CMS implements vaccine requirement
By HME News Staff
Updated 9:31 AM CDT, Thu November 4, 2021
WASHINGTON – CMS will require COVID-19 vaccinations for eligible staff at health care facilities that participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. DME suppliers are not listed among the healthcare provider and supplier types subject to COVID-19 vaccine requirements. “Ensuring patient safety and protection from COVID-19 has been the focus of our efforts in combating the pandemic and the constantly evolving challenges we’re seeing,” said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. “Today’s action addresses the risk of unvaccinated health care staff to patient safety and provides stability and uniformity across the nation’s health care system to strengthen the health of people and the providers who care for them.” Facilities covered by this regulation must establish a policy ensuring all eligible staff have received the first dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine or a one-dose COVID-19 vaccine prior to providing any care, treatment or other services by Dec. 5, 2021. All eligible staff must have received the necessary shots to be fully vaccinated – either two doses of Pfizer or Moderna or one dose of Johnson & Johnson – by Jan. 4, 2022. The regulation provides for exemptions based on recognized medical conditions or religious beliefs.
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