COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Health Care Providers Fact Sheet

On March 13, 2020, in response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) public health emergency, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued blanket waivers in attempt to slow the spread of the disease. When the President declares an emergency through the Stafford Act or National Emergency Act, and the Secretary declares a Public Health Emergency, the Secretary is authorized to waive certain Medicare, Medicaid, and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) authorities under Section 1135 of the Social Security Act. States may request blanket waivers for skilled nursing facilities, critical access hospitals; housing acute care consumers in excluded . . .