CMS’ COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Response and Use of Section 1135 Waivers and other Flexibilities
CMS published a report highlighting the agency’s Fiscal Year 2023 COVID-19 Public Health Emergency response and use of section 1135 waivers and other flexibilities. CMS uses emergency section 1135 waivers to ensure program participants have access to services during a national emergency and that providers have the flexibility to provide and be paid for services. The report focuses on six key areas, including vaccines and therapeutics, testing, telehealth, emergency reporting, surge capacity, and long-term care facilities. The report summarizes CMS’ policy response and synthesizes external feedback gathered from a variety of sources. It also includes discussions and recommendations on several cross-cutting issues, such as workforce capacity, healthcare disparities, quality improvement and patient safety, and process improvements in the execution of section 1135 waivers and flexibilities.