End of Public Health Emergency announced

Posted on: 2/3/23

The Biden administration has informed Congress it will end the COVID-19 national and public health emergencies (PHE) May 11 — signaling an end to the pandemic’s crisis era and an unwinding of federal flexibilities that reshaped the nation’s health care system.

“At present, the administration’s plan is to extend the emergency declarations to May 11, and then end both emergencies on that date,” the Office of Management and Budget said in a Jan. 30 statement. “This wind-down would align with the administration’s previous commitments to give at least 60 days’ notice prior to termination of the PHE.”

CMS’ 1135 waivers are tied to the PHE, but the year-end package passed in late December extended telehealth coverage and “hospital at home” until Dec. 31, 2024, regardless of when the PHE ends. For a comprehensive list of all flexibilities in place during the PHE, and what will happen when the PHE ends, please see this Kaiser Family Foundation article. (LaWanna Halstead)