The public health emergency (PHE) enacted during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic will continue past January 2023.
The Department of Health and Human Service (HHS) did not alert states of its intent to lift the PHE by a deadline, effectively extending it past January. HHS is required to give states 60 days’ notice before ending the PHE. A PHE gives the Secretary of HHS the ability to take certain actions. The PHE for the COVID-19 pandemic provided new flexibility for healthcare organizations to provide virtual care and offer services related to the pandemic situations.
These flexibilities have become so crucial toward continued care for many patients that providers will be significantly impacted if the PHE were to end abruptly. Even a 60-day wind-down period will have an impact.
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HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra has previously promised a 60-day notice for providers before the PHE flexibilities will end. The agency last extended the PHE for another 90 days in October, which will end Jan. 11 without another renewal. However, since Becerra did not notify providers of a 60-day period for the PHE to end, it will likely be renewed again prior to the January 11 deadline.
The extension comes as more healthcare organizations, including major players such as Amazon and CVS Health, are still ramping up their virtual care offerings. Amazon recently unveiled its latest venture into healthcare, Amazon Clinic, that will offer telehealth services thanks to its current acquisition of One Medical for nearly $4 billion.
Healthcare officials are also expecting the winter season to bring on a new wave of infectious disease cases, including an early flu season and a new wave of COVID-19 cases.
Another big change under the PHE was the number of people who were covered under Medicaid during the pandemic. Ending the PHE will cause a redetermination of eligibility for coverage. In fact, up to 15 million people could lose health insurance coverage under Medicaid when the PHE ends, according to HHS. Hospitals will also lose operational flexibilities when the PHE ends, and many providers are likely not prepared to make those changes with just 60 days.
Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."