Breaking news: CMS to require staff at hospitals, other facilities to be vaccinated against COVID-19

by A.J. Plunkett (aplunkett@decisionhealth.com)

Look for an interim final rule in October that will require “staff within all Medicare and Medicaid-certified facilities” to be vaccinated against COVID-19, according to a press release by CMS on Thursday afternoon.

The Biden-Harris administration says it wants to protect the facilities and patients “from the virus and its more contagious Delta variant.  Facilities across the country should make efforts now to get health care staff vaccinated to make sure they are in compliance when the rule takes effect,” according to the release.

The rule, which will include hospitals among other facilities, is expected to follow in line with the emergency regulations requiring nursing home workers to be vaccinated that were issued earlier this year.

“CMS is developing an Interim Final Rule with Comment Period that will be issued in October,” according to the announcement. “CMS expects certified Medicare and Medicaid facilities to act in the best interest of patients and staff by complying with new COVID-19 vaccination requirements.  Health care workers employed in these facilities who are not currently vaccinated are urged to begin the process immediately. Facilities are urged to use all available resources to support employee vaccinations, including employee education and clinics, as they work to meet new federal requirements.”