WHA Info Center - Newsroom

Emergency COVID Response Strained Hospitals, Delayed Regular Care

April 27, 2021

WHAIC recently developed a 2020 COVID lookback. The lookback illustrates through data, analysis, and objective narrative the impacts of COVID on Wisconsin hospitals, health systems and their patients last year. It is important to put 2020 into some context and understand what our health care system has endured as the state addresses current and ongoing challenges, learns from experience, and looks forward.

Biden-Harris Administration Increases Medicare Payment for Life-Saving COVID-19 Vaccine

March 15, 2021

Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is increasing the Medicare payment amount for administering the COVID-19 vaccine. At a time when vaccine supply is growing, CMS is supporting provider efforts to expand capacity and ensure that all Americans can be vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible.

COVID-19 Vaccine Codes: Updated Effective Date for Pfizer-BioNTech

December 17, 2020

On December 11, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID‑19 Vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 for individuals 16 years of age and older. Review Pfizer’s Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers Administering Vaccine (Vaccination Providers) regarding the limitations of authorized use.

Medicare Part B Payment for COVID-19 Vaccines and Certain Monoclonal Antibodies during the Public Health Emergency

December 15, 2020

CMS has released a set of toolkits for providers, states and insurers to help the health care system prepare and assist in swiftly administering these products once they become available. These resources are designed to increase the number of providers that can administer the products and ensure adequate reimbursement for administration in Medicare, while making it clear to private insurers and Medicaid programs their responsibility to cover these products at no charge to beneficiaries.

Infographic: Coverage of Monoclonal Antibody Products to Treat COVID-19

December 09, 2020

An infographic for the coverage of monoclonal antibody products to treat COVID-19. These products help the body fight the virus or slow the virus' growth. Medicare beneficiaries have coverage without beneficiary cost sharing for these products when used as authorized or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) Billing

December 03, 2020

The FAQs in this document supplement the previously released FAQs: 1135 Waiver FAQs. A few answers in this document explain provisions from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law No. 116-136. CMS is thoroughly assessing this new legislation and new and revised FAQs will be released as implementation plans are announced.

Wisconsin Hospital Association Calls For Immediate State Action To Slow COVID-19 Spread

November 20, 2020

The Wisconsin Hospital Association is calling on Gov. Tony Evers and the Republican led state Legislature to work together and take immediate action to slow the spread of COVID-19 and help hospitals struggling to care for a growing surge of new patients.

FY 2021 IPPS Final Rule Has Significant MS-DRG Changes

September 24, 2020

The Medicare hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) final rule for fiscal year (FY) 2021 was published in the September 18 issue of the Federal Register. This final rule is effective October 1, 2020. AHIMA submitted comments on the IPPS proposed rule.

COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) Billing

September 03, 2020

The FAQs in this document supplement the previously released FAQs: 1135 Waiver FAQs. CMS notes that in many instances, the general statements of the FAQs referenced above have been superseded by COVID-19 specific legislation, emergency rules, and waivers granted under section 1135 of the Act specifically to address the COVD-19 public health emergency.

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