CMS Mandatory Vaccines

Vaccines are becoming more popular, but what happens when they are mandatory for health insurance coverage?

One of the most authoritative tools currently with the Biden Administration is its – Conditions for Coverage (Conditions of Participation) – in order to receive any kind of funding or participation in the Medicare/Medicaid programs. Under another law – Social Security Act #1861 – the US Department of Health & Human Services has the authority to implement and put into effect the – “necessary in the interest of the health and safety of the individuals who are furnished services in hospitals,” making healthcare providers to meet those same standards. To further this, the Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services (CMS) agency may waive any of their notices where it is deemed “good cause.” CMS has already waived notices since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Now, CMS should update these current changes to reflect that the health care workers, LTC staff members, and contractors, etc are now vaccinated against COVID especially since the newest release of the delta variant. Providers would have 8 weeks to meet compliance (all staff vaccinated) since the effective date.