On July 23, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, Alex Azar, . The PHE was set to expire on July 25, but will now be extended for another 90 days.
The 黑料网® has been in of extending the PHE declaration and advocated for the renewal. PHE status has allowed necessary flexibilities and protections to physicians during a time when patients need access to care.
There are various regulatory and payment policy implications surrounding this declaration, which include:
- Requirements that insurers cover COVID-19 testing without cost-sharing;
- Telehealth waivers and reimbursement;
- Adjustments made to the Medicare Shared Savings Program surrounding shared losses; and
- Medicare inpatient 20% add-on payment for COVID-19 patients.
Those policies that are contingent on PHE status will remain in effect.