Tag: Coronavirus

CMS Ends COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a final rule ending the COVID-19 vaccination requirements for health care providers. The decision for CMS to end the vaccination requirements was expected based on information provided in a May 1, 2023 memo from the CMS Quality and Safety Oversight Group. CMS addresses three separate…

Questions After the End of The PHE: What Do We Do Now?

The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) officially ended on May 11 and providers worked to make sure they were handling associated waivers and flexibilities appropriately. As they focused on everyday operations and regulatory requirements, some questions arose about the COVID-19 vaccination requirements and screening guidance, as well as several other topics. Each topic is discussed…

CDC Issues Guidance for Masking in Health Care Settings

The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) has issued revised guidance for Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic . The guidance applies to all health care settings and provides a framework to implement select infection prevention and control practices based on their individual circumstances.…

NEW: DEA Temporarily Extends Flexibilities for Telehealth Prescribing

Yesterday, May 9, 2023, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) issued a temporary rule that extends telemedicine flexibilities regarding prescription of controlled medications.  The goal of the rule is to ensure a smooth transition for patients and practitioners that have come to rely on the availability…

Update on DEA Proposed Rule on Telemedicine Prescribing

In late February 2023 (see NAHC Report), the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) proposed a rule intended to govern the prescribing of controlled substances via telemedicine for application at the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). The proposed rule focuses on prescribing of a controlled substance via telemedicine consultation by a medical practitioner when no in-person…

Preparing For the End of the COVID-19 PHE

The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) which began in early 2020 will come to an end on May 11, 2023.  Throughout the PHE various waivers, regulations, enforcement discretion, and sub-regulatory guidance were utilized to ensure access to care and give health care providers the flexibilities needed to respond to the PHE. Some of these flexibilities…

NAHC Requests CMS Continue Therapy Waiver

As the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) winds down, home health agencies have expressed  concerns around  the expiration of one waiver (§484.55(a)(2) and §484.55(b)(3)), issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), that allowed any rehabilitation professional (occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists) to perform the initial and comprehensive assessment for all patients…

CMS Call on Ending COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

Tuesday, April 25, 2023 3:30 PM (EDT) – 4:30 PM (EDT) RSVP HERE Below is a notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) about an upcoming National Office Hours Call on the Ending of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. NAHC has received a number of questions from providers about the waivers and flexibilities…

Key Info About the End of the Public Health Emergency

This article compiled with the assistance of our friends at Alston & Bird LLP. You are probably seeing news stories about this bill which the President has said he will sign. This is not the Public Health Emergency (set to end on May 11) since the PHE is designated by HHS and the national emergency…

Preparing Home Health and Hospice Providers for the PHE Expiration

Thursday, March 16, 2023 1:00 PM-2:00 PM EDT   REGISTER On May 11, 2023 the federal government will end the public health emergency (PHE) related to the COVID-19 pandemic. For the past three years healthcare providers have been operating under numerous regulatory waivers and statutory flexibilities. Many of the waivers and flexibilities will expire with…