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.
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PHE waiver/flexibility
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Expires
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Agency
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99211 for COVID specimen collection for new patients1
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May 11, 2023
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CMS
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Anti-kickback statute waivers for COVID-19 purposes2
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May 11, 2023
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OIG
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Blanket co-pay waivers/reductions for telehealth2
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May 11, 2023
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OIG
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Certified registered nurse anesthetist supervision1
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May 11, 2023
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CMS
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Expedited enrollment1
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May 11, 2023
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CMS
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Face-to-face visits for ESRD patients1
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May 11, 2023
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CMS
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Face to face visits required by NCD/LCD1
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May 11, 2023
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CMS
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Remote physiologic monitoring for new patients1
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May 11, 2023
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CMS
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Stark self-referral enforcement waivers4
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May 11, 2023
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CMS
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Two-day data minimum for 99453 and 994541
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May 11, 2023
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CMS
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Virtual check ins for new patients (G codes)1
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May 11, 2023
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CMS
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Visit frequency limit1
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May 11, 2023
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CMS
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Locum tenens extension1
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July 10, 2023
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CMS
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HIPAA enforcement discretion3
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Aug. 9, 2023
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OCR
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Controlled Rx via telemedicine without a face-to-face encounter5
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Nov. 11, 2023/
Nov. 11, 2024*
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DEA
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Induction of buprenorphine via telemedicine5
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Nov. 11, 2023/
Nov. 11, 2024*
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DEA/
SAMHSA
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Audio-only assessments for opioid treatment programs1
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Dec. 31, 2023
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CMS
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Direct supervision via audio/video connection1
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Dec. 31, 2023
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CMS
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Payment for in-home COVID-19 vaccination1
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Dec. 31, 2023
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CMS
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Telehealth from provider’s home without enrollment update1
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Dec. 31, 2023
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CMS
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Take-home methadone6
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May 11, 2024
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SAMHSA
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Audio-only exception for certain telehealth services1
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Dec. 31, 2024
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CMS
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No geographic restrictions for telehealth services1
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Dec. 31, 2024
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CMS
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Patients can receive telehealth at home1
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Dec. 31, 2024
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CMS
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Telehealth by providers who can bill for their services1
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Dec. 31, 2024
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CMS
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Telephone visits (99441-99443 and 98966-98968)1
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Dec. 31, 2024
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CMS
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*The Nov. 11, 2024, expiration date will apply to any telehealth relationship that begins by Nov. 11, 2023.
Sources:
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