CMS Updates Status of Some PHE Waivers

WASHINGTON—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued additional provider-specific guidance for the winding down of the COVID-19 public health emergency, which is set to end May 11.

CMS updated fact sheets for each provider type listing updates and previous changes to the status of a range of rules and waivers.

“CMS is committed to updating supporting resources and providing updates as soon as possible,” the agency said on its website. “Please continue to use the provider-specific fact sheets for information about COVID-19 Publich Health Emergency waivers and flexibilities.”

The details on durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) can be found here. Some highlights include:

• CMS will close provider and supplier hotlines for those with temporary Medicare billing privileges in isolation facilities at the end of the PHE.
• Expedited enrollment for applications will end with the PHE. 
• The ability to cancel opt-out status early and enroll in Medicare will end.
• Practitioners conducting telehealth visits from home will be required to report their home address on their Medicare enrollment. 
• CMS said it would continue to allow licensed physicians and other practitioners to bill Medicare for services provided outside their enrollment state.

The details on home health agencies (HHAs) are here. Some highlights include:

• Telehealth can still be conducted—with video and audio-only—if it’s in the plan of care, but only in-person visits can be reimbursed.
• The required face-to-face encounter can be conducted by two-way audio-video technology when the PHE ends, but the waiver will expire on the 152^nd day after the end of the PHE.
• Patients can be considered “homebound” if their doctor advises then not to leave because they have, may have or could get COVID-19, irrespective of the PHE.
• A waiver of requirements to include detailed information about discharge planning will end with the PHE.
• Some waivers on training and assessing home health aides will end with the PHE. Postponed onsite assessments for hospice and home health aides must be completed no later than 60 days after the end of the PHE.

The details on hospice can be found here.