General Information about COVID-19

1. Where can I find the ASA recommendations on treating COVID-19 and suspected COVID-19 patients?

• ASA recommendations on treating COVID-19 and suspected COVID-19 patients is available on the ASA website. Additional ASA recommendations, statements and other resources are available on our “In the Spotlight” COVID-19 webpage. 

2. Where can I find more information on the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency?

• The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) ended on May 11, 2023. Most of the waivers and other regulatory items from the US Department of Health and Human Services ended on that date. Others, including some Food and Drug Administration products under Emergency Use Authrorization will continue through most of 2023.

3. With the end of the Public Health Emergency, must facilities that accept Medicare or Medicaid ensure their staff have received COVID-19 vaccinations?

• On May 31, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule rescinding the Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination mandate. With this withdrawal, Medicare- and Medicaid-certified healthcare facilities are no longer required to enforce COVID-19 vaccination among staff and contractors. However, CMS noted that it will now use quality reporting measures and incentives to encourage entities to keep workers “up to date” on COVID-19 vaccinations.  Moreover, withdrawal of the vaccination requirements does not prohibit facilities from establishing their own internal policies that require COVID-19 staff vaccinations. 

4. Where can I find recordings of the ASA Town Halls on COVID-19 topics?

• Recordings of the ASA Town Halls are accessible via the ASA COVID-19 “In the Spotlight” webpage. Links to receiving CME credit for reviewing the Town Hall is available via that page as well.

5. Does ASA have information for medical students and COVID-19?

• The ASA Medical Student Component has developed a list of resources for medical students and residents. 

Additional Information

• Anesthesia Machines and Equipment Maintenance
• Clinical Care
• Elective Surgery
• Federal Advocacy
• Hospital and Facility Administration
• Occupational Safety and Wellness
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Practice Management and Billing
• Patient Testing
• Vaccines

Disclaimer

Viewers of this material should review these FAQs with appropriate medical and legal counsel and make their own determinations as to relevance to their particular practice setting and compliance with state and federal laws and regulations. The ASA has used its best efforts to provide accurate information. However, this material is provided only for informational purposes and does not constitute medical or legal advice. This response also should not be construed as representing ASA policy (unless otherwise stated), making clinical recommendations, dictating payment policy, or substituting for the judgment of a physician and consultation with independent legal counsel.