FINANCIAL RESOURCES

BUILDING A VIRTUAL PRACTICE RESOURCES

Language use during this time
It is imperative to refrain from using language of "cure", "treat", "prevention" or anything that suggests these things when speaking about COVID-19. The NMC has already received numerous complaints about this and is taking disciplinary action. Please use good judgement when wording advice and care regaring COVID-19 to patients, your website, and social media platforms.  Clnics across the country are being raided for making claims involving COVID-19; it is unclear exactly what the FBI is looking for, but this is another example of these agencing being on heightened alert and enforecemnt of anything perceived as being a false or misleading statement to the public about protocols, products, or services claiming to "prevent, treat, or cure" COVID-19. Early May, the FTC sent warning letters to 45 health clinics for making "unsupported claims" regarding COVID-19 treatment. Please refer to the AANPs template on languange guidance during this time.

Are NDs considered "essential" businesses in California?
Any and all healthcare providers are considered essential, however, it is advised that you do not conduct business for any voluntary procedures or treatments that are not immediately necessary.  Please contact your local county health department if you need guidance on determining what treatments are considered essential and non-essential at this time, as these rules can vary by jurisdiction.

What is being done at this time to further the scope of practice for NDs in California? Can we get a temporary scope of expansion during this time so we can independently prescribe antibiotics for secondary infections or administer a Covid19 vaccine if it becomes available?
The NMC is working with the Dept. of Consumer Affairs and the Committee on Business and Professions to get an emergency policy in place to allow broader prescribing rights during this emergency. The ask has been made for the Governor to include this in an updated executive order although it is amongst many others, and we are waiting on a response; a list of current executive orders can be found here. Gaining independent prescription ability during this time may be depent on holding licensure in another state that allows independent prescribing and/or having taken the pharmacology elective of the board licencing exam. As a long term goal, the NMC will continue using this pandemic to show the need to allow CA NDs to have parity with neighboring states scopes. 

What can NDs do individually during this time to help with scope expansion efforts?
Please contact your legislators and representatives with letters and calls to bring attention to how naturopathic medicine can alleviate the provider shortage and help at this time, especially if broader scope is in place; the more they hear from their constituents on these matters the more they pay attention.

Is it within our scope to volunteer our services at local hospitals or drive-up clinic sites?
Yes. Please contact hospitals directly as well as the EMSA who is coordinating ER efforts in the state. The NMC is also aware of the new research that is available regarding IV Vitamin C and shortened duration of hospital stays for COVID-19 patients, and are prepared to help get NDs into hospitals to assist with administering this therapy to patients should it be recognized as a treatment option.

Will patients be able to get COVID-19 testing ordered through NDs?
Ordering COVID-19 testing for patients with private insurance through the usual labs (Quest, LabCorp) should operate the same as other testing. ICD-10 guidance is provided here. No exceptions for NDs have been confirmed for Medicare patients during this time, i.e. tests ordered by NDs for Medicare patients are not likely to be covered. We are waiting for further clarification on sending patients to local drive-up facilities with requisition forms signed by NDs.

Can we provide telemedicine across state lines with the new CMS guidelines?
If you are licensed to practice medicine in another state you may conduct telemedicine with individuals that are residents or have proof of residence in that state; this is not specific to current affairs. If you do not hold a license in the state in which the patient resides it is ill-advised to conduct telemedicine with them, especially if they reside in a pre-licensed state. However, some practioners choose to act as health consultants in these situations, not providing explicit medical advice. The NMC and the AANP are working to gain clarification on whether current CMS guidelines that allow MDs to practice across state lines can apply to NDs, regardless of state licensure status. In the mean time, it is advised that you check with the naturopathic board in the state in which the patient resides to see if they will grant you temporary licensure (see the next question regarding WA and OR as examples). Understand that CMS guidelines are federal guidelines and intended for Medicare and Medicaid persons. We do not have federal recogniztion as NDs but it is anticipated that many insurers and agencies will use CMS guidelines to guide their own policy decisions during this time, and thus we must wait to see what this may mean for NDs. We will update this space as we learn more.

When states have declared an emergency and lift restrictions to allow physicians licensed in another state to practice in California, if/how does this apply to us?
At this time, both Oregon and Washington have emergency policies in place which allow this.  Any licensed California ND who is interested in volunteering in those states are urged to contact the licensing authorities in the respective states to apply. Further, out-of-state NDs who wish to provide services to CA patients must apply through the clinic that wishes to utilize their services at CA EMSA at https://emsa.ca.gov/covid19/ and scroll down to Authorization Request Form.​

What about CE requirements during this time?
The NMC does not have the authority to waive CE requirements at this time but rules have been relaxed to allow online courses in lieu of in-person CE.

Can we get any unemployment?
Most Californians can apply for unemployment benefits if they are sick/quarantined.  Contact www.edd.ca.gov and click on the COVID-19 Resources box near the bottom of the page. The Governor waived the one-week unpaid waiting period.  There is more information on the EDD website. 

If we reduce hours for staff, can they claim unemployment?
Yes, employees who have had hours reduced may also apply for unemployment insurance (UI).  Contact www.edd.ca.gov and click on the COVID-19 Resources box near the bottom of the page.

Do we need to pay 3 months leave for staff?
This is a question that should be posed to the Ca EDD office.  Employers planning a closure or major layoffs as a result of the coronavirus can get help through the Rapid Response program. For more information, refer to the Rapid Response Services for Business Fact Sheet or contact your local America's Job Center of California. There are also changes to requirements for Federal Emergency Medical Paid Sick Leave and Emergency Family Medical Sick Leave to be aware of. Legal counsel on this is advised.