HHS releases guidance on the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

Author

Image of Blaire-Bryant.jpg

Blaire Bryant

Legislative Director, Health | Large Urban County Caucus

Upcoming Events

Related News

Advocacy

County Countdown – October 6, 2025

Image of GettyImages-1318028140.jpg

Key Takeaways

On February 9, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released new guidance on the agency’s plan to end the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) declaration on May 11, 2023.

The national PHE declaration was first instated in March 2020 and unlocked flexibilities at the federal and local level that supported efforts to ensure access to critical health services and implement pandemic-related prevention and mitigation strategies during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The guidance released last month will help health care providers, facilities, insurers and other stakeholders including counties to transition beyond the federal PHE declaration, into a long-term strategy for infectious disease mitigation and improved access to and quality of care for patients.

HHS outlined several COVID-19 PHE flexibilities and policies that have already been made permanent or otherwise extended, and those policies that will be expiring when the PHE ends in May. An overview of relevant changes for counties is below.

What will remain?

  • No-cost coverage for vaccinations and certain treatments under most private insurance (out of pocket expenses for some treatments may vary by insurance)
  • No-cost coverage of COVID-19 vaccinations under Medicare Part B and no-cost treatment under Medicare
  • No cost coverage for vaccinations under Medicaid (treatment coverage may vary by state after September 30, 2024)
  • Major Medicare and Medicaid telehealth flexibilities (Medicaid telehealth flexibilities may vary by state)
  • Start date for state eligibility and redeterminations under Medicaid (March 31, 2023)
  • Flexibilities related to access to medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder

What will expire?

HHS has also indicated that all COVID-19 products (including tests, vaccines, and treatments) that have been approved by Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) will continue to be authorized for use and accessible to all who need them. Additionally, the agency has committed to providing continued access to pathways for EUAs for other COVID-19 products through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

NACo will continue to monitor federal and local activity in the coming months which will guide counties on the path toward the end of the COVID-19 PHE. As the gateway to our nation’s public health system and a key contributor to the Medicaid program, counties remain committed to ensuring ongoing access to crucial health services for our residents and will continue to serve as frontline providers of COVID-19 related prevention, mitigation and recovery services.

To learn more, view the following federal resources and guidance documents.

Additional Resources

Related News

Joy Bivens preparing to testify
Advocacy

NACo testifies on the county role in administering SNAP

On September 9, Franklin County, Ohio Deputy County Administrator Joy Bivens testified on behalf of NACo before the U.S. House Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture at a hearing titled “Exploring State Options in SNAP.”

THE_County Countdown_working_image-4.png
Advocacy

County Countdown – October 6, 2025

Every other week, NACo's County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership. This week features a federal shutdown FAQ, overdose prevention funding and more.

Officers from the Henrico County Police Division’s community services department discuss how they collaborate to help keep mentally ill people from continual jail visits. Photo by Meredith Moran
County News

Law enforcement, mental health pros collaborate in Virginia county

Henrico County, Va.’s crisis response continuum brings together law enforcement and behavioral health professionals to de-escalate mental health crises and avoid unnecessary incarcerations and hospitalizations.