FAQ: Your Lone Star Alliance coverage during the COVID-19 crisis

Lone Star Alliance, RRG (LSA) is here to assist you in navigating these uncertain times.

That said, it is our deep commitment to you, our policyholders, to maintain business as usual during this crisis. Whether you have questions about your coverage or how to prepare your practice for coronavirus, we remain available to help you.

Your LSA coverage will continue to protect you through the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.

We anticipate a flurry of announcements from both state and federal authorities in the coming days, and these announcements may impact how you conduct your practice. We will endeavor to share information by updating this FAQ page regularly.

FAQ Coverage Questions:

Will LSA provide coverage for temporary telemedicine services due to the COVID-19 pandemic?
Yes, in response to the needs of physicians and adjustments made by various state medical boards, LSA will expand telemedicine coverage accordingly.

Per HHS.gov, during the COVID-19 national emergency, “covered health care providers subject to the HIPAA Rules may seek to communicate with patients, and provide telehealth services, through remote communications technologies. Some of these technologies, and the manner in which they are used by HIPAA covered health care providers, may not fully comply with the requirements of the HIPAA Rules.

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) will exercise its enforcement discretion and will not impose penalties for noncompliance with the regulatory requirements under the HIPAA Rules against covered health care providers in connection with the good faith provision of telehealth during the COVID-19 nationwide public health emergency.”

However, there are limitations on the use of “public facing” platforms, such Facebook Live. See the bulletin for more information.

We understand that additional physicians will be performing telemedicine and may be asked to perform tasks outside their routine practice. We ask that all physicians follow their state medical board and specialty specific guidelines, as well as have appropriate training in what procedures they perform.

Your policy does not require any changes if you:

following the telemedicine guidelines of your state medical board; and
new and existing patients reside within the state in which coverage has already been agreed upon by LSA.

Contact us as soon as possible if you are considering practicing in states outside the state(s) for which your LSA coverage currently applies

Will LSA provide coverage if I am asked to temporarily provide care outside my current scope of practice in response to the COVID-19 pandemic?
We anticipate many policyholders may be asked to temporarily treat patients for medical conditions outside their routine practice. If this occurs, please follow medical board guidelines as well as have appropriate training in what procedures you perform. You may also contact LSA to discuss the situation and determine coverage.

Will my policy provide coverage for volunteer work in response to the COVID-19 pandemic?
Yes, if policyholders are asked to volunteer medical services, coverage will be provided. Good Samaritan coverage may also be available in certain situations.

What if my group or I need to hire retired or inactive physicians, advanced practice professionals, or staff in response to the COVID-19 pandemic?
If this occurs, we ask those inactive, retired, or advanced practice professionals to (re)apply for coverage. We will review on a case-by-case basis. If a provider was previously issued free retirement tail coverage from LSA, we will not consider this as a breach of the permanent retirement provision for free tail coverage.

Will my policy provide coverage for a locum tenens physician who may substitute for me, in case I am unable to see patients due to exposure or health concerns related to COVID-19?
If you are unable to work, you can request coverage for locum tenens coverage under your LSA policy. To request locum tenens coverage, please provide written notice before the scheduled absence, if possible. An application for the substituting provider may be required.

Will I qualify for a Leave of Absence (LOA) discount if I choose to suspend my practice (due to personal health concerns, staff exposure concerns, etc.) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic?
Please contact LSA to discuss whether your circumstances can be considered an LOA qualifying event. Part-time coverage may be an option.

What if my premium payment(s) are delayed due to COVID-19 developments?
If your payment is delayed or expected to be delayed, please contact us as early as possible.

COVID-19 resources
This is a developing issue, and we encourage you to use the following resources to stay informed with the most up-to-date and reliable information: