General FAQ

Behavioral health clients that are served in outpatient treatment settings may be at elevated risk for acquiring COVID-19 and may have a more complicated course. This is because of increased comorbidity of chronic medical conditions as well as limitations in accessing preventive and ongoing primary care. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gives some specific guidance for outpatient facilities during the COVID-19 emergency:

• Reschedule non-urgent outpatient visits as necessary.

• Consider reaching out to patients who may be a higher risk of COVID-19-related complications (e.g., elderly, those with medical co-morbidities, pregnant women and potentially other persons who are at higher risk for complications from respiratory diseases) to ensure adherence to current medications and therapeutic regimens, confirm they have sufficient medication refills, and provide instructions to notify their provider by phone if they become ill.

• Eliminate patient penalties for cancellations and missed appointments related to respiratory illness.

• Use telemedicine including telephone where possible.

• Continue regular check in with high risk patients.

No, at this point, doors should not close to the public, but there should be a screening process implemented to limit exposure. Click here to view guidance from the CDC.

No, it is especially crucial at this time to ensure that we are able to serve vulnerable populations. New admissions should not stop.

No, discharge delay is not recommended. Providers should follow precautions based on their exposure level. Use this risk assessment tool from the CDC.

No. In response to the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued guidance on a temporary policy for non-enforcement of certain risk evaluation and mitigation strategies (REMS) requirements such as laboratory testing. This includes laboratory testing REMS requirements for clozapine.

The FDA recognizes that during the COVID-19 outbreak, completion of REMS-required laboratory testing or imaging studies may be difficult because patients may need to avoid public places and patients suspected of having COVID-19 may be self-isolating and/or subject to quarantine. Under these circumstances, undergoing laboratory testing or imaging studies in order to obtain a drug subject to a REMS can put patients and others at risk for transmission of the coronavirus.

For drugs subject to these REMS with laboratory testing requirements, health care providers prescribing and/or dispensing these drugs should consider whether there are compelling reasons not to complete these tests the outbreak, and use their best medical judgment in weighing the benefits and risks of continuing treatment in the absence of laboratory testing and imaging studies. Health care providers should also communicate with their patients regarding these judgments, including the risks associated with it.

Although all REMS requirements remain in effect, the FDA does not intend to take enforcement action against sponsors or others for accommodations made regarding laboratory testing requirements provided that such accommodations were made based on the judgment of a health care professional.