The Biden Administration announced on Jan. 30 its intention to extend the COVID-19 national emergency and public health emergency (PHE) through May 11, and then end both emergencies on that date.

The expiration of the COVID-19 emergency declarations will have significant impacts on the nation's health care system. ACC Advocacy staff have compiled a brief list of implications relevant to cardiovascular clinicians.

The end of the PHE will lead to several policy changes tied directly to the PHE, including but not limited to:

• Changes to the cost sharing for COVID-19 vaccines, testing and certain treatments
• Ending enhanced Inpatient Prospective Payment System reimbursement rate for patients diagnosed with COVID-19
• Ending waivers for potential penalties for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act violations against health care providers that serve patients in good faith through everyday communication technologies
• Ending ability to use telemedicine to prescribe controlled substances
• Ending Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program flexibilities including disaster relief plan amendments and different waiver programs

In addition, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 introduced several provisions that decoupled select policies from the PHE, including:

• Extending Medicare telehealth flexibilities through Dec. 31, 2024, regardless of PHE status
• Delinking Medicaid continuous enrollment provision from the PHE and ending continuous enrollment on March 31, 2023
• Phasing down enhanced federal funding through Dec. 31, 2023

For more information on the Administration's recent announcement, access the official statement. A more detailed list of policies impacted by the end of the PHE can be found here. For the latest news and guidance on COVID-19, check out the ACC's COVID-19 Hub.

Clinical Topics: Cardiovascular Care Team, COVID-19 Hub

Keywords: ACC Advocacy, United States, COVID-19 Vaccines, Medicaid, Medicare, Inpatients, Controlled Substances, Emergencies, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Pandemics, Telemedicine, Policy, Social Responsibility

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