HHS Renews Public Health Emergency Determination

On Friday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced it was extending the declaration of a public health emergency (PHE). HHS is renewing its COVID-19 public health emergency declaration for another 90 days effective October 18, 2021 through January 16, 2022.

The extension of the PHE also extends the availability of the 6% FMAP increase authorized by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The FFCRA states that the 6% FMAP increase is available through the last day in the calendar quarter in which the PHE is declared. Since the PHE now expires in January 2022, the 6% FMAP increase is available through the end of March 2022. This coincides with the termination of the FMAP bump authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP), which is explicitly set out in statute as available from 4/1/21-3/31/22.