Supreme Court Hears Vaccine Mandate Cases
On Friday, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in two sets of challenges to federal vaccine mandates. The
CMS Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination Interim Final Rule (CMS IFR) and the
OSHA COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing ETS cases were fast-tracked by the Supreme Court as lower courts continue to hear challenges to their legality. Spectators noted the justices seemed skeptical of the OSHA requirement but more receptive to the CMS health care worker case.
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Medicare Tele-Behavioral Health Services
The National Association of Community Health Centers has received clarification from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) about the new rules for Medicare coverage of behavioral health services provided via telehealth. The new regulations officially require a patient to have an in-person behavioral health appointment within the 6 months prior to starting behavioral health services via telehealth and at least once every 12 months while receiving those services. However, these requirements for in-person appointments will not be in effect for the duration of the COVID Public Health Emergency.
SoonerCare Expansion Members & PCMH Selection
The Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) has announced that starting January 1, 2022, SoonerCare Choice Expansion Adult members will be required to get a referral from their patient-centered medical home (PCMH) / primary care provider (PCP) in order to see a contracted specialist. No referral has been required to see a specialist for these members so far, but as of January 1st, 2022, this flexibility was removed and referrals are now required for SoonerCare Choice Expansion Adults seeking specialty care. Health centers seeking guidance on strategies to encourage PCP selection can contact cheit@okcpa.org.