CMS Clarifies in Writing that the End of the National Emergency and the Public Health Emergency are Two Different Things. Some Flexibilities Continue Through May 11th 

On March 31^st, CMS published an explanation of the “Potential Impact of House Joint Resolution 7,” to answer questions related to the difference between this resolution to end the National Emergency differs from the upcoming May 11^th end of the Public Health Emergency. LeadingAge members have asked whether existing waivers under the PHE will end early, or end May 11^th as planned.  As the CMS document explains, “Even if the COVID-19 National Emergency were to end, any existing waivers currently in effect and authorized under the 1135 waiver authorization for the pandemic would remain in place until the end of the federal PHE for COVID-19.” Simply put, the waivers will end but the date to end them does not change.