BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO END COVID-19 PHE on MAY 11

The Biden Administration announced that it plans to end the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) on May 11, 2023. This decision comes after multiple renewals over the past three years. MGMA appreciates that the Administration heeded our call to provide at least 90-days’ notice prior to concluding the PHE. The end of the PHE will have ramifications for a variety of flexibilities afforded by the pandemic over the last several years, such as HIPAA penalty waivers, controlled substance prescription waivers, and COVID-19 testing and treatment coverage.

For more information on the flexibilities that will conclude along with the PHE, download MGMA’s member-exclusive resource .

MGMA SUBMITS FEEDBACK ON THE CONNECT FOR HEALTH ACT

On Monday, MGMA sent feedback to the Senate Telehealth Working Group and House Telehealth Caucus on a potential reintroduction of the CONNECT for Health Act (CONNECT Act). Previous iterations of the CONNECT Act aimed to permanently expand access to telehealth services and the last version was endorsed by more than 170 organizations including MGMA.

MGMA offered the following suggestions to include in a new version of the bill:

• Remove geographic and originating site restrictions,
• Allow permanent coverage of audio-only services,
• Reimburse telehealth visits at an appropriate rate,
• Preserve the patient-physician relationship,
• Eliminate the in-person requirement for mental telehealth services, and
• Provide training and resources to practices.

With the Administration announcing its plans to end the COVID-19 PHE on May 11, there is ample opportunity to permanently install vital telehealth flexibilities to promote access to high-quality care.