Although the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) ended on May 11th, providers were left wondering how to handle staff vaccinations. CMS and HHS have provided the answer: Medicare-certified providers no longer need to adhere to the mandate that was in effect during the PHE. Typically there is a multi-month period between when a rule is first announced/posted on the Federal Register, but in this case providers can stop complying with the mandate immediately. However, please note that CMS intends to encourage ongoing COVID-19 vaccination through its quality reporting and value-based incentive programs in the near future.”
Click here to read the draft of the Final Rule on the Federal Register.