Every 10 years, the U.S. Census Bureau undertakes the extraordinary task of counting the individuals residing in the United States and its island areas. With 2020 being a census year, it is no surprise that this all-important and constitutionally mandated task would also be impacted by the current COVID-19 pandemic.

As the private sector reopens, employees in medical office settings are making similar complaints as their hospital counterparts, which can generate a Cal/OSHA complaint letter to the business (your medical practice). Failure to respond results in an unscheduled inspection of your workplace and can result in fines if violations are found.

With the health emergency declared, Alex Azar, Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), proceeded to issue multiple waivers under his authority of the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) to quickly expand access to and use of telehealth services for Medicare recipients.

Historically, communicable diseases, such as the flu, have generally not been covered by workers’ compensation insurance. Workers can file a workers’ compensation claim alleging COVID-19 contraction or exposure, but until the recent Executive Order N-62-20 signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, they would have to show that they contracted the disease while they were on the job.

When the COVID-19 health crisis subsides, the contributions by healthcare providers to lessening the suffering of the population will be one of the pandemic’s major stories. But when the lessons learned in 2020 become part of necessary changes in healthcare-related laws and regulations, will physicians personally take part in that conversation?