For local public health agencies and healthcare providers only:
For general questions about COVID-19:
Latest updates:
May 13, 2022: Potentially Significant Drug Interactions, including Contraindicated Drugs (PAXLOVIDTM)
March 14, 2022: Oral COVID-19 medication
December 29, 2021: Federal CMS guidance on omnibus COVID-19 health care staff vaccination interim final rule
December 21, 2021: Pfizer Vaccine Shelf-Life Extension
December 20, 2021: Increase in vaccine reimbursement for Health First Colorado Medicaid members
December 15, 2021: Virtual Grand Rounds: The latest on Omicron and Crisis Standards of Care
Clarification: Physician offices do not count as “facilities” or “clinics” in this context. As stated in FAQs from the federal CMS, “This regulation will also not apply to physician’s offices because they are not subject to [federal] CMS health and safety regulations.” However, “a physician admitting and/or treating patients in-person within a facility subject to the CMS health and safety regulations and included as a part of this requirement must be vaccinated so that the facility is compliant.”
On Dec. 29, 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (federal CMS) released guidance on the Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination Interim Final Rule that was published on Nov. 5, 2021. The emergency regulation requires vaccinations for eligible staff at health care facilities participating in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
The staff vaccination requirement applies to the following Medicare and Medicaid-certified provider and supplier types:
The American Medical Association and Colorado Medical Society strongly support vaccination requirements in health care settings.
While the implementation and enforcement of this regulation is enjoined in 25 states, Colorado is not involved in the litigation and the rule currently applies to facilities participating in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Additional information: