All rights reserved. The Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget, issued a Statement of Administration Policy on Jan. 30, 2023, that the Administration plans to extend the PHE to May 11. In a recent letter to Governors, Acting Health and Human Services Secretary Norris Cochran signaled that the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) "will likely remain in place for the entirety of 2021."Moreover, the letter assures states that when a determination is made to terminate the PHE or let it expire, HHS will provide states with 60 days' notice. The White House Covid task force has repeatedly sought to reassure the public that the U.S. is in a much stronger place today due to the widespread availability of Covid vaccines and treatments that prevent severe disease and death. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has formally extended the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). (Drew Angerer/Getty Images). At some point in 2023, the PHE will almost certainly be lifted. (Caroline Brehman/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images). Telehealth for American Indian and Alaska Native communities, Licensure during the COVID-19 public health emergency, HIPAA flexibility for telehealth technology, Prescribing controlled substances via telehealth, Telehealth policy changes after the COVID-19 public health emergency, telehealth flexibilities authorized during the COVID-19 public health emergency, Temporary Medicare changes through December 31, 2024, Temporary changes through the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), telehealth services for behavioral/mental health care, Calendar Year 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), Guidance on How the HIPAA Rules Permit to Use Remote Communication Technologies for Audio-Only Telehealth, Families First Coronovirus Response Act and Coronavirus Response Act and Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act Implementation, FAQs on Telehealth and HIPAA during the COVID-19 nationwide public health emergency. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government declared a public health emergency (PHE). 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. This is a move that HHS has made every 90 days since the emergency was declared in January 2020. This "continuous coverage" requirement allowed millions of Californians to stay on Medi-Cal during an unprecedented health crisis. needed to reduce procedural denials and keep eligible Texans covered. Federal flexibility that HHSC has used to dig out of application processing backlogs during the pandemic will, at the end of the PHE. Congress enacted a federal COVID relief law in 2020 that allowed people with Medicaid to maintain their coverage, gave families extra help through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and provided substantial additional federal Medicaid and SNAP funding to states during the pandemic. The renewal process (sometimes called redetermination or RRR) for Health First Colorado and CHP+ members occurs annually. One of the benefits of this law is it allowed the State of Connecticut to extend Medicaid and CHIP ("HUSKY Health") coverage in response to the coronavirus pandemic. States will then resume regular Medicaid renewal processes, including disenrollments that have been paused during the pandemic. C. 3137, and require in-state health care providers to Get updates on telehealth endstream endobj startxref On October 13, the federal government extended the COVID-19 PHE declaration, as has happened every three months since January 2020. HHSC has taken, to reduce eligibility worker vacancies and backlogs, though the long wait times have persisted. Available 8:30 a.m.5:00 p.m. All Rights Reserved. We want all Coloradans to get covered and stay covered. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in Washington on July 13, 2020. The Urban Institute predicted nearly 16 million people could be cut from Medicaid rolls if the emergency ended after 2022's third quarter. 64% of Latinos and 40% of Black non-Latinos who will lose coverage at the end of the PHE will still qualify for Medicaid, compared to only 17% of White non-Latinos. Low-income families, postpartum mothers, seniors, and people with disabilities have been able to maintain reliable and affordable health coverage and received extra help paying for food through a period marked by job loss, housing disruptions, increased mental health needs, a strained health care system, and steep increases in the prices of food, rent, and gasoline. Coloradans who are not eligible for Health First Colorado or CHP+ can purchase health insurance through the state's official health insurance marketplace,Connect for Health Colorado. State leaders and the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) must carefully prepare now and address significant, to help prevent a tidal wave of eligible Texans primarily children from losing Medicaid coverage starting as early as February 2023. The travel mask mandate has also been extended until May 3, 2022. Clinicians should be aware that states may have different dates for ending local PHEs. The COVID-19 PHE was first declared in January 2020 by then HHS Secretary, Alex Azar II, with the previous extension issued by Becerra on July 15, 2022. At some point in 2023, the PHE will almost certainly be lifted. Clinicians should be aware that states may have different dates for ending local PHEs. California's adherence to this continuous coverage requirement has kept millions from being disenrolled from the state Medicaid program, Medi-Cal, thereby allowing Californians to maintain stable health coverage during a turbulent time. Members can find out their renewal date on CO.gov/PEAK at any time. Some members will be automatically renewed based on the most recent information already on file with the state. [CDATA[/* >