The Secretary of Health and Human Services officially renewed the status of the Public Health Emergency
On October 2, 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services released a declaration of renewal of the National Public Health Emergency which will be in effect for another 90 days, starting October 23rd. This declaration renews for the 3rd time, those changes that have been made as a result of the initial declaration in January 2020.
This declaration was released from Secretary Alex Azar:
Some of the rule changes that skilled nursing facilities have been utilizing for the past few months include those created by the 1135 Waiver and other rule making, such as:
- Medicare Part A 3 Night Inpatient Stay Waiver
- Medicare Part A 60 Day Benefit Period Waiver
- MDS Submission Deadline Relaxation
- Telehealth for Medicare Part A (though not billed as true telehealth)
- Telehealth for Medicare Part B
- Skilled Maintenance Therapy Provided by PTA’s and C/OTA’s for Part B
This CMS document – SE20011 – explains all the SNF changes and will be updated by CMS as needed.
We can expect additional CMS direction on the status of the PHE in January 2021, when it will either be renewed or expire.
For continued updates on COVID-19 changes impacting SNF therapy, visit our COVID-19 SNF Resource Page.
As always, if you have any questions, please send them to our Just Ask Q&A Forum and we will be glad to help you.
In Your Corner,
Dolores
Dolores Montero, PT, DPT, RAC-CT, RAC-CTA
SNF Rehab & MDS Compliance Team