General Surgery Coding Alert
Update PHE Deadline
Question: What is the current status of the PHE for COVID-19, and when can we expect it to end? Arkansas Subscriber Answer: The COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) remains in full force, and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently opted to extend it further. Effective July 20, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra renewed the PHE again. This renewal will last 90 days — but HHS has previously indicated it will keep the PHE going at least through the end of this year. This is the sixth time that HHS has extended the PHE; former HHS Secretary Alex Azar originally declared the PHE on Jan. 31, 2020, and renewed it on April 21, 2020, July 23, 2020, Oct.2, 2020, and Jan. 7, 2021. Most recently, Becerra renewed the PHE on April 15, notes PHE guidance. You can review the extension details at www.phe.gov/emergency/news/healthactions/phe/Pages/COVID-19July2021.aspx.
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