The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, Xavier Becerra, extended the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) for an additional 90 days, effective today, July 15th, 2022, which is the date that the current PHE was set to expire.

The new expiration date for the COVID-19 PHE is now set for Thursday, October 13th, 2022.

A link to the official HHS announcement is available to read here.

This expected renewal of the PHE means that Medicare flexibilities, which have permitted the use of telehealth services, have been extended as well. It is important to keep in mind that this extension DOES NOT change the previously ended waivers. Read our previous newsletter here to learn about the waivers that ended in May and June.