On September 6, 2022, the Facilities for Medicare & Medicaid Companies (CMS) launched a Request for Data (RFI) in search of public enter to evaluate the affect of the waivers and flexibilities offered in response to the COVID-19 Public Well being Emergency. 

The RFI is targeted on the disparities in well being and well being care all through the US, in an effort to enhance well being outcomes, significantly as COVID-19 waivers have, or will, expire. The RFI addresses a number of matters, together with the challenges of accessing well being care, advancing well being fairness, and supplier wellbeing.  Of most curiosity to supplier stakeholders, nonetheless, could also be CMS’s request for suggestions associated to the affect of its COVID-19 waivers, resembling eligibility and enrollment flexibilities.  For instance, suppliers might want to touch upon which of the waivers ought to grow to be everlasting, resembling telehealth waivers, or the affect of PHE waivers and preparation for future well being emergencies. 

CMS encourages feedback from any stakeholder (e.g., suppliers, clinicians, sufferers and shopper advocates). The RFI is open by means of November 4, 2022, and could also be accessed right here. If you’re an celebration and want to submit a remark to CMS for consideration, Thompson Coburn’s Well being Care group is skilled and capable of help. 

Jennifer Pike and Catherine Feorene are members of Thompson Coburn’s Well being Legislation Observe Group.