In late January 2020, The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a public health emergency declaration. Several payment policies and regulatory adjustments are attached to the public health emergency, including the Medicare inpatient 20% add-on payment, Medicaid matching rates, requirements that insurers and health plans cover COVID-19 testing without cost-sharing, and waivers of telehealth restrictions.
As a result of the continued Coronavirus pandemic, HHS has extended their declaration of a public health emergency several times since January. The declaration, which was set to expire on October 23rd has been extended for an additional 90 days.
The public health emergency should not be confused with the Stafford Act national emergency declaration declared by President Trump in March. The national emergency declaration is also still in effect and impacts health plans by extending certain time frames and deadlines for participant actions and relieves some plan administration compliance obligations during the COVID‑19 National Emergency.
Diversified Group will continue to keep you up to date on both declarations as they progress. Please feel free to contact your Diversified Sales Representative with questions at (888) 322-2524.
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