The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency (PHE) effective January 31, 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic first appeared in the United States. The PHE was continuously renewed until earlier this year when the federal government announced that the PHE would expire on May 11, 2023. Certain waivers, legislative changes and flexibilities established during the PHE did end on May 11, with others extending through calendar year 2023. Additionally, Congress extended some legislative flexibilities through December 31, 2024, as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023. See guidance issued by CMS here.
Click here for a chart* of all the waivers, legislative changes and flexibilities and their status after May 11, 2023, impacting the following areas:
- COVID-19 Guidelines
- Telehealth, Remote Evaluations, Virtual Check-Ins & E-Visits
- Provider Enrollment
- Physicians & Other Clinicians
- Hospitals & Critical Access Hospitals (Including Swing Beds, Distinct Part Units, Ambulatory Surgery Centers & Community Mental Health Centers
- Teaching Hospitals, Teaching Physicians & Medical Residents
- Long-Term Care Facilities, Skilled Nursing Facilities & Nursing Facilities
- Laboratories
- Hospice & Home Health Agencies
- Inpatient Rehab Facilities
- Long-Term Care Hospitals & Extended Neoplastic Disease Care Hospitals
- Rural Health Clinics & Federally Qualified Health Centers
- Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics & Supplies
- Medicare Advantage & Part D Plans
- Medicare Shared Savings Program
- Participants in the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program
- Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
- Ambulances
- End-Stage Renal Disease Facilities
*Chart last updated August 2023 to reflect Proposed Rules from CMS.