COVID-19 Public Health Crisis Continues in U.S., Emergency Status Extended
COVID-19 Public Health Emergency to End in May 2025
The current COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) in the United States is set to end on May 11, 2025, as announced by the Biden administration [1]. This marks the end of the national and public health emergency declarations related to COVID-19 that have been in place for nearly three years.
As the PHE comes to an end, several changes are expected in the healthcare sector.
Healthcare Coverage Changes
Many federal flexibilities and waivers initiated during the emergency period will be phased out gradually rather than ending abruptly on May 11, 2025. One such change is the end of the pause on student loan repayments linked to the emergency, which will occur on June 30, 2025 [1].
A significant impact will be seen in telehealth policies. Key telehealth flexibilities that expanded access and reimbursement under Medicare since the pandemic began are scheduled to expire on September 30, 2025, unless Congress acts to extend them [2][3]. If not extended, restrictions may return, limiting Medicare telehealth reimbursements, reinstating rural and facility restrictions, and disrupting critical programs like Hospital at Home [2].
The American Medical Association (AMA) supports bipartisan legislation (CONNECT for Health Act of 2025) to permanently extend vital telehealth waivers initiated during the PHE [3], but congressional action is still pending as of early August 2025.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued revised guidance relating to the expiration of the COVID-19 PHE to assist providers and patients in the transition back to pre-pandemic rules [4].
The Impact of PHE on COVID-19 Cases and Deaths
The enhanced availability of vaccinations and medications has significantly reduced the COVID-19 pandemic's toll since early in President Joe Biden's term. Over 3,000 Americans were dying from COVID-19 daily at the beginning of his term, but the average number of COVID-related deaths a day, according to the most recent CDC data, is 390 [5].
Preparing for the Transition
The Biden administration is taking steps to prepare for the transition to an exclusive market for COVID-19 related products. The transition to an exclusive market for COVID-19 related products is anticipated to occur after the public health emergency ends [6].
In conclusion, while the legal public health emergency status ends in May 2025, important healthcare coverage flexibilities—particularly telehealth provisions—will phase out over the following months unless Congress legislates permanent extensions. This transition will require healthcare providers and patients to prepare for changes in coverage and service delivery under Medicare and other federal programs [1][2][3][4].
References: [1] https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/01/04/statement-from-the-white-house-on-the-extension-of-the-covid-19-public-health-emergency/ [2] https://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/about-ama/our-people/ama-councils/council-of-insurance-and-managed-care/reports/ama-council-of-insurance-and-managed-care-position-on-telehealth-and-the-future-of-medicare-reimbursement [3] https://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/about-ama/our-people/ama-councils/council-of-insurance-and-managed-care/reports/ama-council-of-insurance-and-managed-care-position-on-telehealth-and-the-future-of-medicare-reimbursement [4] https://www.cms.gov/files/document/covid-19-public-health-emergency-phe-expiration-planning-toolkit.pdf [5] https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/covid-data/covidview/index.html [6] https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/01/04/statement-from-the-white-house-on-the-extension-of-the-covid-19-public-health-emergency/
- The impact of the COVID-19 public health emergency on various medical-conditions, particularly chronic diseases, may be further scrutinized now that the health-and-wellness sector prepares for a transition post-PHE.
- As the end of the COVID-19 PHE could potentially limit telehealth reimbursements, mental-health professionals might consider exploring alternative solutions such as the use of CBD (cannabidiol) in remote therapy sessions to maintain accessibility.
- As the focus in healthcare shifts towards managing chronic diseases and promoting overall health-and-wellness, it becomes increasingly important to ensure that the benefits of CBD are thoroughly researched within the context of chronic diseases and mental-health disorders, under the broader umbrella of science.
