Hayes Locums is working to keep you informed on critical matters related to COVID-19. We will continue to provide ongoing updates on provider and locums topics to keep you up to date on significant happenings.
For Your Reference:
July 9th Update:
Facing shortages of beds and remdesivir, South Florida hospitals halt elective surgeries
Florida’s COVID-19 case count began to rise two weeks after Memorial Day and has not declined since, reports the Miami Herald. The surge threatens to overwhelm hospitals in the regions where the virus has struck hardest, including Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
June 30th Update:
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott bans elective surgeries in a total of eight Texas counties to preserve hospital capacity
Elective procedures are now banned in eight Texas counties around the state — Bexar, Dallas, Harris, Travis, Cameron, Hidalgo, Nueces and Webb.
June 25th Update:
Texas bans non-essential procedures for Bexar, Dallas, Harris and Travis counties
Gov. Greg Abbott pauses the reopening of the state. He has banned elective surgeries in four counties to preserve bed space for Coronavirus patients.
June 24th Update:
8 states trigger Coronavirus quarantines for travelers going to New York tri-state region
Officials in the New York tri-state region, once the epicenter of the U.S. outbreak, announced plans on Wednesday, June 24th to enforce a 14-day quarantine on travelers from so-called hot spots.
May 13th Update:
Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB)
Click here: States Modifying Continuing Medical Education (CME) Requirements in Response to COVID-19.
April 30th Update:
States to Resume Elective Surgeries
There are an increasing number of states that have announced plans to loosen restrictions and resume elective surgeries and/or are considering reopening hospital schedules for elective surgeries and other non- essential procedures. These states include:
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia.
April 29th Update:
Provider Occupational Licensing
Find access to occupational licensing information below. We will continue to post updates for our providers as new emergency licensing options are announced.
Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB)
States That Have Temporarily Waived Licensure Requirements
Click here for states modifying licensure requirements/renewals for physicians in response to COVID-19.
April 22nd Update:
The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission (IMLCC) Process
Click here for details from the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission (IMLCC)
Fingerprint-based Background Check
The IMLCC statute does not have provisions that would allow for waivers of the IMLCC statutory requirements, nor does it provide emergency powers that would authorize such waivers, including those which require that a fingerprint-based background check be conducted in order to issue a Letter of Qualification.
The Result: If a member board is unable to perform all required reviews, including performing a criminal background check, then that member board may not issue a Letter of Qualification until the reviews have been satisfactorily completed.
Extension of Expiration Dates and Change in Scope of Practice
The IMLCC statute is clear that once the license has been issued using the IMLCC process, it is to be treated the same as other full, unrestricted licenses issued by that member board.
The Result: A governor-issued action or legislative emergency action to extend or eliminate renewal dates applies to licenses issued using either the traditional or IMLCC process. The same applies to changes in scope of practice, like changing telemedicine restrictions or requirements.
States That Have Temporarily Waived Background Checks / Fingerprinting Requirements
Iowa
Click here for details on emergency COVID-19 declarations posted by the Iowa Board of Medicine.
All criminal background checks required for initial licensure are temporarily suspended during the period of this health emergency due to a temporary lack of fingerprinting services due to potential exposure to COVID-19.
Nebraska
Click here for more information on the “Fingerprint” Executive Order from Pete Ricketts, Governor of the State of Nebraska.
Criminal History Record Information Check by Fingerprint
Executive Order 20-10 allows registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, physical therapists, psychologists, emergency medical technicians, emergency care providers licensed under the Emergency Medical Services Practice Act, or any profession that is authorized to prescribe controlled substances, to be issued an initial license before receiving the results of a national criminal history record information check by fingerprint.
Minnesota
Click here for the Minnesota Department of Human Services and waivers and modifications that have been enacted.
Changes include:
- Waiving the requirements for fingerprint-based background studies for all categories.
The commissioner temporarily modified certain statutory background study requirements for workers who serve vulnerable Minnesotans.
April 15th Update:
Expedited Provider Licensing and Expiration Dates
1) States Expediting Licensure for Inactive and Retired Licensees
Click here for states expediting licensure for inactive and retired licensees in response to COVID-19.
2) States That Have Extended Current License Expiration Dates
Illinois: Click here for the IDFPR
- Medical License & Controlled Substance Registration
- Current expiration date: 7/31/2020
- Extended to: 9/30/2020
Texas: Click here for the Texas Medical Board
- Medical License
- Physician and physician assistant licensees whose current permit expired/expires on 2/28/2020 or 5/31/2020
- Will automatically be extended through 8/31/2020
Wyoming: Click here for the Wyoming Board of Medicine
- Medical License Only
- No changes to Controlled Substance Renewals
- Current expiration date: 6/30/2020
- Extended to: 9/30/2020
March 30th Update:
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Suspends Supervision Requirements for CRNAs
The CMS has temporarily suspended physician supervision requirements for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs).
Click here for more details on this unprecedented emergency declaration.
Hayes Locums Blog
Medicine, Economics and the COVID-19 Crisis
Hayes Locums Disclaimer: Please keep in mind this information is changing rapidly and is based on our current understanding of COVID-19, State Medical Boards and other resources. Information can and will likely change. We will continue to monitor and update this content as new information becomes available.
