With the spread of COVID-19, barriers to testing, treating, and getting paid for coronavirus-related care and containment efforts are being identified and addressed by federal and state regulators on a daily basis. Most recently,

• the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2020, approving $8.3 billion in federal funds to address the conoravirus emergency, signed into law on March 6, included provisions easing restrictions on physicians and licensed health care practitioners treating existing patients through telehealth services;
• the State of California declared coronavirus testing a preventive health service, prohibiting copayments from plan members and insureds for diagnostic tests; and
• the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid announced that it was diverting all survey and accreditation services to institutional infection control surveys, requiring hospitals and health care facilities to review and implement infection control processes and issued additional memoranda on reimbursement issues.

The firm’s Health Care Group is monitoring these developments and advising clients across the industry on regulatory and transactional matters, including health benefits.