HHS extends public health emergency for another 90 days

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra

Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has announced a 90-day extension of the public health emergency that was due to expire on April 16. 

The PHE is being extended for the ninth time since January 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Cases are again surging in some areas with mask mandates being implemented in certain regions.

WHY THIS MATTERS

The PHE has allowed hospitals and providers to use waivers for innovation in such areas as telehealth and acute hospital care at home.

HHS and the Biden Administration have said they would give 60 days prior notice before ending the PHE.

Experts have said that HHS is giving signals to winding down the PHE. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is phasing out certain flexibilities for long-term care to return to pre-COVID-19 policies for skilled nursing facilities, inpatient hospices, intermediate care facilities for those with intellectual disabilities and end-stage renal disease facilities.

Federal funds are no longer available for vaccine administration, and testing and treatment under the COVID-19 Uninsured Program.

THE LARGER TREND

The PHE has been in place since January 2020. It was renewed four times under previous HHS Secretary Alex Azar, and now five times under Becerra.

ON THE RECORD

"We are pleased to hear the national Public Health Emergency has been extended for another 90 days. Now is the time for state agencies to ensure adequate plans are in place to unwind and process redeterminations to ensure that the millions of adults and children who gained access to coverage over the past two years do not experience a gap in coverage," said Heather Korbulic, senior policy and strategy lead at GetInsured.
 

Twitter: @SusanJMorse
Email the writer: susan.morse@himssmedia.com