The new rule applies to specific categories of providers that participate in the Medicare and Medicaid program, such as ambulatory surgery centers, hospices, residential treatment facilities, and long term care facilities, among others.įacilities that fall under this new CMS rule must develop a plan to vaccinate all eligible staff, while also creating a process to provide exemptions and accommodations for staff who are eligible for medical or religious exemptions from the vaccine requirements-although these exemptions must be “in accordance with federal law,” according to the National Law Review. Staff must complete this step before they can provide any care, treatment, or other services for the facility and/or its patients.ĭuring phase 2-implemented within 60 days of the rule’s publication, or by January 4, 2022-all staff must complete their primary vaccination series.
The regulation also requires health care providers to establish a process or policy to ensure staff are fully vaccinated over 2 phases.ĭuring phase 1-within 30 days of the rule’s publication, or by December 6, 2021- employees at all health care facilities must have received their first dose of a 2-shot series of either Moderna or Pfizer or a single dose of the 1-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The ruling does include exemptions for staff who provide support services exclusively outside of the facility setting. The rule includes all employees, including those who do not have direct patient contact. Hospitals and health systems must vaccinate staff members within 60 days. This rule includes hospital and health systems participating in Medicare and Medicaid. Last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule requiring vaccination against COVID-19 for employees in most health care settings.