Medicaid Provider Announcements, Orders and Guidance Related to the COVID-19 Outbreak

General Announcements

Maryland State of Emergency ends on July 1, 2021; National Public Health Emergency Remains in Place.

In accordance with the Governor’s Order Terminating Various Emergency Orders issued on June 15, 2021, most of the guidance issued by the Maryland Department of Health in response to COVID-19 will expire on July 1, 2021, and August 15, 2021. Documents posted on this page have been reorganized to reflect their expiration dates. Additional guidance is included below.

Medicaid Provider Guidance COVID-19 Secretary's Orders Changes -- Revised July 16, 2021
BHA Telehealth Post Emergency Guidance -- Revised July 16, 2021

National Public Health Emergency Renewed Effective July 20, 2021

On July 19, 2021, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the renewal of the public health emergency for a sixth time.

COVID-19 Vaccinations and ImmuNet Registration

In order for your practice to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, your practice must:

Be onboarded with ImmuNet and report routine vaccinations administered.
Register with the Center for Immunization through ImmuNet to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

For more information on ImmuNet and COVID-19 vaccinations, please see the ImmuNet Clinician Letter.
For information on how to register with ImmuNet, please see the Quick Reference Guide: COVID-19 Vaccine Registration & Ordering

American Rescue Plan: Home and Community-Based, and Behavioral Health Services

On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan (ARP). A portion of the ARP, Section 9817, provides additional support for Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) during the COVID-19 emergency. The plan gives a 10 percent enhanced federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for a one-year period from April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022.

Updates will be posted when more information and guidance is available from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on how the funding will be distributed or the allowable criteria.
For more information, read the Maryland Strategy for Supporting Home and Community-Based Services using American Rescue Plan (ARP) Funding updated April 9, 2021.

CARES Act COVID-19 Provider Relief Funding

Providers who have conducted COVID-19 testing or provided treatment for uninsured individuals with a COVID-19 diagnosis on or after February 4, 2020 can begin the process to file claims for reimbursement for testing and treating the uninsured.

Providers can access the portal at coviduninsuredclaim.linkhealth.com.
More information is available at www.hrsa.gov/CovidUninsuredClaim.

COVID-19 Federal Provider Relief Payments Available

On June 9 2020, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) announced the distribution of $15 billion in additional relief funds to eligible Medicaid and CHIP providers. Funds will be available .to providers who have not received a payment from the Provider Relief Fund General Allocation under the CARES Act.

HHS is overseeing all provider applications and fund distributions. Providers must apply using the HHS Provider Relief Fund Portal. More information about eligibility and the application process is available at https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/cares-act-provider-relief-fund/general-information/index.html.

For updated information and data on the Provider Relief Fund, visit hhs.gov/providerrelief
Maryland Medicaid providers are encouraged to apply for funds as soon as possible. Additional updates will be posted when available.