Current emergencies
Current emergencies
Find information and updates about current non-COVID natural disasters, man-made incidents (including cyber-attacks), and public health emergencies. Or, find more information about ongoing or past emergencies.
2020
Coronavirus Disease 2019
When President Trump declared a national emergency on March 13, 2020, CMS took action nationwide to aggressively respond to COVID-19. See all that we’ve accomplished (PDF) since then in the fight against COVID-19.
- You can read the blanket waivers for COVID-19 in the List of Blanket Waivers (PDF) UPDATED (9/30/20).
Secretary Azar used his authority in the Public Health Service Act to declare a public health emergency (PHE) in the entire United States on January 31, 2020 giving us the flexibility to support our beneficiaries, effective January 27, 2020. The PHE was renewed on April 21, 2020, July 23, 2020, and October 2, 2020, effective October 23, 2020.
Get waiver & flexibility information or COVID-19 vaccine policies & guidance
General information & updates:
- Coronavirus.gov is the source for the latest information about COVID-19 prevention, symptoms, and answers to common questions.
- USA.gov has the latest information about what the U.S. Government is doing in response to COVID-19.
- CDC.gov/coronavirus has the latest public health and safety information from CDC and for the overarching medical and health provider community on COVID-19.
Read our Coronavirus disease 2019 press releases
Telehealth guidance:
- Medicare Telehealth Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) (now included in all-inclusive FAQs) UPDATED (11/12/20)
- HHS telehealth guidance & information
- VIDEO-MLN Medicare Coverage and Payment of Virtual Services UPDATED (5/8/20)
- General Telemedicine Toolkit (PDF) (3/20/20)
- Fact sheet: Medicare Telemedicine Healthcare Provider Fact Sheet (3/17/20)
- Long-Term Care Nursing Homes Telehealth and Telemedicine Toolkit (PDF) (3/27/20)
- End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Provider Telehealth and Telemedicine Toolkit (PDF) (3/20/20)
- State Medicaid & CHIP Telehealth Toolkit (4/23/20)
- Medicaid Telehealth Guidance (3/17/20)
- CMS Coronavirus Partner Virtual Toolkit (3/17/20)
- FAQs on Availability and Usage of Telehealth Services through Private Health Insurance Coverage in Response to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (PDF) (3/26/20)
Clinical & technical guidance:
For all clinicians
- Quality Payment Program—COVID-19 Response (4/30/20)
- CMS letter to Clinicians participating in MIPS (PDF) (4/28/20)
- CMS Dear Clinician Letter (PDF) (4/6/20)
For all health care providers
- Medicare Monoclonal Antibody COVID-19 Infusion Program Instruction (PDF) (11/17/20)
- Our COVID-19 Medicare data snapshot UPDATED (10/7/20)
- Guidance related to the Emergency Preparedness Testing Exercise Requirements- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (9/30/20)
- COVID patient counseling:
- Counseling checklist (PDF) (7/30/20)
- Talking points (PDF) (7/30/20)
- Information for your patients after COVID testing:
- Steps to take after being tested (7/30/20)
- Learn about contact tracing (7/30/20)
- Providing Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Resources During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PDF) (7/1/20)
- Recommendations for Reopening Facilities to Provide Non-Emergent Non-COVID-19 Health Care (PDF) (6/9/20)
- Price Transparency: Requirements for Providers to Make Public Cash Prices for COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing (PDF) (5/12/20)
- CMS Recommendations for Re-opening Facilities to Provide Essential Non-COVID-19 Healthcare (PDF) (4/19/20)
- CMS Non-Emergent, Elective Medical Services, and Treatment Recommendations (PDF) (4/6/20)
- CMS Adult Elective Surgery and Procedures Recommendations (PDF) (3/19/20)
- Fact sheet: Additional Background: Sweeping Regulatory Changes to Help U.S. Healthcare System Address COVID-19 Patient Surge (3/30/20)
- Guidance memo - Exceptions and Extensions for Quality Reporting and Value-based Purchasing Programs (PDF) (3/27/20)
For health care facilities
- Podcast: Nursing Home Series for Front Line Clinicians and Staff (11/19/20)
- How facilities can safely recognize holidays (PDF) (11/18/20)
- Toolkit for States to Mitigate COVID-19 in Nursing Homes (PDF) UPDATED (11/18/20)
- Nursing Home Facilities Training 50% Achievement List (PDF) (11/17/20)
- Enforcement Discretion Relating to Certain Pharmacy Billing (PDF) (10/16/20)
- Fact sheet: Expansion of the Accelerated and Advance Payments Program for Providers and Suppliers During COVID-19 Emergency (PDF) UPDATED (10/8/20)
- Accelerated and Advance Payments Program FAQ (PDF) (10/8/20)
- COVID-19 Data Element Reporting Requirements and Enforcement Process for Hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals Interim Final Rule (IFC), CMS-3401-IFC (10/6/20)
- Dear Nursing Home Resident Voting Rights Letter (PDF) UPDATED (10/20/20)
- Compliance with Residents’ Rights Requirement related to Nursing Home Residents’ Right to Vote (10/5/20)
- FAQs About Visitation Considerations for Nursing Home Residents (PDF) UPDATED (10/5/20)
- Medicare Payments for COVID-19 Viral Testing in Skilled Nursing Facilities/Nursing Facilities (PDF) (9/18/20)
- Nursing Home Visitation - COVID-19 (9/17/20)
- Trump Administration Response to Commission Recommendations (PDF) (9/16/20)
- Final Report: Coronavirus Commission on Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes (PDF) (9/16/20)
- Guidance and Updates for Nursing Homes during COVID-19 (PDF) (9/16/20)
- New COVID 19 Testing and Reporting Requirements (PDF) (9/8/20)
- Point of Care Antigen Testing FAQ (8/31/20)
- CLIA and University Laboratory Testing FAQ (8/31/20)
- Interim Final Rule (IFC), CMS-3401-IFC, Additional Policy and Regulatory Revisions in Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency related to Long-Term Care (LTC) Facility Testing Requirements and Revised COVID-19 Focused Survey Tool (8/26/20)
- Interim Final Rule (IFC), CMS-3401-IFC, Updating Requirements for Reporting of SARS-CoV-2 Test Results by (CLIA) of 1988 Laboratories, and Additional Policy and Regulatory Revisions in Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (8/26/20)
- Key Components for Continued COVID 19 Management for Dialysis Facilities (8/17/20)
- FAQs About COVID Testing in Skilled Nursing Facilities (PDF) (8/5/20)
- QIP ESRD FAQs (PDF) UPDATED (7/14/20)
- VIDEO-Five Things About Nursing Homes During COVID-19: learn about the 5 things we're doing to stop the spread of Coronavirus in nursing homes (7/9/20)
- Phase II Hospital Visitation for Patients who are Covid-19 Negative (PDF) (6/26/20)
- Memo to States and Nursing Home Stakeholders About Changes to Staffing Information and Quality Measures (6/25/20)
- FAQs for Non Long-Term Care Facilities and Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (PDF)(6/10/20)
- COVID Nursing Home Compare Data (6/4/20)
- Nursing Home Data Release FAQs (PDF) (6/4/20)
- Infographic: Nursing Home Reporting Numbers for 5/31/20 (PDF) (6/4/20)
- Posting Nursing Home Inspections (6/4/20)
- Releasing COVID Nursing Home Data (6/4/20)
- COVID-19 Survey Activities, CARES Act Funding, Enhanced Enforcement for Infection Control Deficiencies, and Quality Improvement Activities in Nursing Homes (6/1/20)
- Fact sheet for State and Local Governments About CMS Programs and Payment for Hospital Alternate Care Sites (PDF) (5/26/20)
- Nursing Home Reopening Recommendation FAQs (PDF) (5/18/20)
- CMS letter to Nursing Home Facility Management & Staff (PDF) (5/11/20)
- Guidance on Notification Requirements of Confirmed and Suspected COVID-19 Cases Among Nursing Home Residents and Staff (5/6/20)
- Nursing Home Five-Star Quality Rating Updates, Nursing Home Staff Counts, and Frequently Asked Questions (4/24/20)
- Guidance for Licensed Independent Freestanding Emergency Departments (EDs) to Participate in Medicare and Medicaid during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (4/21/20)
- New Nursing Home Requirements for Notification of Confirmed COVID-19 Among Residents and Staff (PDF) (4/19/20)
- 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Long-Term Care Facility Transfer Scenarios (PDF) (4/13/20)
- Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Hospitals, Psychiatric Hospitals, and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs): FAQs, Considerations for Patient Triage, Placement, Limits to Visitation and Availability of 1135 waivers (4/8/20)
- Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Outpatient Settings: FAQs and Considerations (4/8/20)
- Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IIDs) and Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities (PRTFs) (4/8/20)
- Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) Requirements and Implications Related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and FAQs UPDATED (4/28/20)
- Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention Concerning Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Dialysis Facilities UPDATED (4/8/20)
- COVID-19 Long-Term Care Facility Guidance (PDF) (4/3/20)
- Letter requesting hospitals report data in connection with their efforts to fight the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) (PDF) (3/30/20)
- Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Nursing Homes-REVISED (PDF) (3/13/20)
- Guidance for Use of Certain Industrial Respirators by Health Care Personnel (3/10/20)
- Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention Concerning Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Home Health Agencies (3/10/20)
- Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention Concerning Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) by Hospice Agencies (3/9/20)
- Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention Concerning Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): FAQs and Considerations for Patient Triage, Placement and Hospital Discharge (3/4/20)
- Information for Healthcare Facilities Concerning 2019 Novel Coronavirus Illness (2019-nCoV) (2/6/20)
For labs
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), CLIA Guidance During the COVID-19 Emergency (PDF) UPDATED (11/10/20)
- Laboratory Quick Start Guide to CMS CLIA Certification (PDF) (9/25/20)
- More information about CLIA & CLIA Certification Fee secure platform link (9/25/20)
- Point of Care Antigen Testing FAQ (8/31/20)
- CLIA and University Laboratory Testing FAQ (8/31/20)
- Interim Final Rule (IFC), CMS-3401-IFC, Updating Requirements for Reporting of SARS-CoV-2 Test Results by (CLIA) of 1988 Laboratories, and Additional Policy and Regulatory Revisions in Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (8/26/20)
- Frequently Asked Questions About SARS-CoV-2 Surveillance Testing (PDF) (6/19/20)
- HHS Announces New Laboratory Data Reporting Guidance for COVID-19 Testing (6/5/20)
- SARS-CoV-2 Laboratory Testing Comparison Graphic (PDF) (4/30/20)
- Announcement: Medicare increases payment for high-production Coronavirus lab tests (PDF) (4/15/20)
- Notification to Surveyors of the Authorization for Emergency Use of the CDC 2019-Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel Assay and Guidance for Authorized Laboratories (2/6/20)
For Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) Organizations
- Frequently Asked Questions from the PACE Community (PDF) (4/23/20)
- Guidance for PACE Organizations Regarding Infection Control and Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (PDF) (3/17/20)
Billing & coding guidance:
- Medicare Monoclonal Antibody COVID-19 Infusion Program Instruction (PDF) (11/17/20)
- Frequently Asked Questions to Assist Medicare Providers (PDF) UPDATED (11/12/20)
- Medicare Telehealth Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) (now included in all-inclusive FAQs) UPDATED (11/12/20)
- Fact sheet: Expansion of the Accelerated and Advance Payments Program for Providers and Suppliers During COVID-19 Emergency (PDF) UPDATED (10/8/20)
- Accelerated and Advance Payments Program FAQ (PDF) (10/8/20)
- COVID patient counseling:
- Provider Q&A (PDF) UPDATED (10/28/20)
- Counseling checklist (PDF) (7/30/20)
- Talking points (PDF) (7/30/20)
- Fact sheet for State and Local Governments About CMS Programs and Payment for Hospital Alternate Care Sites (PDF) (5/26/20)
- CMS Dear Clinician Letter (PDF) (4/6/20)
- Fact sheet: Medicare Coverage and Payment Related to COVID-19 (PDF) UPDATED (3/23/20)
- Fact sheet: Medicare Telemedicine Healthcare Provider Fact Sheet (3/17/20)
- MLN Matters article: Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) Response to the Public Health Emergency on the Coronavirus (PDF) (3/17/20)
- Frequently Asked Questions about Medicare Fee-for-Service Emergency-Related Policies and Procedures With an 1135 Waiver (PDF) (3/16/20)
- Fact sheet: Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) COVID-19 Test Pricing (PDF) (3/13/20)
- Fact sheet: Medicaid and CHIP Coverage and Payment Related to COVID-19 (PDF) (3/5/20)
- COVID-19: New ICD-10-CM Code and Interim Coding Guidance (2/20/20)
Survey & certification guidance:
- Toolkit for States to Mitigate COVID-19 in Nursing Homes (PDF) UPDATED (11/18/20)
- Guidance related to the Emergency Preparedness Testing Exercise Requirements- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (9/30/20)
- Nursing Home Visitation - COVID-19 (9/17/20)
- Key Components for Continued COVID 19 Management for Dialysis Facilities (8/17/20)
- Memo to States and Nursing Home Stakeholders About Changes to Staffing Information and Quality Measures (6/25/20)
- Posting Nursing Home Inspections (6/4/20)
- Releasing COVID Nursing Home Data (6/4/20)
- COVID-19 Survey Activities, CARES Act Funding, Enhanced Enforcement for Infection Control Deficiencies, and Quality Improvement Activities in Nursing Homes (6/1/20)
- CARES Act Financial Guidance to State Survey Agencies (PDF) (4/30/20)
- Coronavirus Commission for Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes (PDF) (4/30/20)
- Nursing Home Five-Star Quality Rating Updates, Nursing Home Staff Counts, and Frequently Asked Questions (4/24/20)
- Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) Laboratory Guidance During COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (3/27/20)
- Prioritization of Survey Activities (3/23/20)
- Frequently Asked Questions for State Survey Agency and Accrediting Organization Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (PDF) (3/10/20)
- Frequently Asked Questions and Answers on EMTALA (PDF) (3/9/20)
- Suspension of Survey Activities (3/4/20)
Coverage guidance:
- Medicare Monoclonal Antibody COVID-19 Infusion Program Instruction (PDF) (11/17/20)
- Frequently Asked Questions to Assist Medicare Providers (PDF) UPDATED (11/12/20)
- Medicare Telehealth Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) (now included in all-inclusive FAQs) UPDATED (11/12/20)
- VIDEO-MLN Medicare Coverage and Payment of Virtual Services UPDATED (5/8/20)
- CMS Dear Clinician Letter (PDF) (4/6/20)
- Long-Term Care Nursing Homes Telehealth and Telemedicine Toolkit (PDF) (3/27/20)
- Fact sheet: Medicare Coverage and Payment Related to COVID-19 (PDF) UPDATED (3/23/20)
- General Telemedicine Toolkit (PDF) (3/20/20)
- End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Provider Telehealth and Telemedicine Toolkit (PDF) (3/20/20)
- FAQs on Catastrophic Plan Coverage and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (PDF) (3/19/20)
- Fact sheet: Medicare Telemedicine Healthcare Provider Fact Sheet (3/17/20)
- FAQs on Essential Health Benefit Coverage and the Coronavirus (COVID-19) (PDF) (3/13/20)
- Guidance to help Medicare Advantage and Part D Plans Respond to COVID-19 (PDF) (3/10/20)
- Fact sheet: Medicaid and CHIP Coverage and Payment Related to COVID-19 (PDF) (3/5/20)
- Fact sheet: Individual and Small Group Market Insurance Coverage (PDF) (3/5/20)
Provider enrollment guidance:
- Medicare Provider Enrollment Relief Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (PDF) (PDF) UPDATED (7/22/20)
- Guidance for Processing Attestations from Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) Temporarily Enrolling as Hospitals During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (4/3/20)
Medicaid & CHIP guidance:
- State Medicaid Director Letter on CY 2021 Jan-Sep Claw Back Phased-Down State Contribution Amounts (PDF) (10/9/20)
- State Medicaid Director Letter on CY 2020 Oct-Dec Claw Back Phased-Down State Contribution Amounts (PDF) (9/22/20)
- Informational Bulletin on Medicaid Reimbursement Strategies to Prevent Spread of COVID-19 in Nursing Facilities (8/24/20)
- COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions for State Medicaid and CHIP Agencies UPDATED (6/30/20)
- State Medicaid Director Letter on CY 2020 Jan-Sep Claw Back Phased-Down State Contribution Amounts (PDF) (6/23/20)
- Fact sheet for State and Local Governments About CMS Programs and Payment for Hospital Alternate Care Sites (PDF) (5/26/20)
- State Medicaid & CHIP Telehealth Toolkit (4/23/20)
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), Public Law No. 116-127 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law No. 116-136 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (4/15/20)
- Federal Medical Percentage Map (FMAP) & Families First Coronavirus Response Act – Increased FMAP FAQs (3/27/20)
- State Medicaid Director Letter (SMDL) #20-002 with New Section 1115 Demonstration Opportunity to Aid States With Addressing the Public Health Emergency (3/22/20)
- Section 1135 Waiver Checklist (3/22/20)
- Section 1915 Waiver, Appendix K Template (3/22/20)
- State Plan Flexibilities (3/22/20)
- COVID-19 Disaster Response Toolkit (3/12/20)
- Medicaid Telehealth Guidance (3/17/20)
Marketplace plan guidance:
- Technical Fact Sheet: CCIIO Premium Reductions: Medicare and Medicaid Programs, Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), and Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Additional Policy and Regulatory Revisions in Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PDF) (8/25/20)
- Temporary Policy on 2020 Premium Credits Associated with the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PDF) (8/4/20)
- Risk Adjustment Telehealth and Telephone Services During COVID-19 FAQs (PDF) (8/3/20-Replaces April 27th, 2020 guidance)
- Leveraging Existing Health and Disease Management Programs to Provide Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Resources During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) (PDF) (6/29/20)
- FAQs About Families First Coronavirus Response Act & Coronavirus Aid, Relief, & Economic Security Act Implementation Part 43 (6/23/20)
- Payment and Grace Period Flexibilities Associated with the COVID-19 National Emergency (PDF) (3/26/20)
- FAQs on Availability and Usage of Telehealth Services through Private Health Insurance Coverage in Response to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (PDF) (3/26/20)
- FAQs on Prescription Drugs and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) for Issuers Offering Health Insurance Coverage in the Individual and Small Group Markets (PDF) (3/26/20)
Medicare Advantage plan guidance:
- Postponement of 2019 Benefit Year HHS-operated Risk Adjustment Data Validation (HHS-RADV) (PDF) (4/15/20)
Open Payments guidance:
Partner & stakeholder resources:
- Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payments Program COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Payment Data (PDF) (11/23/20)
- Medicare COVID Accelerated & Advanced Payment Data (ZIP) (10/15/20)
- Open Door Forum Stakeholder Call podcasts & transcripts
- HHS telehealth guidance & information
- Memo to States and Nursing Home Stakeholders About Changes to Staffing Information and Quality Measures (6/25/20)
- What Patients Should Know About Seeking Health Care in English (PDF) & Spanish (PDF) (6/9/20)
- COVID Nursing Home Compare Data (6/4/20)
- CMS Coronavirus Partner Virtual Toolkit (3/17/20)
- Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payments by State and Provider Type (PDF) UPDATED (5/8/20)
Find more information on ongoing or past emergencies.
Consumer information:
- For people with Medicare
- For people with Marketplace coverage
Follow us:
- Twitter: @CMSGov @MedicareGov @Medicaid.gov
- Facebook: Facebook.com/Medicare
Page Last Modified:
11/23/2020 02:13 PM