April 30, 2020

Your Gastroenterology
COVID-19 Update

  • Guidelines for Healthcare Re-Start Friday

  • Re-Cap of Federal Assistance

  • AGA/DHPA Guidance Document

 

Guidelines for Re-Starting Healthcare in Ohio

Following an announcement earlier this week that Ohio will resume elective procedures and surgeries on May 1—the first step in fully restarting Ohio’s healthcare system amid the COVID-19 pandemic—the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has released guidelines for implementing this process.

Under the order that takes effect on May 1:

  • All healthcare procedures that do not require an overnight stay may move forward. This includes outpatient surgeries, diagnostic testing and imaging, and dental procedures.

  • Procedures that were still allowed, despite the original March 17 order prohibiting elective procedures that require personal protective equipment (PPE), will continue.

  • And physicians and medical offices must maintain patient and employee safety standards, including assuring proper levels of PPE for staff, adhere to social distancing guidelines, and have the ability to test patients.

Read the full checklist >

Re-Cap of Federal Financial Assistance Available

There are a variety of programs provided by the federal government to support healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic, some specific to physicians and healthcare providers and others more general to small businesses.

The Ohio State Medical Association has compiled a summary and most recent available information about:

  • CARES Act Direct Relief Payment

  • CMS Suspends Advanced Payment Program
    and Reevaluates Accelerated Payment Program

  • Stabilization of Health Insurance Programs

  • Paycheck Protection Program

Read the full summary of information >

The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) also has a webinar for better understanding the Paycheck Protection Program.

 

AGA/DHPA Offer Guidance for
Restarting GI Practices

As Ohio and other states begin to resume full healthcare services—including elective procedures and surgeries—the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) and the Digestive Health Physicians Association have created a document providing guidance for gastroenterology practices. Application of the recommendations in the guidance document by individual facilities will depend on local conditions and will be impacted by further guidance from federal, state, and local authorities.

Review the guidance document >

 

To share your COVID-19 experience or ask a question, 
email OGS Director Reginald Fields. 
And continue to check for updates at the OGS website.

Stay Current on the Latest:

Coronavirus.ohio.gov   OSMA.org/coronavirus

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