Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination Interim Final Rule Summary
On November 5, 2021, CMS published in the Federal Registeran interim final rule with comment period (IFC): Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination (86 FR 61555). The IFC revises the conditions of participation for Medicare- and Medicaid-certified providers to establish COVID-19 vaccination requirements applicable to staff. CMS uses its broad statutory authority to establish health and safety regulations for Medicare-Medicaid-certified providers to establish vaccination requirements for the following types of facilities and services:
- Ambulatory Surgical Centers
- Hospices
- Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities
- Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly
- Hospitals
- Long Term Care Facilities, including Skilled Nursing Facilitie sand Nursing Facilities
- Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
- Home Health Agencies
- Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facilities
- Critical Access Hospitals
- Clinics, Rehabilitation Agencies, and Public Health Agencies as providers of outpatient physical therapy and speech-language pathology services
- Community Mental Health Centers
- Home Infusion Therapy suppliers
- Rural Health Clinics/Federally Qualified Health Centers
- End-Stage Renal Disease Facilities
The IFC is accompanied by publication of a frequently asked questions document. Comments are due on January 4, 2022.