Public Health Emergency Extended

On April 15, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra extended the Public Health Emergency (PHE) declaration related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which was set to expire. It will now expire 90 days from April 15. 
 
Earlier this year, in a letter to state governors, the Biden Administration announced that it is likely to continue the COVID-19 PHE through the end of 2021. In the letter, the Administration states that this announcement provides states with critical predictability and stability to continue leveraging flexibilities tied to the PHE.
 
The extension of the PHE means that providers will continue to be able to leverage the COVID-19 waivers and regulatory flexibilities released by the Department of Health and Human Services, including those pertaining to telemedicine.  ASA is continuing to work to reverse the CMS waiver of the Medicare Anesthesia Services physician supervision requirement, which is extended by this action.