CMS Issues Guidance on Required COVID-19 Coverage

On October 22, 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it has issued guidance requiring states to cover COVID-19 treatment without cost sharing for people enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), supported by the American Rescue Plan. This coverage includes treatments and therapies for post-COVID-19 conditions, referred to as “long COVID,” as well as conditions that may seriously complicate the treatment of COVID-19 if otherwise covered under the state plan, and specialized equipment and drugs authorized by the FDA to treat or prevent COVID-19. The guidance states that “CMS will apply the statutory interpretations in this guidance on a prospective basis beginning with the date of issuance of this letter.”