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July 09, 2020

HHS Expected to Renew Public Health Emergency Declaration

On June 29, Michael R. Caputo, HHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, tweeted that HHS “expects to renew” the COVID-19 public health emergency. As of July 8, HHS has not yet released a formal declaration extending the public health emergency. HHS has instituted multiple programs and loosened regulations that have provided a substantial benefit to providers in conjunction with the emergency declaration, including a 20% Medicare add-on payment for inpatient COVID-19 cases, a boost of up to 6.2% in Medicaid matching funds from the federal government, a requirement that insurers cover COVID-19 testing without cost-sharing, and waivers of telehealth restrictions. Unless extended by HHS, the current emergency declaration is set to expire on July 27.