Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information and Resources

Public Health Emergency Resource Update

Click here to view CMS's latest PHE resource updates.

Click here to view CMS's guidance regarding the expiration of the COVID-19 PHE (dated May 1, 2023).

Click here to view CMS's answers to frequently asked questions about waivers, flexibilities, and the end of the COVID-19 PHE (dated May 5, 2023).

CDC Resources Links

  • Click here to view the COVID-19 vaccine storage and handling toolkit.

  • Click here to view information on the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

  • Click here to view the COVID-19 vaccination planning information.

FDA Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers Administering COVID-19 Vaccine

Click here to view the FDA fact sheet for administering the vaccine.

CMS COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) Tip Sheet

Click here and here (for the companion document published on July 1, 2020) to view the CMS tip sheet(s) created to assist IRF providers in understanding the status of the IRF Quality Reporting Program (QRP) during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). Also provided is practical guidance to address IRF quality data submission requirements starting July 1, 2020, now that the temporary IRF QRP exemptions from the COVID-19 PHE have ended.

COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Renewed (effective October 23, 2020)

HHS Secretary Alex Azar officially extended the COVID-19 public health emergency designation for another 90 days.
Click here for more information.

MLN Matters SE20011: Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) Response to the Public Health Emergency on the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Clarifications for Using “CR” modifier and “DR” modifier condition codes. Click here to view this MLN document (revised August 26).

How We Reopen Safely

Click here to see tracking on all states as they make progress towards a new normal during COVID-19.

Free Webinar: CMS COVID-19 Waivers for IRFs (May 7, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern)

Description: UDSMR will discuss these waivers, how they impact IRF-PAI completion, and address some of the frequently asked questions we receive from our subscribers. We will also provide CMS clarifications on these waivers which we have received as a result of ongoing UDSMR outreach and advocacy efforts.
Thank you to everyone that attended.

*Updated* CMS List of Blanket Waivers

Click here to view the Emergency Declaration Blanket Waivers for Health Care Providers currently in effect.

UDSMR IRF Covid-19 Discussion Panel Recording

Description: Guest panelists discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their communities, their hospitals, and their rehabilitation facilities. 
Click here to listen to our discussion panel that was held Thursday, April 9.

Off-Cycle release of new COVID-19 ICD-10 code

U07.1 with a tier of D now added to the UDS-PROi® software. Click here to view our newsletter for more information.

CMS releases interim Final Rule

Click here to view “Policy and Regulatory Revisions in Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency,” the interim Final Rule that CMS released on March 31. The rule addresses a variety of payment and practice needs for patients and health care providers raised in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as expanding telehealth practice and relaxing rules for teaching physician practice. Comments on the interim final rule are due June 1 by 5 p.m. EST.

The COVID Tracking Project

Click here to view the COVID Tracking Project website. The COVID Tracking Project collects and publishes the most complete testing data available for US states and territories.

COVID-19: Dear Clinician Letter

Click here to view the letter CMS posted to clinicians that outlines a summary of actions CMS has taken to ensure clinicians have maximum flexibility to reduce unnecessary barriers to providing patient care during the unprecedented outbreak of COVID-19. The summary includes information about telehealth and virtual visits, accelerated and advanced payments, and recent waiver information.

CMS website: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Stakeholder Calls

Click here to view the CMS web site that offers all the podcasts and transcripts pertaining to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

A message from our Executive Committee

With regard to the coronavirus pandemic, our Executive Committee wants to thank our subscribers and health-care professionals for all they are doing during these challenging times. To read the full message, please click here.

Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities: CMS Flexibilities to Fight COVID-19

Click here to view this CMS document highlighting the temporary government waivers and rule changes for IRFs to respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Coronavirus Waivers & Flexibilities

Click here to view a new CMS page that highlights the waivers, new rules, and flexibilities available during the coronavirus pandemic. The page includes numerous fact sheets and FAQs specific to different kinds of health-care providers. State-specific waivers are listed at the bottom of the page.

CDC Coronavirus (COVID-19) website

Click here for all the latest information from the CDC website.

Global map of outbreak

Johns Hopkins University's Coronavirus Resource Center- includes this link to a global map of the disease outbreak created by their Center for Systems Science and Engineering.