American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association PAC issued the following announcement on Sept. 20
As part of President Biden’s “Path Out of the Pandemic” Plan, the White House announced that COVID-19 vaccines will be required for all Medicare and Medicaid providers.
Because of this and because vaccination is one way that healthcare professionals can fulfill their commitment to ensure the health and well-being of others, the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) highly encourages all O&P professionals receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccination will not only protect the health of the O&P professional, but that of their colleagues, patients, and the public as well.
AOPA will know more about this requirement once the actual proposed rule is published in mid-October. In the meantime, AOPA put together the basic FAQs below. As soon as we have more of the specifics we will share them.
Should you have any questions please contact Joe McTernan at jmcternan@AOPAnet.org
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Recent White House Announcement that COVID-19 Vaccines will be Required for All Medicare/Medicaid Providers
Q: Does the vaccine requirement apply to O&P providers?
A: While publication of the proposed rule will provide more detail regarding who the vaccine mandate will apply to, AOPA believes that the proposed vaccine mandate will apply to all healthcare entities that are enrolled in Medicare and/or Medicaid, including O&P providers.
Q: Will employees that do not directly interact with patients be required to be vaccinated?
A: The proposed rule will provide additional details but the White House announcement indicates that employees not involved in direct patient care will required to be vaccinated.
Q: Will there be exemptions from the vaccine requirement due to health, religious, or other concerns?
A: Any possible exemptions to the vaccine requirement will most likely be addressed in the proposed rule.
Q: What is the deadline for meeting the vaccine requirement?
A: While the exact compliance date is not yet known, CMS will have to provide a reasonable amount of time after the proposed rule is released for public comment, reviewed, and finalized, for providers to comply with the vaccine requirement.
Original source can be found here.
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