The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a second interim final rule, which established new regulatory waivers and rule changes to increase flexibility for healthcare providers during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.1
Overall, these waivers and rule changes further aim to expand telehealth, make COVID-19 testing more accessible for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, increase hospital capacity, strengthen the healthcare workforce, and lessen administrative burden.
“This interim final rule with comment period (IFC) gives individuals and entities that provide services to Medicare, Medicaid, Basic Health Program, and Exchange beneficiaries needed flexibilities to respond effectively to the serious public health threats posed by the spread of [COVID-19],” the agency wrote. “These changes apply to physicians and other practitioners, hospice…