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After midnight: The COVID-19 PHE ends, but several waivers will remain

The COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) will end tonight at 11:59 p.m. But 14 waivers that impact medical practices and their patients will remain in effect when the clock strikes midnight on May 12.
 
The following chart contains expiration dates for key PHE waivers, including last-minute extensions for controlled substance prescriptions via telehealth and the addition of telephone visit codes 98966-98968 to the list of covered telehealth services.
 
Part B News subscribers can enter "PHE" in the website's search bar and access dozens of articles that explain the transition.
 
PHE waiver/flexibility
Expires
Agency
99211 for COVID specimen collection for new patients1
May 11, 2023
CMS
Anti-kickback statute waivers for COVID-19 purposes2
May 11, 2023
OIG
Blanket co-pay waivers/reductions for telehealth2
May 11, 2023
OIG
Certified registered nurse anesthetist supervision1
May 11, 2023
CMS
Expedited enrollment1
May 11, 2023
CMS
Face-to-face visits for ESRD patients1
May 11, 2023
CMS
Face to face visits required by NCD/LCD1
May 11, 2023
CMS
Remote physiologic monitoring for new patients1
May 11, 2023
CMS
Stark self-referral enforcement waivers4
May 11, 2023
CMS
Two-day data minimum for 99453 and 994541
May 11, 2023
CMS
Virtual check ins for new patients (G codes)1
May 11, 2023
CMS
Visit frequency limit1
May 11, 2023
CMS
 
Locum tenens extension1
July 10, 2023
CMS
 
HIPAA enforcement discretion3
Aug. 9, 2023
OCR
 
Controlled Rx via telemedicine without a face-to-face encounter5
Nov. 11, 2023/
Nov. 11, 2024*
DEA
Induction of buprenorphine via telemedicine5
Nov. 11, 2023/
Nov. 11, 2024*
DEA/
SAMHSA
 
Audio-only assessments for opioid treatment programs1
Dec. 31, 2023
CMS
Direct supervision via audio/video connection1
Dec. 31, 2023
CMS
Payment for in-home COVID-19 vaccination1
Dec. 31, 2023
CMS
Telehealth from provider’s home without enrollment update1
Dec. 31, 2023
CMS
 
Take-home methadone6
May 11, 2024
SAMHSA
 
Audio-only exception for certain telehealth services1
Dec. 31, 2024
CMS
No geographic restrictions for telehealth services1
Dec. 31, 2024
CMS
Patients can receive telehealth at home1
Dec. 31, 2024
CMS
Telehealth by providers who can bill for their services1
Dec. 31, 2024
CMS
Telephone visits (99441-99443 and 98966-98968)1
Dec. 31, 2024
CMS
 
 
 
Blog Tags: COVID-19, telehealth
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