Last week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra
extended the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) for an additional 90 days, effective April 21, 2021, which was the date that the current PHE was set to expire. The new expiration date for the COVID-19 PHE is now set for Tuesday, July 20, 2021. Currently, it is
expected that HHS will continue to renew its declaration of PHE every 90 days through the end of 2021 and will provide 60 days’ notice prior to ending it.
As noted in previous AHCA/NCAL communications, as long as the PHE is in place, CMS may retain its 1135 waivers. However, CMS could decide to phase out other waivers prior to the end of the PHE if it determines they are no longer needed. CMS will continue to monitor the emergency blanket waivers and may provide future updates.
You can access
more information regarding current waivers (including the three-day stay and nurse aide waiver) that remain in place. For questions, please contact
covid19@ahca.org.