COVID-19 Information
Emergency Preparedness
COVID-19 InformationReceive NHPCO’s COVID-19 Updates: please complete this form.
COVID-19 Updates Archive – PDFs by date.
COVID-19 Member-Only Resources – exclusively for NHPCO members.
Faces of Caring – Showcasing positive stories from providers in the field coping with COVID-19.
2021 COVID-19 Information
Vaccine
CDC
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- CMS COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Deadlines by State
- The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ Interim Recommendation for Allocating Initial Supplies of COVID-19 Vaccine — United States, 2020 (December 3, 2020)
- Vaccine Communications Toolkit for Health Care Providers
- Communicating with Patients about the Vaccine
- Healthcare Professionals: Preparing for COVID-19 Vaccination
- Frequently asked questions for the COVID-19 Vaccine
- Vaccinations for Health Care Workers
- Vaccination Clinical Training and Resources
- Vaccine Administration
- Household Checklist
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FDA
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- COVID-19 Vaccine Home Page – includes:
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- Emergency Use Authorization
- FDA approval process
- Other rapidly evolving content
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- COVID-19 Vaccine Home Page – includes:
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NIH
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- COVID-19 Home Page – includes:
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- Testing
- Treatment guidelines
- Strategic plan for research
- Other rapidly evolving content
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- COVID-19 Home Page – includes:
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NHPCO Webinars on COVID-19
Previous NHPCO Webinars on COVID-19
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- Government Funding Webinar #3: Strategies, Reporting, and Risk: Provider Relief Funding and PPP Loan Forgiveness
February 18, 2021 at 2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
– The slides will be emailed to those who participated in the webinar. NHPCO members will find the slides, recording and sample PPP Forgiveness form on the COVID-19 members page. - COVID-19 Update: Trauma-Informed Care Webinar - (06/25/20)
Download the webinar slides | Webinar recording - Webinar #2 of Government Funding Series – Dealing with Multiple Sources of CARES Act Funding and Preparation for Reporting, May 18, 2020 – The slides will be emailed to those who participated in the webinar. NHPCO members will find the slides, recording and sample PPP Forgiveness form on the COVID-19 members page.
- Webinar #1 of Government Funding Series – exclusively for NHPCO Members
Up to the Minute Information on the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund, May 7, 2020. Log into the website to access this members-only COVID-19 page. - NHPCO COVID-19 Discussion on Effective Virtual Visits – (04/27/20)
Download the webinar slides | Webinar recording | Summary of webinar questions - NHPCO COVID-19 Discussion of Latest Updates – (04/16/20)
Download the webinar slides | Webinar recording - Tips for a Successful Telehealth & Virtual Visit (04/13/20)
Download the webinar slides | Webinar recording - Demystifying Hospice Virtual Care in the COVID-19 Emergency (04/08/20); NHPCO members-only.
- Government Funding Webinar #3: Strategies, Reporting, and Risk: Provider Relief Funding and PPP Loan Forgiveness
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Information/Tools on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
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- COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Blanket Waivers – (12/01/20)
- Addressing Disparities in COVID-19 Impact on Minorities fact sheet – (HHS)
- Reopening Healthcare Facility Guide for Patients – (CMS)
- Policy Alert: H.R.7010, The Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 – visit the Alerts & Updates page for NHPCO members. (06/05/20)
- COVID-19 Bereavement Considerations – NHPCO resource (06/02/20)
- Social Isolation: Impact on Health and Interventions – NHPCO resource (06/01/20)
- COVID-19 Social Isolation and Palliative Medicine – an article by Dan Hoefer, MD
- Hospice Suspension of 2% Sequestration; Cap Impact – NHPCO resource (05/20/20)
- Pediatric Resources on COVID-19 – from the Pediatric Palliative Care Coalition
- CMS Frequently Asked Question from May 1 – Hospice excerpts (05/05/20)
- Hospice Aides and COVID-19 Quick Guide – NHPCO resource (05/01/20)
- CMS Coronavirus (COVID-19) Partner Toolkit – an online resource.
- COVID-19 Resource for Telehealth RN Case Manager and Triage Visits – thanks to Sutter Health AIM Program (04/24/20)
- COVID-19 Patient-Family teaching sheets – compiled by NHPCO (04/17/20)
- COVID-19 Ethical Framework Decision Making Guide – NHPCO resource (updated 04/22/20)
- COVID-19 Shared Decision-Making Tool – NHPCO resource (updated 04/22/20)
- Herramienta para la toma conjunta de decisiones en enfermedad por coronavirus – NHPCO shared-decision tool in Spanish (updated 04/22/20)
- Agency Preparedness for COVID-19 Pademic – NHPCO resource (04/10/20)
- Guidance on Role of Hospice in LTC Facilities during COVID-19 – resource developed by American Health Care Association, National Center for Assisted Living, and NHPCO (04/09/20)
- Quick Guide for Virtual Care – NHPCO resource (04/07/20)
- COVID-19: A Message from Edo Banach (04/03/20)
- NHPCO Fights for PPE for Hospice and Palliative Care Providers (04/02/20)
- Assistance with Paid Leave and Payroll Expenses During the Coronavirus Pandemic – NHPCO fact sheet (04/02/20)
- COVID-19 Flexibilities for Hospice Providers – NHPCO fact sheet (04/02/20)
- Regulatory Alert: Emergency Declaration 1135 Blanket Waiver for Hospice Providers – visit the Alerts & Updates page for NHPCO members.
- CMS Waives Hospice Requirements and Expands Telehealth in Response to COVID-19 – press release (03/31/20)
- Regulatory Alert: COVID-19 Accelerated/Advance Payments – visit the Alerts & Updates page for NHPCO members.
- COVID-19 Employee Screening Tool – from NHPCO (07/27/20)
- Policy Alert: Senate passes $2 Trillion COVID-19 “CARES Act” (03/26/20) – visit the Alerts & Updates page for NHPCO members. The President signed into law on 03/27/20.
- Federal 1135 Waiver FAQs – COVID-19 (03/25/20)
- Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention in Nursing Homes and Hospice (REVISED) – NHPCO Fact Sheet (3/14/20)
- Regulatory Alert: CMS Guidance to Hospice Providers (03/11/20) – visit the Alerts & Updates page for NHPCO members
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CARES Act Information – for hospices
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- CARES Act Funding Deadline Approaching: Providers Must Act by June 3, 2020 to Receive Additional Relief Fund General Distribution Payment – visit hhs.gov/providerrelief.
- FAQs on Provider Relief Fund General Distribution – Dept. of Health & Human Services (05/07/20)
- HHS Announces Deadline Extension to 45 Days for Signing Attestation (05/07/20)
- CDC/HRSA Provider Relief Fund Allocations Posted (05/07/20)
- Terms and Conditions for CARES Act Funding – shared by Husch Blackwell (04/14/20)
- Release of Emergency Funding for Hospice under the CARES Act (04/10/20)
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NHPCO Letters to CMS, legislators, and the Administration
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- NHPCO Letter to Biden-Harris respond to COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force Meeting Regarding Data Needs to Close Health Inequities (03/05/21)
- NHPCO Letter to The Honorable Chuck Schumer on Medicare Sequester Relief (03/02/21)
- NHPCO Letter to HHS for PHE Extension (01/05/21)
- HHS Response to NHPCO Letter to Amend COVID-19 Provider Relief Fund Reporting Requirements (12/2/20)
- NHPCO Letter HHS to Amend COVID-19 Provider Relief Fund Reporting Requirements (11/17/20)
- NHPCO Letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Operation Warp Speed Vaccination Prioritization and Hospice (10/21/20)
- NHPCO Letter to Administration on Congress extend the suspension of
the 2% Medicare sequestration payment reductions through the public health emergency period (10/26/20) - NHPCO Letter to Administration on COVID Provider Relief Fund Reporting Guidance (10/08/20)
- NHPCO Nursing Home Testing Letters (09/14/20 and 07/27/20)
- NHPCO Letter to HHS & CMS for Dedicated Provider Relief Funding for COVID-19 Testing (7/27/20)
- Extension of PHE (7/27/20)
- NHPCO Letter to Secretary Azar requesting a PHE Extension (June 26, 2020)
- NHPCO Submits Comments on President Trump’s Executive Order for Regulatory Relief (06/05/20)
- Updated National Stakeholder Legislative Request COVID-19 Package 4 (04/28/20)
- National Stakeholder Legislative Request COVID-19 Package 4 (04/03/20)
- NHPCO letter to Vice President Pence, Sec. Azar, and Admin. Verma requesting funding support for hospice (03/31/20)
- NHPCO letter to Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (03/27/20)
- National Hospice Stakeholder Groups Joint Request Letter for COVID-19 Response Package (03/17/20)
- NHPCO letter to CMS Administrator Verma requesting further guidance (03/12/20)
- NHPCO letter to the White House requesting 1135/Disaster waiver (03/10/2020)
- NHPCO letter to CMS on COVID-19 (03/06/2020)
- NHPCO Requests Guidance for Home-Based Providers (03/02/2020)
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Updates About Coronavirus (COVID-19)
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- Final CMS Guidance for the Expiration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (5/2/23)
- Toolkit on State Actions to Mitigate COVID-19 Prevalence in Nursing Homes (Revised, March 2022)
- CMS Innovation Center Models COVID-19 Related Adjustments (06/03/20)
- COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season (FEMA)
- COVID-19 Workforce Virtual Toolkit: Resources for Healthcare Decision-Makers Responding to COVID-19 Workforce Concerns
- HIPAA and COVID-19 – guidance from HHS.
- Upcoming Requirements for Notification of Confirmed COVID-19 (or COVID19 Persons under Investigation) Among Residents and Staff in Nursing Homes (CMS)
- CDC Launches New Weekly COVID-19 Surveillance Report
- COVID Tracking Website – Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME)
- OCR Announces Notification of Enforcement Discretion to Allow Uses and Disclosures of Protected Health Information (OCR)
- HQRP Reporting Clarification Related to COVID-19 Pandemic (CMS)
- FAQs on Medicare Provider Enrollment Relief related to COVID-19 (CMS)
- COVID-19 Rumor vs. Truth (Shared by Optum)
- COVID-19 Pandemic: Eligible Emergency Protective Measures (03/19/20)
- COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Health Care Providers Fact Sheet (03/13/20)
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act (03/14/20)
- CMS Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention in nursing homes (REVISED)
- CMS Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention by Hospice Agencies
- White House Transcript from the Vice President’s Task Force Meeting (03/04/20)
- Coronavirus Information and Updates (CDC)
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 Information for Travel (CDC)
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Resources for Healthcare Provider Operations on COVID-19
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- NHPCO Statement on Resource Allocation
- Crisis Standards of Care in Hospice and Palliative Care Emergency Management – an NHPCO resource (11/20/20)
- Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control FAQs for COVID-19
- Hospice Telehealth Flowchart – resource from Husch Blackwell
- Preventing COVID-19 Hospitalizations – article on Cyft website (04/17/200)
- Interim Clinical Guidance for Management of Patients with Confirmed COVID-19 (CDC, 3/30/20)
- Downloadable Videos – on a variety of COVID-19 prevention topics (CDC)
- Evaluating and Testing Persons for COVID-19 (CDC)
- Healthcare Professionals: Frequently Asked FAQs (CDC, updated 03/22/20)
- Information for Healthcare Professionals (CDC)
- COVID-19 Healthcare Planning Checklist (HHS)
- Information for Healthcare Facilities Memo – CMS Quality Safety and Oversight Group (02/06/2020)
- HHS ASPR, the Technical Resources, Assistance Center, and Information Exchange (TRACIE)
- ASPR COVID-19: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (HHS)
- HIPAA Compliant Video Communication (HHS)
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Medicare 1135 Waivers for Hospice
Resources Related to Medical Supplies
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- Decontamination and Reuse of Filtering Facepiece Respirators using Contingency and Crisis Capacity Strategies (CDC)
- Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of N95 Respirators: Crisis/Alternate Strategies (CDC, 03/17/20))
- Recommended Guidance for Extended Use and Limited Reuse of N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators in Healthcare Settings (CDC – NIOSH)
- HHS to Procure N95 Respirators to Support Healthcare Workers (03/04/2020)
- Strategies for Ensuring Healthcare Systems Preparedness and Optimizing N95 Supplies (CDC, 02/11/2020):
- Healthcare Supply of Personal Protective Equipment (CDC)
- Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19 (CDC)
- Cloth Face Coverings: Questions and Answers (CDC)
Resources on Community Infection Prevention & Control
Helpful Contacts for Providers
Resources from Other Organizations
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- The Wellness Society’s workbook addressing anxiety in the time of COVID-19.
- The National Center for PTSD continuously posts resources related to COVID-19.
- Ithaca College Gerontology Institute has resources for older adults and caregivers.
- Death, Grief, and Funerals in the COVID Age – from the Virtual Funeral Collective
- Grieving Alone & Together Booklet – from NFDA and FSF.
- Enclara COVID-19 Respiratory Toolkit
- Connect Consulting 2020 Pandemic Planning Response Guide
- National Coalition for Hospice and Palliative Care COVID-19 Resource Round-Up
- California Health Care Foundation
- The Hastings Center COVID-19 ethics resource center
- The John A. Hartford Foundation COVID-19 Resources
- HPNA Primary Palliative Nursing for Patients with COVID-19
- The VitalTalk Tips App – available for iPhone and for Android devices.
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Resources for Your Patients and Families
Resources for Employers
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- Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Questions and Answers (Dept. of Labor)
- Families First Coronavirus Respond Act – flow chart (HuschBlackwell)
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act sample poster (HuschBlackwell)
- Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers (CDC )
- Practical and Legal Labor and Employment Considerations for U.S. Employers (Hogan Lovells)
- Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 (OSHA)
- U.S. Department of Labor Guidance For Workplaces
- COVID-19 or Other Public Health Emergencies (U.S. Dept of Labor)
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