Update on Waivers and Rule Changes for COVID-19
TEMPORARY MEDICARE REGULATION CHANGES – Updated April 2022
On April 12, 2022, the Department of Health and Human Services released a declaration of renewal of the National Public Health Emergency (PHE) which will be in effect for another 90 days, starting April 16th, ending July 15th. This declaration renews the PHE for the 9th time.
In addition to the video below, review THIS ARTICLE UPDATE outlining the pieces of the waiver that expired May 7th, and the ones set to expire June 6th.
DOWNLOAD COVID-19 PRESENTATION SLIDES
*It is recommended that you view the COVID-19 video after you have completed the Part A training material.
A note about TELEHEALTH IN THE SNF
“Will ability to use telehealth in SNF with Part A patients continue 151 days post end of PHE, the same as outpatient services (part B billed?) per the Consolidated Appropriations act of 2022?”
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 was passed and will extend the ability therapy professionals to continue to provide telehealth on a temporary basis for an additional 151 days after the PHE formally ends. This Act temporarily extends the therapy professionals ability to provide telehealth by considering PTs, PTAs, OTs, OTAs and SLP “approved providers” of telehealth. Once this grace period expires, therapy professionals will no longer be able to provide telehealth services to Medicare Part A and B residents. As always, therapy professionals will need to check with their state to determine if telehealth is permitted for each discipline, as these state rules would supersede Medicare regulation.