COVID-19 Resources

Below are a collection of resources for our members during the COVID-19 pandemic. This page will continue to be updated with new information as it becomes available. 

Medical Society Resources | Telemedicine Coding and Coverage Resources | Government Resources
Certification and Licensure Resources | Research Resource 
 

Medical Society and Health Care Institution Resources

• Joint Statement on Re-introduction of Hospital and Office-based Procedures in the COVID-19 Climate for the Practicing Urogynecologist and Gynecologist from SGS, AAGL, ASRM, AUGS, IGCS, SFP, SGO, SRS
• Joint Statement on Elective Surgeries from ACOG, AAGL, ASRM, AUGS, SFP, SGS, SMFM, and SGO
• Joint Statement on Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery During the COVID-19 Pandemic from AAGL, AUGS, IGCS, SGO, SGS and CanSAGE
• ACGME Response to the Pandemic Crisis
• ACS COVID-19 Guidelines for Triage of Gynecology Patients
• ACS Guidance for Surgeons
• AAGL COVID-19 Preparedness Webinar: Learning from Colleagues and Friends on the Front Lines
• Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center

Telemedicine Resources

• Telemedicine & Managing Your Practice During COVID-19 Webinar
  Recorded on Thursday, April 16
  Speakers: Dr. Scott Poehlmann, Jill Rathbun (Galileo Consulting Group)
  
  Discussed Topics Include: Telehealth Services by Type (Coding and Billing, Medicare Waivers); CMS Policy Changes; Coding and Billing; Technology Waivers; Licensure Waivers; Other COVID-19 Policy Changes (Small Business Loans, Medicare Payment Changes)
   
• CMS Rules for Telehealth
  Beginning with March 6, 2020 as the date of service, CMS has relaxed restrictions on the use of telemedicine providing greater flexibility for the Medicare providers during this uncertain viral season. AUGS members are frequently caring for the most vulnerable patients and the opportunity to avoid possibly unnecessary viral exposure through technology use is a viable option for providers who wish to give their patients choices in care during this uncertain time.
  
  In ALL areas, not just designated "rural" areas, Medicare patients in their homes may have reimbursable office visits with their physicians through communication technology including telephone conversations. Also "virtual Check-ins" may occur with established patients when the communication is not related to a medical visit that occurred within the prior 7 days or not lead to an office visit in the next 24 hours. The patient must verbally consent to the virtual visit and must be counseled that the virtual visit would be billed as an actual visit in terms of deductibles and copays.
  
  Medicare telehealth visits are different and require audio and visual capabilities in real-time. For full explanation and further instruction, please refer to:
  
  Fact Sheet on this announcement. 
  Frequently Asked Questions on this announcement. 
   
• AMA Quick Guide to Telemedicine in Practice

Government Resources

• CARES Act Provider Relief Fund
• COVID-19 Workforce Virtual Toolkit: Resources for Healthcare Decision-Makers Responding to COVID-19 Workforce Concerns
• HHS Office on Women’s Health Updates on COVID-19

CMS

• CMS Recommendations on Re-opening Facilities to Provide Non-emergent Non-COVID-19 Healthcare: Phase I
• CMS Recommendations on Non-Emergent, Elective Medical Services and Treatment
• CMS Letter to Clinicians to Summarize Actions CMS Has Taken to Ensure Clinicians Have Maximum Flexibility to Reduce Unnecessary Barriers to Providing Patient Care
• CMS Current Emergencies Information

CDC

• CDC Interim Guidance for Healthcare Facilities: Preparing for Community Transmission of COVID-19 in the United States
• CDC Information for Health Care Professionals

FDA

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Continues to Facilitate Development of Treatments
• FDA Guidance on Conduct of Clinical Trials of Medical Products during COVID-19 Pandemic

SBA

• U.S. Small Business Administration: Disaster Loan Assistance
• Fact Sheet: Expansion of the Accelerated and Advance Payments Program for Providers and Suppliers During COVID-19 Emergency
• Keeping American Workers Paid and Employed Act
• Small Business Provisions in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Explainer

Certification and Licensure Resources

• ABMS Statement Regarding Continuing Certification During COVID-19
• FSMB Information on States Waiving Licensure Requirements/Renewals in Response to COVID-19 
• FSMB Information on States Expediting Licensure for Inactive/Retired Licensees in Response to COVID-19
• ABOG Updates on 2020 Specialty Certifying Examination Application Deadline

Research Resource

• IQVIA COVID Active Research Experience (CARE) Project