The Biden administration has announced its intention to end the COVID-19 National Emergency (NE) and the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) on May 11, 2023 (read our series introduction for more information). Among other things: The NE and the PHE modified the rules governing financial requirements and quantitative treatment limitations under the Mental Health Parity
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Telehealth and the End of the COVID-19 Emergency
The Biden administration has announced its intent to end the COVID-19 National Emergency (NE) and the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) on May 11, 2023 (read our prior article for more information). In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, lawmakers and agencies made legislative and regulatory changes to expand access to telehealth services for individuals. This article explores…
The Bosses May Be Back in Charge (but Not as Much as They Think)
CEOs may think they are fully in control of their workforces, but this belief may be more of an illusion than reality. In this Forbes article, McDermott Partner Michael Peregrine says certain pandemic-era changes to their authority may be more lasting than they realize–especially as it relates to their dynamic with the board of directors.…
Coverage of COVID-19 Vaccines and the End of the COVID-19 Emergency
Since the Biden administration announced its intention to end the COVID-19 National Emergency (NE) and the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) on May 11, 2023, a topic of great debate has been the requirement and the coverage of COVID-19 vaccines. As of March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act has…
Coverage of COVID-19 Testing and the End of the COVID-19 Emergency
A key feature of the COVID-19 National Emergency (NE) and the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) was the government’s ability to provide access and coverage of COVID-19 tests. This resulted in overlapping legislation targeted at providing tests to benefit plan participants for free. With the end of the NE and PHE set for May 11,…
How Employers Need to Prepare for the End of the COVID Public Health Emergency and National Emergency
On January 30, 2023, the Biden administration announced its intention to make final extensions of both the COVID-19 National Emergency (NE) and the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) through May 11, 2023, at which point both will end. These emergency declarations have been in place for nearly three years and have enabled the government to…
Amid Dwindling COVID Relief Funds, Rural Hospitals Face a ‘Fiscal Cliff’
What do healthcare leaders predict is next for rural hospitals? In this Fierce Healthcare article, McDermott Partner Emily Jane Cook offers her perspective about rural emergency hospitals and possible legislative action around them. Access the article.
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Pandemic Response Accountability Committee Report Highlights Telehealth Program Integrity Concerns
On December 1, 2022, the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC) Health Care Subgroup issued its report on fraud, waste and abuse risks that arose as a result of the dramatic increase in telehealth services provided during the COVID-19 pandemic. The PRAC was created under the CARES Act to oversee the historic spending that was part of the…
Senate Approves Resolution to End COVID-19 National Emergency Declaration
On November 15, the Senate approved a resolution to end the national emergency concerning COVID-19 declared by the president on March 13, 2020. The resolution was approved by a bipartisan vote of 62–36, with 13 Democrats joining all present Republicans in voting for the resolution. While ending the national emergency is different than ending the…
CMS Downshifts on Expectations for Covered Healthcare Provider Staff COVID-19 Vaccination
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released guidance for surveyors that provides leeway in surveying for compliance with the November 2021 interim final rule with comment that imposed a vaccination mandate for most staff at certain covered provider types. Read more here.
The post CMS Downshifts on Expectations for Covered Healthcare Provider Staff…