COVID-19 Public Health Emergency to end May 11
January 31, 2023
On January 30, the Biden Administration announced that the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) will end on May 11.
Why it matters: On March 17, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced a temporary expansion of telehealth coverage for health care services, followed by an interim final rule on March 30, 2020, allowing for flexibilities around physician supervision in the freestanding and hospital outpatient setting. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 extended the telehealth flexibilities of the PHE, including those related to supervision, for 151 days after the end of the PHE. With the announcement that May 11, 2023, will be the end of the PHE, these flexibilities will expire 151 days later, which is October 9, 2023.
ASTRO will continue to monitor the situation and update members regarding any impact this sunset may have on radiation therapy services.