Source: AAHomecare Insider 5/25/2022
On May 10, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to providing at least 60 days’ advance notice before ending the ongoing COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). See Secretary Becerra’s letter to U.S. governors here.
Practically speaking, the letter means the current PHE, previously extended to July 16, 2022, will remain in effect beyond that date, as the 60-day advance notice deadline for ending the emergency passed on May 16. HHS has previously extended the PHE deadline in 90-day intervals from the date of the established deadlines. If that practice is continued this time around, the PHE would next be extended until mid-October of this year.
As long as the PHE continues, the 75/25 blended rate in non-rural/non-CB areas will remain in effect, along with other policies tied to the status of the PHE, including:
TRICARE reimbursement increases tied to the Medicare rate relief.