COVID-19 Elective Surgeries and Non-Essential Procedures
Recommendations
On Wednesday, March 18, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
announced that all elective surgeries, non-essential medical, surgical, and dental
procedures be delayed during the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
You can find a copy of the press release here: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-
releases/cms-releases-recommendations-adult-elective-surgeries-non-essential-medical-
surgical-and-dental
You can find a copy of the guidance here: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/31820-
cms-adult-elective-surgery-and-procedures-recommendations.pdf
COVID-19 Catastrophic Health Coverage FAQs
On Wednesday, March 18, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
issued Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to clarify coverage for the diagnosis and
treatment of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) by catastrophic health plans. The
FAQs align with guidance the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released last week, which
provides flexibility to high deductible health plans to provide health benefits for diagnosis
and treatment of COVID-19 without application of a deductible or cost-sharing.
The link to the related FAQs can be found here:
https://www.cms.gov/CCIIO/Resources/Files/Catastrophic-Coverage-of-COVID-19.pdf
These recommendations, and earlier CMS guidance and actions in response to the COVID-
19 virus, are part of the ongoing White House Task Force efforts. To keep up with the
important work the Task Force is doing in response to COVID-19 click here Coronavirus.gov
for further information. For a complete and updated list of CMS actions, and other
information specific to CMS, please visit the Current Emergencies Website.
March 19, 2020
On Wednesday, March 18, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) posted an update to its
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the Medicaid.gov website to aid state Medicaid and Children's Health
Insurance Program (CHIP) agencies in their response to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
CMS is taking this action to continue its efforts to protect the health and safety of providers and patients,
including those who are covered by Medicaid and CHIP.
You can find the updated FAQs here: https://www.medicaid.gov/state-resource-center/downloads/covid-19-
faqs.pdf
These FAQs, and earlier CMS actions in response to the COVID-19 virus, are part of the ongoing White House
Task Force efforts. To keep up with the important work the Task Force is doing in response to COVID-19, click
here Coronavirus.gov. For information specific to CMS, please visit the Current Emergencies Website.
UPDATED INFORMATION
