HHS is expected to renew the public health emergency in October.

September 07, 2022

Although the Covid-19 public health emergency declaration expires at the end of October, US Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra is expected to grant another extension. HHS has previously indicated that when a decision is made to terminate or expire a declaration, the agency will provide 60 days’ notice prior to the termination.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, at the urging of the California Medical Association (CMA), both public and private health plans expanded their coverage and payment for services provided through telehealth. All of these policies will remain in place as long as the country remains in a public health emergency.

Congress also recently extended the current COVID-19 pandemic telehealth waivers for five months after the public health emergency ends.

Policymakers at the state and federal levels are making decisions that will shape the future of telehealth for years to come. CMA published a Telehealth Policy Update It summarizes what has already been done and provides some next steps that physicians can look to in 2022.

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