Resources for Ametros Members on COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Amid ongoing concerns about the Coronavirus (COVID-19), Ametros is closely monitoring the latest reports from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization, and other government entities. Ametros has taken a number of precautionary measures for the health and safety of our members and colleagues.

We recognize that at this time our members may be affected by COVID-19 and we want to make sure that you have the most effective resources and support during this time.

Information and news about the Coronavirus is quickly changing. View the CDC website for the most up to date information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

How We Can Help:

Medicare has released information and resources for Medicare beneficiaries on their website: https://www.medicare.gov/medicare-coronavirus

Use Mail Order for Your Prescriptions:

As part of your CareGuard membership, you have access to a mail order pharmacy service for home delivery, in the case you want to avoid physically going to a pharmacy.

Contact our team for more information or to get started. Call 978-451-4562 or email support@careguard.com.

Use Video Services:

Medicare pays for specific (Part B) physician or practitioner services furnished through a telecommunications system. Telehealth services substitute for an in-person encounter.

An interactive audio and video telecommunications system that permits real time communication between the physician/practitioner and the beneficiary (patient) must be used.

Covered Medicare Telehealth Services include, but are not limited to:

Emergency department of initial inpatient consults
Follow-up inpatient telehealth consults to beneficiaries in hospitals or skilled nursing facilities
Office or other outpatient visits
Subsequent hospital care services (1 telehealth visit every 3 days)
Individual psychotherapy
Pharmacologic Management
Psychiatric diagnostic interview examination
Care management services after hospital discharge

Telehealth services may be submitted for payment by a provider/practitioner either electronically or on paper, using the appropriate CMS approved codes and modifiers.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has increased access to telehealth for Medicare beneficiaries so they are able to receive more services from their doctors virtually, without visiting a doctors’ office or other facility. Read more about these changes here: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/medicare-telemedicine-health-care-provider-fact-sheet

Contact our team for more information on what services are available to you.Call 978-451-4562 or email support@careguard.com.

Guidance from the Centers for Disease Control

The CDC recommends preventative measures, including:

Clean your hands often.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, or having been in a public place.
If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
To the extent possible, avoid touching high-touch surfaces in public places – elevator buttons, door handles, handrails, handshaking with people, etc. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or finger if you must touch something.
Wash your hands after touching surfaces in public places.
Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, etc.
Clean and disinfect your home to remove germs: practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (for example: tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks & cell phones).

Guidance from Medicare.gov

"Update about in-person healthcare visits" - email sent to Medicare recipients on 6/24/2020

As communities around the country continue to re-open, you may have questions about when to resume in-person visits with your healthcare providers, and what to expect during a visit. Always check with your doctor to see what's best for your healthcare needs.

Here are some considerations for in-person visits:

Don't put off necessary care, especially if it's urgent or may lead to complications, such as heart attack or stroke.
Continue preventive care such as immunizations and cancer screenings.
Providers and facilities will minimize exposure, so you may experience some changes during your visit.

More Info

Visit Medicare.gov to learn more, and reach out to your healthcare provider if you have questions about when and how to seek treatment. Consider telehealth or virtual visits with your doctor if you're at high risk for complications from COVID-19.

If you must visit in-person, check out this information from the CDC to help you protect yourself and others.

Industry Impacts Due to COVID-19

Ametros is closely monitoring state workers' compensation boards for closures, as well as virtual options such a telephonic and video meetings. We will be updating this page frequently to provide you with the most up to date information: https://ametros.com/industry-impacts-due-to-covid-19/

For additional information about COVID-19, get the latest report from the Centers for Disease Control at cdc.gov, from CMS at cms.gov, or your local health department website.