In January, Acting Secretary of Health & Human Services (HHS) Norris Cochran stated that the department would provide 60-days notice prior to the termination of the Public Health Emergency (PHE) declaration for COVID 19. The most recent 90-day extension of the PHE was last given on April 12. This means that a notice of termination would have to have been provided on May 16 for it to expire. Since notice was not provided, it can be assumed that the PHE will be extended for another 90 days beyond July 15, 2022 to October 13, 2022.
This is significant to cardiopulmonary rehab, in that PHE allows for the virtual delivery of CR/ICR/PR sessions, so timing may be optimal to add a virtual component to your rehab program. A new extension could potentially allow billing of real-time synchronous sessions into the fall and maybe even into 2023.
Virtual direct supervision, however, is in place until at least December 31, 2022. AACVPR, along with other related organizations, continue to encourage CMS to make virtual direct supervision permanent.
As news of the PHE updates are announced, we will continue to keep you informed.
There still remain a large population of patients that do not receive rehab due to a variety of circumstances. Having the tools to reach them where they are is just another way we can help them achieve better health and wellness. If you are interested in ways to add a virtual component to your cardiopulmonary rehab program, reach out to us by emailing barbra@chanlhealth.com