ASCO formerly compiled resources from federal agencies and state health departments for oncology professionals to access rapidly changing information on the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of these resources are listed at the bottom of the page for archival purposes, as they are no longer being updated. However, we have developed new information and resources regarding the end of the federal public health emergency and its impact on patients and providers.
The End of the Public Health Emergency
On January 31, 2020, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Azar declared a public health emergency (PHE) effective January 27, 2020, affording the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) the flexibility to quickly support Medicare beneficiaries. On March 13, 2020, the President declared a national emergency effective March 1, 2020, affording additional flexibilities such as Section 1135 waivers. The PHE was renewed multiple times during the pandemic, but in January, 2023 the Biden Administration announced that the PHE would end on May 11, 2023.
As a condition of receiving enhanced federal funding, states agreed not to terminate enrollment for most individuals enrolled in Medicaid from March 2020 through the end of the month in which the PHE concluded. However, subsequent legislation (the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023) decoupled the PHE and Medicaid continuous enrollment provision and terminates this provision on March 31, 2023. Therefore, as of April 1, 2023, states can resume Medicaid disenrollments. Most individuals will have to go through the Medicaid/CHIP eligibility renewal process for the first time in months or years.
CMS has released a PHE Unwinding toolkit for states and groups that assist people with Medicaid coverage to help beneficiaries through the eligibility renewal process.
For access to additional resources please see CMS’ Medicaid Unwinding webpage.
Prior updates for historical reference purposes are available in the Prior COVID-19 Government, Reimbursement & Regulatory Updates.