The Biden Administration is ending the COVID-19-era Public Health Emergency on May 11 after almost three years. Here are eight changes health leaders and providers can expect following its termination:
1. Uninsured individuals may no longer have access to free COVID-19 vaccines, although the Biden administration is said to be working on a plan to offer free vaccines to the uninsured through next summer.
2. Insurers will no longer be required to provide access to free COVID-19 tests.
3. Medicaid will only reimburse COVID-19 treatments approved by the FDA.
4. A large portion of Medicare coverage of telehealth will remain the same through 2024 due to legislation passed late last year Medicaid coverage depends on the state, but most have extended telehealth flexibilities.
5. The 20 percent increase in Medicare reimbursements to hospitals will end, which could in turn inflate patient care costs.
6. Providers could face higher penalties for accidental HIPAA violations that occur due to telehealth care.
7. Providers will be more restricted on treating patients in other states via telehealth.
8. Reimbursement rates will change for telehealth visits, depending on the insurance provider.