The Biden-Harris Administration has extended the COVID-19 public health emergency to January 11th, 2023. This concern has adapted from the speculation of a winter spike in COVID-19 cases. The COVID-19 public health emergency first made its appearance in January 2020 by the Trump administration and has been renewed every 90 days since.
Recall: The Purpose Of The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
The declaration allowed changes throughout the healthcare system which included the free distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. Millions of Americans gained Medicaid coverage, telehealth services were authorized, and hospitals gained flexibility in responding to patient surges.
In addition, it provided the federal government with the flexibility to waive or modify specific requirements in a number of areas such as Medicare, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Medicaid, and private health insurance. Alongside these, Congress also enacted the following legislation:
What Next?
When the COVID-19 public health emergency ends, an estimated 5.3 million to 14.2 million individuals could lose their Medicaid coverage. The loss of Medicaid coverage has been named, “the great unwinding,” and could take as long as a year to complete.
It’s vital for small business owners to provide their employees with the health insurance coverage they need. What happens when the public health emergency ends and you have employees who were enrolled in Medicare during that health emergency period? GMS does more than simply offer coverage like a medical insurance company. We provide our clients with various tools and resources to find a coverage solution tailored to their needs. Contact us today!