COVID-19 PHE is extended again, effective October 18

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

The Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra signed another order today (October 15) extending the national public health emergency (PHE) related to the COVID-19 pandemic for another 90 days.

The order is effective October 18 and lasts through January 16, 2022, unless it is rescinded earlier.

The first COVID-19 PHE was declared in January 2020 and allows hospitals and other health care providers certain flexibilities under Conditions of Participation (CoP) and Conditions of Coverage (CoC).

To see the list of waivers available under the COVID-19 PHE, go to https://www.cms.gov/files/document/covid-19-emergency-declaration-waivers.pdf. The list is constantly updated by CMS as waivers are added or deleted.