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Biden administration signals likely extension of Public Health Emergency through the end of 2021

Extending the Public Health Emergency will allow the Medicare telehealth waivers to continue throughout the year.

By APA Office of Health Care Financing Date created: February 1, 2021 1 min read 0

Telehealth

Cite this

Office of Health Care Financing Staff. (2021, February 1). Biden administration signals likely extension of Public Health Emergency through the end of 2021. http://www.apaservices.org/practice/clinic/public-health-emergency-extension

Comment:

Biden administration signals likely extension of Public Health Emergency through all of 2021

On January 22, 2021, Health and Human Services (HHS) Acting Secretary Norris Cochran sent a letter to governors announcing that, “the [Public Health Emergency (PHE)] will likely remain in place for the entirety of 2021, and when a decision is made to terminate the declaration or let it expire, HHS will provide states with 60 days’ notice prior to termination.” The acting secretary specifically noted that flexibilities provided by the PHE determination such as those provided for telehealth, “streamline and increase the accessibility of healthcare.”

Read the full letter (PDF, 306KB).

Please note that an extension of the federal PHE would not directly affect the duration of state PHEs, some of which have already expired. See our Telehealth guidance by state during COVID-19 for specific state updates.

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