Healthcare facilities must continue to use masks

As everyone is aware, the CDC has updated its guidance regarding the use of face masks.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced today that fully vaccinated people no longer have to wear mask in most settings indoor and outdoor.

The New York State Department of Health has just released "Guidance for Facilities, Providers, and Local Health Departments Receiving COVID-19 Vaccine." Please note that chiropractors fall in outpatient care, which can begin receiving the vaccine in week 4, January 4, 2021.

Re: Can a DC hire a nurse to perform the COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid 10-Minute fingerstick test for antibodies during the current pandemic?

As previously reported by the NYSCA, member DCs may have received funding from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) deposited into their bank accounts which is part of the CARES Act. These relief funds were allocated to healthcare providers on the front lines of the coronavirus response. Currently, Phase 3 of the CARES Act allows healthcare providers to request additional funds.

For more information on how to apply for Phase 3 General Funding, visit the HHS website: 
https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/cares-act-provider-relief-fund/for-providers/index.html

As some of you are aware, the availability of telemedicine services for New York's injured workers was set to expire on July 20th.  The NYSCA workers' compensation committee contacted the WCB to ensure telemedicine would remain available for those injured workers who could not seek chiropractic care as a result of COVID-19.

President Trump signed a bill into law on July 4 which created an extension to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) deadline for small businesses to apply for the program. This deadline which expired at the end of June 2020 under current law was extended to August 8, 2020. The PPP still had approximately $134 billion to give even as the deadline neared. 

A NYSCA member asks: A patient just called to make an appointment; however, they attended a protest a few days ago. Can I see them if they have not demonstrated Covid-19 symptoms?

In the continued spirit of assisting and advancing the profession, the NYSCA will be holding a workshop to assist those of you who have questions or simply want to join your colleagues virtually in the completion of this vital task. 

There is a lot of good news happening as New York moves forward. 

The NYSCA is pleased to share the good news. Updated guidance has been released that chiropractic offices can resume providing the full breadth of chiropractic services. The prior restriction to “emergency chiropractic services” is no longer in place. This was accomplished with the update of the definition of Essential Business being changed to ''chiropractic services". All chiropractic services are now considered essential throughout the entire state of New York.

We know there are many questions and concerns about the best practices for reopening a practice and for returning to the full breadth of chiropractic practice.  To assist with this, last week a “reopening and reigniting practice guide” was emailed to you.  

UnitedHealthcare recently published an update relative to COVID-19.  Noted in the introductory paragraph of this notice:

Your service to public health throughout the covid crisis is appreciated. At this stage some of our colleagues are looking to reopen their practices and begin providing 'emergency chiropractic services'. Others have been open in this essential capacity and are anxiously awaiting the green light to provide a full spectrum of chiropractic care. To assist you with both of those strides forward, the NYSCA has created a guide to opening and reigniting your practice.

As you are aware, “emergency chiropractic services” have been deemed an “essential business” during the COVID-19 pandemic.  We have been able to ascertain that the best interpretation of this language means, urgent and necessary chiropractic care.

As NY begins to reopen, there is some new guidance for operating a business as part of essential services. In summary, you must have a detailed safety plan and be following the phase one guidelines. 

Recently, DCs may have witnessed monies from HHS deposited into their bank accounts and should have received follow-up emails requesting that they “attest” in order to keep the funding. The NYSCA previously emailed the membership regarding the HHS funding, which is part of the CARES Act.

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.