CMS Announces Ending of COVID Staff Vaccine Requirement, Other Protocols (SNF/AL)

Good News: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a new regulatory memo QSO-23-13-ALL​ entitled “Guidance for Expiration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) on May 11, 2023.” The memo outlines each waiver CMS put into place during COVID-19 and how the end of the PHE will affect those waivers. Additionally, the memo outlined timelines for certain regulatory requirements issued through the PHE. This memo applies to long-term care (LTC), intermediate care facilities (ICF), and other provider types.

Related to the interim final rule issued November 5, 2021, CMS will soon end the interim final rule requiring all healthcare staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. CMS will provide more information on this at the anticipated end of the PHE. CMS does continue to urge everyone to stay up to date on their COVID-19 vaccine. The required weekly updates of COVID numbers to residents, staff, families and representatives are also ending and left to the discretion of the individual provider. 

The guidance today also affects reporting to residents, representatives and families on COVID-19 along with several other requirements and waivers. Read the full guidance here.