When Will Programs and Policies Enacted during the Pandemic End?
June 13, 2022In March 2020, we began a series of articles designed to help you stay abreast of the many regulatory changes and funding opportunities to help you get through the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE).
The PHE is scheduled to end on July 15, 2022, unless it is extended for another 90 days, but regardless of exactly when the PHE ends, you need to know what to expect. Some policies will end immediately, and others will end a number of days later.
Medicare provider enrollment
Less obvious than telehealth was the relaxation of provider revalidation for Medicare, the expediting of provider applications, and the ability for certain providers to terminate their opt-out status during the PHE. These administrative rules will revert to their normal status as soon as the PHE declaration ends.
Medicaid enrollment
Practices could see a shift in their patients’ Medicaid coverage once the PHE ends. Qualifying states were eligible for additional Medicaid funding during the PHE if they maintained the enrollment of individuals who were previously enrolled in Medicaid on or after March 18, 2020, through the end of the month in which the PHE ends, or July 31, 2022, if the PHE ends on July 15. The enhanced funding for the state will continue through the end of the quarter in which the PHE ends, or September 30, 2022, if the PHE ends in July.
Provider Relief Fund (PRF) reporting
Practices that received funding from the PRF must continue to report on the use of those funds. The reporting schedule depends on when the funds were received and could extend to as late as September 2023 for funds received in the first half of 2022.