The Road Out of the Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic brought about wide scale social, political, economic and legal disruption. While COVID continues to be a public health concern, many of the extraordinary legal developments brought on by the public health emergency (PHE) declaration are winding down. Although the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) had planned to end the PHE on May 11, 2023, the President signed the joint Congressional resolution ending the PHE on April 10, 2023.
HHS published a COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Transition Roadmap, summarizing what will and won’t change when the PHE expires.
What won’t change:
- Access to COVID-19 vaccinations and certain COVID treatments
- Emergency Use Authorizations for COVID-19 tests, vaccines and treatments
- Most Medicare and Medicaid telehealth flexibilities
- Expanded access to buprenorphine and methadone for opioid use disorder treatment
What will be affected:
- Medicare and Medicaid waivers and flexibilities for health care providers
- Coverage for COVID-19 testing
- Reporting of COVID testing and immunization data
- Certain Food and Drug Administration guidance on clinical practice and supply chains
- Liability protections
- Dispensing controlled substances via telemedicine.
In Illinois, many of the COVID-19 special measures have already expired. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) issued temporary practice permits up until March 31, 2023, but applications for temporary permits are no longer being accepted and those that were issued will expire on May 11, 2023. Physicians and other licensed health care professionals who obtained temporary practice permits will need to obtain a full Illinois license in order to continue practicing after that date. Information on licensure can be obtained on the IDFPR website at https://idfpr.illinois.gov/dpr.html.
Health care facilities in Illinois, including but not limited to hospitals, nursing home, ambulatory surgery centers and laboratories, are licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health. Information on licensure can be obtained at https://dph.illinois.gov/resource-center/licensing-certification.html.
For further information contact us.