During the COVID-19 pandemic, New York’s chiropractors continue to do their best to serve their patients and communities.   A reminder for those that chiropractors that remain open as part of Essential Business during this state of emergency- you need to still practice under the current scope of practice.  

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has issued an Executive Order directing employers to provide essential workers with cloth or surgical masks free of charge to wear when directly interacting with the public, effective tomorrow at 8pm.

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai recently announced his plan for a COVID-19 Telehealth Program to support health care providers responding to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. As part of the CARES Act, Congress appropriated $200 million to the FCC to support health care providers’ use of telehealth services in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.

A NYSCA member states, then asks: "I am a self-employed, sole proprietor and I am closing my office due to the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.  As a chiropractor can I apply to one of the state unemployment insurance offices to collect unemployment insurance compensation?"

In order to increase cash flow to providers of services and suppliers impacted by the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has expanded our current Accelerated and Advance Payment Program to a broader group of Medicare Part A providers and Part B suppliers. The expansion of this program is only for the duration of the public health emergency. Details on the eligibility, and the request process are outlined below. The information below reflects the passage of the CARES Act (P.L. 116-136).

Some good news for doctors amidst the Corona Virus crisis: Some doctors may already be seeing this money in their account; you may be seeing it in your account soon. 

We continue to address the developing needs of chiropractic patients during the covid-19 crisis. We have been able to achieve a measure of clarity regarding NY's updated definition of essential services, including "Emergency Chiropractic Services". 

The CDC has updated its guidance regarding exposure to COVID-19 for essential workers, those who are part of the critical infrastructure. The update is here:

There are important developments in the COVID-19 crisis here in NY. Empire State Development has updated the guidance on the definition of Essential Services. It has now been formalized and includes language which notes 'emergency chiropractic services' are essential. This would indicate that face to face chiropractic services that are non-emergency would not be considered essential.

The NYSCA Officers thank the insurance committee for their work in continuing this conversation and assisting in bringing more options to New York's chiropractors and chiropractic patients.  Updates to the United HealthCare policies allowing chiropractors to utilize telemedicine services to care for their patients is below.

The NYSCA is working to remain vigilant at helping members understand and address the COVID-19 pandemic and remain responsive to updates and changes as this situation continues to develop.

During the COVID-19 crisis, telemedicine and telehealth services will allow you to continue to care for your patients from a distance.  The NYSCA Insurance Committee continues to interact with various NYS offices, commercial carriers and TPAs to discuss and seek their guidelines relative to the application and coverage of telemedicine services for doctors of chiropractic.

There are two loan programs available: (1) the CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. 

Help for you and your practice is on the way.  Details are still emerging, but here's what is available to provide financial assistance and relief from impact of covid-19.

As we in New York begin to experience the exponential surge of COVID-19, members are questioning how they can care for their patients. Some offices remain open as part of essential services, while others have decided to close because of the risk factors. Geography and patient population seem to be the biggest determinants in this professional choice.

NYSCA members have been asking, "Does the WC amendment allowing temporary performance of telemedicine services during Covid-19 extend to No Fault?"  

The New York State Education Department has developed a webpage containing many frequently asked questions related to the developing COVID-19 situation.  An excerpt from this page as relates to continuing education requirements is included below.