The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has released an article on defending against video-teleconferencing (VTC) hijacking (referred to as “Zoom-bombing” when attacks are to the Zoom VTC platform).  Many organizations and individuals are increasingly dependent on VTC platforms, such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, to stay connected during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The FBI has released this guidance in response to an increase in reports of VTC hijacking.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency encourage users and administrators to review the FBI article as well as the following steps to improve VTC cybersecurity:

April 1^st, 2020, Florida governor (Ron DeSantis) issued a statewide stay-at-home executive order (#20-91) requiring all non-essential businesses to close by 12:01am of this Friday 4/3/2020 (https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2020/04/01/gov-desantis-addresses-state-as-covid-19-cases-grow/).

The order requires all persons in Florida to limit their movements and personal interactions outside of their home to only those necessary to obtain or provide essential services or conduct essential activities.

President Donald J. Trump signed into law the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”) on March 18, 2020. It takes effect on April 1, 2020, so you must post by that date. The FFCRA requires covered employers to provide paid leave to employees for specified reasons related to COVID-19 through two major components: (1) the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (“EFMLEA”) and (2) the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (“EPSLA”).

On March 25, 2020, the Department of Labor published posters on its website for covered employers to use to notify employees of their rights under the FFCRA. Additionally, the Department of Labor published frequently asked questions discussing how and where employers must post this Notice.

We understand that it’s a confusing time. Right now, you need all the resources and information you can get. We’re working to keep you updated so you can focus on keeping the country healthy and safe.

First and Foremost, Thank You
As the people on the front lines of COVID-19, we appreciate your efforts to fight this virus. To all health care professionals who are caring for sick patients and working around the clock to help find solutions – thank you for all you’re doing.

Expanding Access to Care and Resources
Here are key things to know, along with links, so you can get more information:

As expected, the Federal Government is aware of the unexpected impact that COVID 19 is having and how this affects HealthCare Professionals and organizations as it relates to other issues. In response to the same, CMS has extended the submission dates to the following programs:

A new study whose results were published in the International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents has found early evidence that the combination of hydroxychloroquine, a popular anti-malaria drug known under the trade name Plaqenuil, and antibiotic azithromycin (aka Zithromax or Azithrocin) could be especially effective in treating the COVID-19 coronavirus and reducing the duration of the virus in patients.

The researchers performed a study on 30 confirmed COVID-19 patients, treating each with either hydroxychloroquine on its own, a combination of the medicine with the antibiotic, as well as a control group that received neither. The study was conducted after reports from the treatment of Chinese patients indicated that this particular combo had efficacy in shortening the duration of infection in patients.

The Following document contains information on payor policies enacted or modified in light of the COVID-19 crisis. Please note that due to the constant influx of new information, this guide is not fully comprehensive and some of its contents may be subject to change. We recommend monitoring for updates from the Florida Department of Health, the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services, their contracted payors, and from the FMA. Nevertheless, we hope that these resources will help physicians navigate changing payor policies in this time of extraordinary uncertainty and need. Physicians with specific questions or that need any assistance with navigating through the COVID-19 epidemic are also welcome to the call the Florida Medical Association for direct assistance. Our in-house experts stand ready and willing to help assist you.

The President of the USA, yesterday announced an Emergency Declaration for the whole country.

This has given the centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) the opportunity to broadened access to Medicare telehealth services, the purpose being to avoid patients having to travel to a healthcare facility. These policy changes build on the regulatory flexibilities granted under the Emergency Declaration, Medicare has expanded the benefits on a temporary and emergency basis under the 1135 waiver and Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act.

Telehealth, telemedicine and related terms generally refer to the exchange of medical information from one site to another through electronic communication to improve a patient’s health. This will help ensure Medicare beneficiaries, who are at a higher risk for COVID-19, can visit with their doctor from their home without having to go to a doctor’s office or hospital which puts themselves and others at risk.

Under this new waiver, Medicare patients will be able to receive a specific set of services through telehealth including: