The Biden-Harris administration this month made two pandemic-related announcements of special interest to physicians: $25.5 billion in new relief funds will be available for health care providers, and COVID-19 vaccinations will soon be mandated for all health care facility workers.

Starting Wednesday, Sept. 29, health care providers who can document revenue loss and expenses associated with the pandemic can apply for the $25.5 billion in new funding, which includes $8.5 billion in American Rescue Plan (ARP) resources for physicians and others who serve rural Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program, or Medicare patients; and $17 billion more for a broad range of providers from the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Phase 4. Learn more>>

In addition, an interim final rule expected in October from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will expand previously implemented emergency regulations requiring vaccinations for nursing home workers by requiring vaccinations for workers at all hospitals, dialysis facilities, ambulatory surgical settings, and home health agencies, among other health care settings, as a condition for participating in Medicare and Medicaid programs. A comment period will follow the issuance of the interim final rule. Learn more >>

ISMA will keep members updated on any important information related to these announcements.