By: Brenda Teed, LSW, COVID-19 Social Support Coordinator & Preventionist 

Based on current COVID-19 trends, The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is planning for the federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19 to expire on May 11, 2023.

Efforts to mitigate the worst impacts of COVID-19 since the Omicron surge at the end of January 2022 has resulted in:

• Daily COVID-19 reported cases are down 92%
• COVID-19 deaths have declined by over 80%, and
• New COVID-19 hospitalizations are down nearly 80%

What will not be affected as a result of these changes:

• Access to vaccinations and treatments like Paxlovid and Lagevrio
• Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for COVID-19 products (tests, vaccines, & treatments)
• Major Medicare and Medicaid telehealth flexibilities
• The process for states to begin eligibility redeterminations for Medicaid will not be affected
• Access to buprenorphine for opioid use disorder in Opioid Treatment programs (Early in the pandemic, SAMSHA issued guidance allowing patients access to buprenorphine by telehealth)
• Access to expanded methadone take-home doses for opioid use disorder

What WILL be affected as a result of these changes:

• Certain Medicare & Medicaid waivers and flexibilities will end
• Coverage for COVID-19 testing will change
• Reporting of COVID-19 lab results and immunization data to the CDC
• FDA COVID-19 related guidance documents that affect clinical practice and supply chains will end
• FDA’s ability to detect early shortages of critical devices related to COVID-19 will be limited
• Public Readiness & Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act liabilities protections
• The ability of health care providers to dispense controlled substance via telehealth

For more information regarding the ending of the COVID-19 public health emergency phase, visit the Department of Health and Humans Services webpage: https://www.hhs.gov/.