News Briefs: Public Health Emergency Gets Another Extension
The Biden administration extended the COVID-19 pandemic public health emergency (PHE) through July 15. The PHE declaration makes possible enhanced Medicaid funding — in exchange for states pausing eligibility redeterminations — and expanded telehealth flexibilities for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. As a condition of receiving enhanced federal funds during the PHE, states are required to ensure continuous Medicaid and CHIP coverage for most enrollees, leading to a nearly 18% jump in Medicaid enrollment. CMS has promised to give states at least 60 days’ notice prior to ending the PHE and 12 months after the month in which the PHE ends to complete eligibility redeterminations. Ultimately, “with the recent rollover of COVID-19 hospitalization activity, we would not be surprised if this is the last extension of the COVID-19-related PHE by the Biden administration,” Citi analyst Jason Cassorla predicted.
