The COVID-19 pandemic has most likely changed the way you and your staff care for patients – at least temporarily.
Restrictions on telemedicine have been eased, and health care professionals are being advised to take steps to protect themselves and their patients from the virus, including working from home if possible.
If you’re concerned or uncertain about expanded medical leave, paid sick leave, or complying with other regulations regarding personnel, Texas Medical Association Practice Management Services experts have created a frequently asked questions (FAQ) to help guide your practice during the pandemic.
Questions addressed in the FAQ include:
- Which employers are covered under the new Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)?
- Which employees are eligible under the FFCRA for expanded family and medical leave and paid sick leave?
- Am I required to provide paid sick leave or paid family and medical leave to employees who can’t work because of COVID-19?
- Are tax credits available to help offset the cost of providing paid leave under the FFCRA?
- Do I need to reimburse work from home expenses (e.g., use of cell phone, internet) while staff are working remotely?
In addition, TMA has created a draft letter you can use to let essential staff know they will be required to work in your practice during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The TMA COVID-19 Task Force also has published a draft letter you can customize and print out for essential staff to use while traveling to your facility under stay-at-home orders.
You can also find the FAQ on TMA’s COVID-19 Resource Center, which is constantly updated with news, resources, and government guidance on the coronavirus outbreak.
Last Updated On
March 27, 2020
Originally Published On
March 27, 2020