Note from Your VCNP President
Happy National Nurses Week!
It has been two months since the COVID-19 pandemic has altered the way we live and work in Virginia. Thank you to everyone for your continued dedication to patients and support of VCNP. We are working to share information with you as quickly as possible and appreciate your feedback as we move forward.

Latest updates about CMS CARES Act
Earlier this week, CMS announced some updates that impact our practice.
Retroactive to March 1, NPs are permanently authorized to certify for Medicare and Medicaid home health care services in accordance
with state law.
  For the duration of the public health emergency, audio-only telehealth services can be reimbursed at the same rates as other telehealth services for Medicare patients. The list of codes that are allowed to be billed when provided by audio-only has been expanded to include additional behavioral health and patient education services.
  For the duration of the public health emergency, NPs are authorized to supervise the performance of diagnostic tests for Medicare patients in accordance with state law.
Additional information can be found at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services page and the AANP COVID-19 practice
and policy resources page.  
Autonomous practice licensure
Governor Northam’s Executive Order 57 allows NPs with two or more years of clinical experience to practice without a collaborating agreement during the state of emergency. This order is temporary and does not reduce the need for autonomous practice licensure. As of May 1, there were 836 NPs with autonomous practice licensure in Virginia. There are still thousands of NPs who are eligible. If you meet the requirements, please apply to eliminate future practice barriers. If you have received your license, we want to hear from you! Please share your photo and 1-2 sentences about why you applied for use in future VCNP communications.
Virtual conversations with colleagues
Still have questions? Miss networking with colleagues? VCNP is hosting casual, members-only virtual events to allow you to support and encourage each other, ask questions, and share practice changes and adaptations during this pandemic. Space for each session is limited to the first 20 registrants, and registration is required. Once registered, attendees will receive an email with the GoToMeeting log-in information. Registration is now open for the May 12 and 18 calls. Watch your email for information about registering for the May 22 event. Please also let us know if you’re interested in future calls after May 22 and if you have specific topics you’d like to discuss.
Photos needed
2020 is the Year of the Nurse and Midwife, and May is National Nurses Month. We want to share photos of our members at work, with colleagues, or volunteering in the community. If there are other people in your photo, please confirm that you can share their image, and identify who is in the photo. Please do not send photos that include patients.
VCNP on social media
Be sure to follow VCNP on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
I continue to be amazed at the resilience and commitment of my NP colleagues. Thank you for all you’re doing to provide access to healthcare for Virginia’s citizens. Next month, VCNP’s state and regional leaders will be gathering virtually to plan for the coming year. Please let us know how VCNP can support you now and in the future.
Becky Compton, DNP, RN, FNP-BC
President, VCNP Board of Directors