FDA no longer requires a positive COVID-19 test to receive a Paxlovid or Lagevrio prescription; CDC reports that bivalent boosters protect against XBB and XBB.1.5 SARS-Co-V-2 subvariants.

The updated fact sheets share when specific waivers will end and whether they will continue after the public health emergency's end on May 11.

The guidance informs states how to maintain the temporary increased federal medical assistance percentage while returning to normal Medicaid operations.

Qualified individuals and their families who lose Medicaid or CHIP eligibility once the continuous enrollment requirement ends can apply for marketplace coverage between March 31, 2023, and July 31, 2024.

The Biden administration announced that the COVID-19 public health emergency, initially declared Jan. 27, 2020, will end May 11.

FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee votes to replace the original monovalent COVID-19 vaccine, Evusheld no longer is authorized under emergency use, and the CDC launches a COVID-19 testing locator.

The Drug Enforcement Administration no longer will require additional registration for prescribers to prescribe buprenorphine.

CMS reports that open enrollment through the health insurance marketplaces for 2023 totals 16.3 million people, a 13 percent increase from 2022.

An FDA committee will vote on the future of the COVID-19 vaccine, while CDC unveils two trackers for COVID-19, flu, and RSV–related hospital and emergency department visits.

The association supports HHS' work to align the rule more closely with HIPAA regulations, which will improve care coordination and mitigate discrimination.

In a new podcast series by a physician at association member NYC Health + Hospitals, Beth Feldpush, DrPH, the association's senior vice president of policy and advocacy, unpacks the complex patchwork of payments that keep essential hospitals afloat. 

The National Institutes of Health launches the Home Test to Treat program; FDA and CDC report a COVID-19 vaccine safety concern for those ages 65 and older.

America's Essential Hospitals and other plaintiffs had asked the judge to order an immediate repayment in full for five years of underpayments to 340B hospitals.

A CMS letter to state Medicaid directors clarifies how in lieu of services (ILOS) can be used to mitigate health disparities, limits ILOS expenditures, and adopts documentation and review requirements.

The association supports CMS' work to simplify enrollment and asks the agency to ensure equitable access to beneficiaries’ preferred health care providers.

Prioritizing hospitals in health professional shortage areas, CMS awarded residency slots to 100 hospitals, including 27 essential hospitals.

Effective Jan. 11, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra renewed the COVID-19 public health emergency determination.

FDA and CDC say Evusheld is unlikely to neutralize the XBB.1.5 subvariant, and a CDC report indicates COVID-19 vaccination in children and adolescents is highest among Asian and Hispanic youth. 

After the omnibus bill decoupled Medicaid redeterminations from the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, CMS updates key redetermination dates.

Medicaid and CHIP coverage of interprofessional consultation is permissible as long as the consultation is for the beneficiary's direct benefit.

Registration is open now for the two Climate Change and Cardiovascular Disease Collaborative webinars on Jan. 12, at noon ET, and Feb. 9, at noon ET.

FDA approves the use of Actemra, a monoclonal antibody treatment, as COVID-19 cases caused by the XBB.1.5 subvariant of SARS-CoV-2 spike.

The report summarizes responses to a 2022 request for information, which focus on eligibility and enrollment, access to hospital services, and payment.

The proposed rule updates essential community provider requirements for qualified health plans and adds a special enrollment period for those disenrolled from Medicaid or CHIP.

The bill includes funding to bolster the health care workforce and extends flexible telehealth policies, including the hospital at home waiver.

Americans again can request four no-cost, at-home COVID-⁠19 tests per address; FDA's vaccine committee will meet in January to develop a long-term strategy.

The dashboard tracks nonfatal opioid overdoses by state and county and will help service providers target substance use disorder interventions and treatment.

CDC expands its recommendation for bivalent COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 6 months to 5 years old as health agencies confront low vaccination rates among children.