The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has officially renewed the public health emergency declaration for the coronavirus pandemic. The emergency declaration will now last through at least October 23, 2020.

This will ensure that key telehealth flexibilities and cost sharing waivers for COVID-19 testing and treatment remain in place for at least 90 more days as many states are facing dramatic increases in COVID-19 cases. The extension of the public health emergency will also allow states continue to draw down more federal matching funds for Medicaid programs.