SBA $10,000 Advance Forgivable Loan (distinct from PPP)
Potentially forgivable loans are currently available under the Payroll Protection Program (PPP, see previous KMS update), but it is important that physician practices know that they are also now eligible for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000. This loan advance will not have to be repaid. The loan advance will provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. Get more information and the application.
KAMMCO answers liability coverage question
KMS has received questions from physicians who are concerned they may be asked to provide care outside of their usual practice setting or specialty during the COVID-19 pandemic. KMS reached out to KAMMCO for help in answering this question, and their response follows:
KAMMCO recognizes that physicians and other health care professionals may be faced with situations during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis that they may consider to be outside their traditional specialty training or expertise. Each physician will have to make their own determination as to their level of comfort and competency regarding the clinical situations in which they may find themselves. Notwithstanding, subject to the terms and conditions of their particular policy, most companies, like KAMMCO, provide coverage which is not specialty or geographically specific, as long as the care is delivered within the United States of America. If the physician or health care provider is a Kansas resident and in compliance with the Kansas Health Care Stabilization Fund (Fund), the Fund will also provide coverage anywhere in the United States the professional is licensed to provide care. KAMMCO appreciates this situation creates much stress among physicians and other health care professionals as to the potential liability they may be assuming during these extraordinary circumstances, and encourages providers to check with their insurer if they have any questions about coverage limitations, etc.
KMS is working closely with KAMMCO and the Kansas Hospital Association to develop a legislative proposal that would provide liability protection to health care providers while they are in good faith delivering care related to the COVID-19 emergency. It is unclear at this point when the Legislature will return to the Capitol to wrap up their official business for the 2020 Session.
KU medical students to graduate early and volunteer for Kansas pandemic aid program
More than 50 senior students from the University of Kansas School of Medicine have asked to graduate early to participate in the Kansas Pandemic Volunteer Health Care Workforce, a program that will deploy them throughout Kansas as part of the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This program will allow them to serve in areas of critical need in the state of Kansas immediately, prior to their residencies, which begin July 1 at various locations throughout the country. These new physicians will be provided with stipends for expenses and will receive immediate relevant training. They will be required to work with existing physicians rather than independently, and they will not supervise advanced practice providers. The program will be administered by KDHE. More about the program on KU’s website. Health care facilities and physicians in need of assistance from this program should contact
Telehealth Kansas Medicaid Billing Resource
If you are unsure whether you are able to provide telehealth service under Kansas Medicaid, you can use the Procedure Code Look up tool on KMAP. This tool can assist providers in determining if a provider is allowed to offer a service.
When billing Telemedicine, “place of service” should be 02 (telehealth). These services will remain in force until May 1, 2020, or until the statewide State of Disaster Emergency relating to COVID-19 expires, whichever is earlier.
Telehealth CMS Resources
CMS has posted a 17-minute video on Medicare coverage and payment of virtual services.
Previously, CMS posted a fact sheet for physicians on Telehealth Workforce and Administrative Burden Flexibilities.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Updates
Information on decontaminating and otherwise optimizing PPE resources—including N95 respirators, gowns, and facemasks—has been updated on the CDC’s website.
Also, the American Medical Association, American Hospital Association, and American Nurses Association issued a statement on CDC’s recommendations for the public on cloth masks.
KDHE COVID-19 Resources Update
KMS has been in continuous communication with KDHE during our state’s response to COVID-19. Regarding how providers may get their specific COVID-19-related questions answered, KDHE encourages providers to send questions to the EpiHotline at
KDHE also hosts a weekly update for local partners at 10 a.m. every Thursday.
- Join via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/349823849
- Or join via telephone by dialing: (312) 626-6799 and enter ID: 349 823 849.
Finally, KDHE has made a number of updates to its online resources at http://kdheks.gov/coronavirus, including:
- A page to submit Personal Protective Equipment requests to KDHE.
- A new map displaying confirmed COVID-19 infections in each county.
- An updated symptom checker from the CDC.
Reminder: New KMS Podcast
In case you missed our last update, KMS has launched a new podcast to help physician practices digest information via a format that may be more convenient at times. We know more than 100 of you have listened so far and we thank you for your early feedback. Please continue to let us know what you find most valuable about the podcast and how we might improve it.
Currently, the KMS Kansas Physician Podcast is available via:
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If you have questions about this update or other matters, please contact KMS Executive Director Rachelle Colombo:
