AHPA continues to follow new COVID-19 regulations, guidance and other government actions. The updates below are the latest guidance and other developments since July 30, 2021, to help mitigate the impacts of COVID-19.

CMS Expands Medicare Payments for At-Home COVID-19 Vaccinations
CMS is expanding opportunities for people to receive COVID-19 vaccinations in their homes. Health care providers can now receive additional payments for administering vaccines to multiple residents in one home setting or communal settings.

HRSA Releases New Fact Sheet on Provider Relief Fund
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has released a fact sheet outlining specific acceptable personnel-related costs that can be covered by Provider Relief Fund dollars, such as child care assistance and retention bonuses for recruiting and retaining personnel

FDA Approves the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine
The FDA has approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use in individuals 16 years of age and older. The vaccine will now be marketed as Comirnaty.

FDA Updates Vaccine Fact Sheets with New Risk Information and Data
The FDA has revised fact sheets for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccines to include updated information on the risks of myocarditis and pericarditis associated with mRNA vaccines.
Moderna Fact Sheet | Johnson & Johnson Fact Sheet

CMS to Restart Ambulance Prior-Authorization Demonstration After COVID-19 Hiatus
CMS has announced that it will resume the phased expansion of the non-emergency ambulance transportation prior authorization demonstration, beginning on December 1, 2021. The demonstration, which was paused due to the public health emergency, aims to reduce repetitive, scheduled ambulance use for non-emergencies. The first phase of expansion will include the states of Colorado and Texas, among others.