Attn: All DQA Regulated Health and Residential Care Facilities
HHS Announced the Public Health Emergency for COVID-19 Ends May 11, 2023
On February 9, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19 will end on May, 11, 2023. COVID-19 remains a significant priority for the Biden-Harris Administration and over the next several months, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will work to ensure a smooth transition. During the PHE, CMS has used a combination of emergency authority waivers, regulations, enforcement discretion, and sub-regulatory guidance to ensure easier access to care during the PHE for health care providers and their beneficiaries.
Some of the flexibilities that were created during the pandemic were recently expanded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023. Others, while critical during our initial responses to COVID-19, are no longer needed. CMS has made further updates to our CMS Emergencies Page with useful information for providers – specifically around major telehealth and individual waivers – that were initiated during the Public Health Emergency (PHE).
Please reference the following guidance in response to the PHE ending May 11, 2023:
Provider-specific fact sheets about COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) waivers and flexibilities
Department of Health & Human Services Fact Sheet
In the coming weeks, CMS will be hosting stakeholder calls and office hours to provide additional information. Please continue to visit the CMS Emergencies Page for continuous updates regarding PHE sunsetting guidance as information becomes available to the public
Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) Information
The following DQA Memos creating flexibilities during the Public Health Emergency for COVID-19 will be obsoleted effective May 11, 2023.
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20-001 State Licensure Application for Temporary Expansion Locations during Public Health Emergency related to COVID-19
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20-002 CMS 1135 Waiver Provisions – Wisconsin Hospitals
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20-005 Guidance for Ambulatory Surgical Centers Temporarily Enrolling as a Hospital During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
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20-008 State Licensure Application for Temporary Nursing Facility Expansion Units and Transfer Options during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
CDC Guidance for COVID-19
Facilities are encouraged to continue to follow CDC COVID-19 guidance. Recommendations for providers can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
Questions
- For questions regarding hospitals and Ambulatory Surgical Center, please contact Ann Hansen
- For questions regarding nursing homes, please contact Ann Angell
- For questions regarding assisted living facilities, please contact Daniel Perron
- For questions regarding Physical Environment or L Life Safety Code, please contact Fokruddin Khondaker
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