Please note: This page is actively being updated as MSHA receives information from related stakeholders.

This page was updated on 03-31-21

Vaccination Resources

REMINDER: Consult your city or town for information about testing and the vaccination roll out. If you belong to a school system or even contract with a school system, there should be additional information specific to you there. If the city or town does not have specific information, the state website has information also.

March 31, 2021

Effective March 31, 2021, MassHealth published the following Provider Bulletins related to Therapist Services, which provides an extension to the provider bulletins issued in January 2021.

• Therapist Bulletin 16: COVID-19 Related Administrative Flexibilities for Therapy Services Including Telehealth
• • Link: https://www.mass.gov/lists/masshealth-provider-bulletins-by-provider-type-r-w#therapist-provider-bulletins-
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• Rehabilitation Center Bulletin 13: COVID-19 Related Administrative Flexibilities for Therapy Services Including Telehealth
• • Link:  https://www.mass.gov/lists/masshealth-provider-bulletins-by-provider-type-r-w#rehabilitation-center-provider-bulletins-
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• Speech and Hearing Center Bulletin 13: COVID-19 Related Administrative Flexibilities for Therapy Services Including Telehealth
• Link: https://www.mass.gov/lists/masshealth-provider-bulletins-by-provider-type-r-w#speech-and-hearing-center-provider-bulletins-

February 18, 2021

• COVID-19 Vaccine for Individuals Ages 65 and Older Overview.pdf
  
• COVID-19 Vaccine for Individuals with Underlying Conditions Overview.pdf
  
• Baker-Polito Administration Announces Vaccine Appointment Booking for Individuals Ages 65+, Individuals with 2+ Certain Medical Conditions to Begin on February 18th
  
• Home-based Healthcare Worker COVID-19 Vaccine - Important Update: Click here to learn more.
  

February 12, 2021 - Effective Thursday, February 11th, an individual who accompanies a person age 75 or older to one of four mass vaccination sites to receive the vaccine will be eligible to receive the vaccine too, if they have an appointment booked. Click here to learn more. 

Telehealth/Telepractice Resources

• Board of Registration
• Speech Language and Audiology Licensing
• The following important document has been updated and posted to the mass.gov/coronavirus-disease-covid-19-and-masshealth website:

Federal Resources

• CMS. Gov Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services - Coronavirus Waivers & Flexibilities - Click here to read more
• Resources Compact Telepractice HIPAA

Massachusetts State Resources

• IMPORTANT MESSAGE to all licenses of the Board of Registration for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
• Board of Registration for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Website - Contact Speech.audiology@mass.gov with any questions
• Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Resource :http://www.doe.mass.edu/sped/covid19-faq.docx
• MassHealth: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)  - Guidance for All Providers - Click here to read more
• Board of Registration for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Meeting - if you would like to attend the meeting on March 31, 2020 at 9:00 AM click here.

• Re: License Renewal, Continuing Education, and Telepractice During the State of Emergency for Coronavirus (COVID-19)

• Insurance Coverage for Telepractice in Massachusetts:

• • Massachusetts Order Expanding Access to Telehealth Services and to Protect Healthcare Providers: https://www.mass.gov/doc/march-15-2020-telehealth-order/download
  • For resources on Telepractice click here. 

  • MassHealth information: The following important document has been updated and posted to the mass.gov/coronavirus-disease-covid-19-and-masshealth website, Regularly check mass.gov/2019coronavirus for general updated information and mass.gov/coronavirus-disease-covid-19-and-masshealth for MassHealth-related information.

  
  

• As previously shared, in coordination with agencies across the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, MassHealth/EOHHS have released provider bulletins and additional guidance in response to 2019 novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). Below are the bulletins and guidance:

  • All Provider Bulletin 289: MassHealth Coverage and Reimbursement Policy for Services Related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
  • Managed Care Entity Bulletin 20: Coverage and Reimbursement for Services Related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
  • All Provider Bulletin 288: Coverage Provided via Hospital-Determined Presumptive Eligibility
  • Community Day Program Settings (e.g. Adult Day Health, Day Habilitation, Councils on Aging, etc.) 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance
  • Non-Agency Based In-Home Caregivers (e.g. PCAs, Independent Nurses, etc.) 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance
  • Agency-Based In-Home Caregivers & Workers (e.g. Home Health Agencies, Personal Care Management Agencies, Home Care Agencies, Adult Foster Care, etc.) 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance
  • Guidance for Integrated Care Programs: One Care, Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), and Senior Care Options (SCO)
  • Home Health Agency Bulletin 56: Temporary Expansion of Home Health Aide Services
  • MassHealth Member-Facing FAQ
  • MassHealth is committed to working with providers, plans, and other stakeholders to ensure member needs continue to be met during this time. We thank you for your partnership and vigilance as we work together through the challenges of COVID-19. We will continue to update providers and members on further developments as it relates to the MassHealth program, and encourage you to consult both the MA Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control websites for the most up to date information.
  
  

ASHA Resources

• LATEST UPDATE FROM ASHA: https://www.asha.org/About/Coronavirus-Updates/
• ASHA Telepractice Checklist for Schools-Based Professionals: https://www.asha.org/uploadedFiles/ASHA-Telepractice-Checklist-for-School-Based-Professionals.pdf
• ASHA sends letters to Congress urging coverage of telepractice for audiologists and SLPs; asks for small business help during COVID-19. Click here to view.
• Important Message Circulating Through ASHA SIG12 AAC:

Jeff Regan, director, Government Affairs and Public Policy: ASHA is actively engaged with Congress about the importance of expanded access to telepractice. As you may know, we currently have a Take Action link asking our ASHA members to express support for H.R. 4932/S. 2741, the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2019. Given the pandemic of COVID-19 and the rapidly evolving health care policy landscape, this Action Alert is currently being modified in time for Virtual Advocacy Day on Monday, March 23, to reflect the urgent need for our services to be covered by Medicare. If you have any additional policy-related questions with respect to COVID-19, please contact Jeff Regan, ASHA's Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy, at jregan@asha.org.