergency.
MedicaidStateMedicaid Cost Sharing - Medicaid Outpatient Services Subject to CoPayments
(IDAPA 16.03.18.320)
Suspends copay requirement for payment.
Link to IDAPA Code - page 7Suspend copay requirement for payment and failure to pay penalties to alleviate financial barriers to medical services and administrative burden for providers during the intake process.
MedicaidStateMedicaid Provider Information Resources and Reimbursement for Diagnosis and Treatment of the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Medicaid Information Release March 13
Infection Control
New Codes Specific to Coronavirus
Telehealth Reimbursement Options
Urgent Care Services
Hospital Stays
Prescription Drugs
Home Health and Hospice Agencies
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Providers
Dialysis Facilities
TelehealthStateIdaho Telehealth Access Act
Provider Patient Relationship
Idaho Code 54-5705
Suspends language dealing with provider patient relationship.
Idaho Code 54-5705Proclamation
TelehealthStateIdaho Telehealth Access Act - Prescriptions Idaho Code 54-570754-5707. PRESCRIPTIONS. (1) A provider with an established provider-patient relationship, including a relationship established pursuant to section 54-5705, Idaho Code, may issue prescription drug orders using telehealth services within the scope of the provider’s license and according to any applicable laws, rules and regulations, including the Idaho community standard of care; provided however, that the prescription drug shall not be a controlled substance unless prescribed in compliance with 21 U.S.C. section 802(54)(A).
(2) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to expand the prescriptive authority of any provider beyond what is authorized by the provider’s licensing board.
TelehealthStateBoard of Medicine Re Out-of-state practice of telemedicine - Out-of-state physicians and physician assistants with a license in good standing in another state will not need an Idaho license to provide telehealth to patients located in Idaho during the response to COVID-19. Board of Medicine ProclamationBoard of Medicine list of suspended rules https://bom.idaho.gov/BOMPortal/BOM/Procedures/Temporary_Suspension_of_Rules_for_COVID-19_Response.pdf
TelehealthStateBoard of Medicine - Out-of-state supervision of PAs
Out-of-state physicians wishing to supervise PA practice in Idaho may do so. They simply complete the COVID-19 Modified Supervising Physician Attestation form found on the Board website and maintain the form along with COVID-19 Modified DOS form at their place of practice.
Supervising physician protocol
TelehealthStateBoard of Medicine - Prescribing controlled substances Prescribing controlled substances via telehealth must always comply with Federal law and HSS guidelance related to COVID-19
TelehealthStateMedicaid - All Medicaid Providers
To inhibit the spread of COVID-19, and to respond to the societal disruptions taking place, Medicaid is immediately moving to reimburse for a wide array of services under a telehealth option.
Medicaid telehealth information release, updated April 9Any procedure delivered via telehealth may be covered when:
• The service can be safely and effectively delivered via telehealth
• The service fully meets the code definition when provided via telehealth
• The service is billed with a GT modifier
• All other existing coverage criteria are met.
TelehealthStateMedicaid - Occupational, Physical and Speech-Luanguage Therapy Providers
Implements changes to telehealth for therapy services.
Medicaid Information Release The changes to telehealth for therapy service providers include:
• Orders and plans of care do not have to specify that services are provided through telehealth.
• Occupational and Physical Therapy Assistants may provide services via telehealth in accordance with the supervision and service requirements of their licensure board.
• Participants may receive telehealth service in any place of service.
TelehealthStateMedicaid - COVID-19 Telehealth HIPAA GuidanceMedicaid Information ReleaseDuring the COVID-19 public health emergency, Idaho Medicaid Providers subject to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Rules may seek to communicate with participants, and provide telehealth services, through remote communications technologies. Some of these technologies, and the manner in which they are used, may not fully comply with the requirements of the HIPAA Rules.
Licensure - ProvidersStatePhysician Supervision of Physician Assistants
(Idaho Code 54-1807A )
Idaho Code 54-1807AIdaho Board of Medicine list of Temporarily Suspended Rules https://bom.idaho.gov/BOMPortal/BOM/Procedures/Temporary_Suspension_of_Rules_for_COVID-19_Response.pdf
Licensure - ProvidersStateRules of the Board of Medicine for the Licensure to Practice Medicine and Osteopathic Medicine
BOM will expedite issuing temporary licenses to qualified retired or inactive physicians and will suspend certain requirements for licensure applications during this emergency.
Suspends 22.01.01.050, Qualifications for LicensureBOM will ensure that applicants have the required education, training, and experience for licensure and have no criminal or disciplinary background that could lead to the provision of health care that does not meet the community standard of care.
Licensure - ProvidersStateRules for Board of Medicine - CME Requirements
BOM will delay the CME requirement to the licensure renewal period following the end of the state of emergency.
Suspends 22.01.01.079, Continuing Medical Education (CME) RequiresBOM does not believe that burdening licensees with continuing education requirements is appropriate during the response to COVID-19.
Licensure - ProvidersStateBoard of Medicine - Rules for for the Licensure to Practice Medicine and Osteopathic Medicine
Define the duties of a physician when supervising a PA during this time of emergency. If the PA is supervised, the supervising physician may not be able to perform all the duties required by this section during this emergency. Suspending this rule allows for flexible and responsive practice for PAs and supervising physicians.
Suspends 22.01.01.162, Duties of Supervising PhysicianPursuant to IDAPA 22.01.03.031 “Participation in Disaster and Emergency Care,” PAs may provide the patient services they are able to provide during a disaster without supervision.
Licensure - ProvidersStateRules of the Board of Medicine for the Licensure to Practice Medicine and Osteopathic Medicine
In order to allow qualified interns and residents to autonomously triage, diagnose, and treat patients, BOM is waiving the supervision requirement.
Suspends 22.01.01.163, Duties of Supervising Physicians of Interns and ResidentsBOM is ensuring safety by only allowing this autonomous practice for interns and residents that have achieved the necessary education and clinical training.
Licensure - ProvidersStateRules of the Board of Medicine for the Licensure to Practice Medicine and Osteopathic Medicine
The terms of this subsection being suspeded require a physician to register as a supervising physician as a prerequisite to supervising a PA. To provide flexibility in PA practice during this emergency, the Board waived the requirement for a physician to register to supervise PAs.
Suspends 22.01.01.201, Registration of Supervising PhysicianPursuant to IDAPA 22.01.03.031 “Participation in Disaster and Emergency Care,” PAs may provide the patient services they are able to provide during a disaster without supervision. PAs may still be supervised but are not required to be supervised to practice.
Licensure - ProvidersState Rules of the Board of Medicine for the Licensure to Practice Medicine and Osteopathic Medicine
BOM will issue temporary licenses to qualified residents and interns, thus eliminating the need for registration. Safety is maintained through the temporary licensing rather than registration.
Suspends 22.01.01.243, Resident and Intern Registration
Licensure - ProvidersStateGeneral Provisions of the Board of Medicine
BOM will expedite issuing temporary licenses to qualified retired or inactive physicians, physician assistants, and respiratory therapists and will suspend certain requirements for licensure applications during this emergency.
Suspends 22.01.05.100, General Qualifications for Licensure BOM will ensure that applicants have the required education, training, and experience for licensure and have no criminal or disciplinary background that could lead to the provision of health care that does not meet the community standard of care.
Licensure - ProvidersStateGeneral Provisions of the Board of Medicine
During this time of emergency, the Board may be unable to renew all current licensees’ licenses in the time required by this section. In addition, licensees may be unable during emergency response to renew their licenses in the time required by this Rule. Suspending this rule eliminates the paperwork and time required to complete annual licensing renewals, thus alleviating the strain on licensees during the COVID-19 response.
Suspends 22.01.05.101, License or Permit Expiration and Renewal
Licensure - ProvidersStateGeneral Provisions of the Board of Medicine
BOM will expedite issuing temporary licenses (per IDAPA 22.01.01.076) to qualified retired or inactive physicians and will suspend certain requirements for licensure applications during this emergency.
Suspends 22.01.05.102, Licensure by EndorsementBOM will ensure that applicants have the required education, training, and experience for licensure and have no criminal or disciplinary background that could lead to the provision of health care that does not meet the community standard of care.
Licensure - ProvidersStateGeneral Provisions of the Board of Medicine
BOM’s temporary license for COVID-19 is more streamlined than the provisional licensure in this section, and can be expedited better to get practitioners out into the field more quickly. Safety is maintained through the temporary license process.
Suspends 22.01.05.103, Provisional Licensure
Licensure - ProvidersStateGeneral Provisions of the Board of Medicin
During this time of emergency, the Board may be unable to meet the 10-day requirement after commencement of an investigation to notify a licensee that he or she is under investigation.
Suspends 22.01.05.152, Notice of Complaints
Licensure - ProvidersStateGeneral Provisions of the Board of Medicine
During this time of emergency, Idaho Code Section 54-1804(1)(d) allows licensees from other states to practice medicine, including telehealth, in Idaho during a disaster. In addition, by Emergency Proclamation, the Board has waived the requirement for an Idaho license to practice telemedicine in the state during the COVID-19 response.
Suspends 22.01.05.202, Idaho License Required
Licensure - ProvidersStateRules for the Licensure of Physician Assistants
PAs may provide the patient services they are able to provide during a disaster without supervision. The terms of this subsection regarding a delegation of services agreement and scope of practice as defined by the supervising physician’s scope of practice will not necessarily be met during this emergency.
Suspends 22.01.03.028, Scope of PracticePursuant to IDAPA 22.01.03.031 “Participation in Disaster and Emergency Care.” Suspending this rule allows for flexible and responsive practice for PAs and supervising physicians.
Licensure - ProvidersStateRules for the Licensure of Physician Assistants
PAs may provide the patient services they are able to provide during a disaster without supervision. The terms of this subsection regarding supervising physician, delegation of services agreement, and change of supervising physician will not necessarily be met during this emergency.
Suspends 22.01.03.030, (03) Supervising Physician, (04) Delegation of Services Agreement, and (05) Change of Supervising PhysicianPursuant to IDAPA 22.01.03.031 “Participation in Disaster and Emergency Care.” Suspending this rule allows for PAs to practice with more flexibility.
Licensure - ProvidersStateRules for the Licensure of Physician Assistants
BOM will provide temporary licensure to this cohort rather than providing them a Graduate Physician Assistant license. This allows a more expedited path to practice in response to the state of emergency.
Suspends 22.01.03.036, Graduate Physician Assistant Safety is unaffected as the graduate physician assistant is merely licensed under a different title.
Licensure - ProvidersStateRules for the Licensure of Physician Assistants
PAs may provide the patient services they are able to provide during a disaster without supervision. The terms of this subsection require prescriptions to be written only in accordance with a delegation of services agreement, which may not be in place during the emergency.
Suspends 22.01.03.042, Prescription WritingPursuant to IDAPA 22.01.03.031 “Participation in Disaster and Emergency Care.” Suspending this rule guarantees that PAs can write the prescriptions they deem necessary to treat patients.
Licensure - ProvidersStateRules for Licensure of Respiratory Therapists and Permitting of Polysomnographers
BOM will expedite issuing temporary licenses to qualified retired or inactive respiratory therapists and will suspend certain requirements for licensure applications during this emergency.
Suspends 22.01.11.031, General Provisions for Licensure BOM will ensure that applicants have the required education, training, and experience for licensure and have no criminal or disciplinary background that could lead to the provision of health care that does not meet the community standard of care.
Licensure - ProvidersStateRules for Licensure of Respiratory Therapists and Permitting of Polysomnographers
During response to this emergency, licensees may be unable to complete their required annual continuing education in the time required by this Rule.
Suspends 22.01.11.032, Continuing EducationSuspension of the rule allows licensees to focus on treating patients rather than educational requirements.
Licensure - ProvidersStateRules for Licensure of Respiratory Therapists and Permitting of Polysomnographers
During response to this emergency, licensees may be unable to meet the supervision requirements of this Rule. Suspension of the rule allows RTs greater flexibility in treating patients.
Suspends 22.01.11.033, Supervision of Respiratory Care
Licensure - ProvidersStateRules of the Idaho Board of Nursing
Allow senior nursing students to work with a temporary license beginning 30 days prior to scheduled graduation.
Allow such temporary licenses to be extended beyond three months.
23.01.01.040.03, Temporary License By Examination
Licensure - ProvidersState Idaho Board of Nursing
Streamline application and waive all application fees and background checks for Idaho nurses with inactive licenses.
Suspends 23.01.01.063.01-03, License Reinstatement of Non-Renewed Inactive License
Licensure - ProvidersState Idaho Board of Nursing
Waive application for reinstatement of emeritus license to current status. (Idaho Retired Nurses)
Suspend 23.01.01.063.04, Reinstatement of Emeritus License to Current Status
Licensure - ProvidersStateIdaho Board of Nursing
1. Waive the requirement for Idaho healthcare organizations to submit an application and fee. 2. Waive requirements for Nurse Education Programs to submit transcript details, and instead submit a list of qualtified students. 3. Waive application fee requirement for students. 4. Allow Nurse Apprentice authorizations to be extended beyond three months.
Suspends 23.01.01.076.04-05, Nurse Apprentice
Licensure - ProvidersStateIdaho Board of Nursing
Waive temporary license fees for APRN nurses licensed in non-compact licensure states.
Suspends 23.01.01.901.02, Temporary License Fee
Licensure - ProvidersStateIdaho Board of Nursing
Waive temporary license fees for RN and LPN nurses licensed in non-compact licensure states.
Suspends 23.01.01.901.06, Temporary License Fee
Licensure - ProvidersStateIdaho Board of Pharmacy - Pharmacists
During this pandemic pharmacists need to be permitted to use their professional judgement as to quantity when providing refills.
Suspend 27.01.01.402.03, Refill Authorization
Licensure - ProvidersStateIdaho Board of Pharmacy - Pharmacists
Agents for active immunization when prescribed for susceptible persons
54-1704(5)

Board of Pharmacy memo