Elective and Non-Essential Medical Procedures

On April 16, 2020, the Trump Administration issued its “Opening Up America Again Guidelines” (the “OUAA Guidelines”) as a self-styled roadmap to the staged reopening of the American economy.

On Sunday, April 19, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) followed suit by issuing new guidance (the “Reopening Guidance”) designed to reintroduce the provision of non-essential surgeries and medical procedures by healthcare providers located in “Phase 1” states and/or regions.  Such non-elective procedures were previously put on hold at the state and local levels in accordance with prior CMS guidance dated March 18, 2020 (the “March Guidance”) in which CMS called for the delay of all elective surgeries, non-essential medical, surgical, and dental procedures during the COVID-19 state of emergency.
Continue Reading Elective and Non-Essential Medical Procedures: States React to Federal Recommendations and the Opening Up America Again Guidelines