241 pages. "This [Interim Final Rule with Comment Period (IFC)] implements requirements in the CARES Act that providers of COVID-19 diagnostic tests make public their cash prices for those tests and establishes an enforcement scheme to enforce those requirements.... This rule also amends regulations regarding coverage of preventive health services to implement section 3203 of the CARES Act, which shortens the timeframe within which non-grandfathered group health plans and health insurance issuers offering non-grandfathered group or individual health insurance coverage must begin to cover without cost sharing qualifying coronavirus preventive services, including recommended COVID-19 immunizations. This IFC also revises regulations to set forth flexibilities in the public notice requirements and post award public participation requirements for State Innovation Waivers under section 1332 of the [ACA] during the public health emergency for COVID-19....

"These regulations are effective on November 2, 2020, except for amendatory instruction 36, which is effective on January 1, 2021.... Except as otherwise specified ... these regulations are applicable from the effective date until the end of the public health emergency for COVID-19 as determined by the HHS Secretary." 

[Also see: CMS press release and fact sheet; COVID-19 vaccine resources for providers, health plans and State Medicaid programs; and FAQs on billing for therapeutics.]  MORE >>