OSHA published a new Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) requiring most employers with 100+ employees to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations or require weekly COVID testing. Employers must implement policy by no later than December 5, 2021, and fully comply by January 4, 2022.
OSHA has published some helpful guidance for employers, including this FAQ and a 30-minute webinar.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) also issued an interim final rule requiring COVID-19 vaccination of eligible staff at certain healthcare entities that participate in Medicare and Medicaid. The requirements apply to: Ambulatory Surgical Centers, Hospices, Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, Hospitals, Long Term Care facilities, Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities, Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities, Home Health Agencies, Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facilities, Critical Access Hospitals, Clinics (rehabilitation agencies, and public health agencies as providers of outpatient physical therapy and speech-language pathology services), Community Mental Health Centers, Home Infusion Therapy suppliers, Rural Health Clinics/Federally Qualified Health Centers, and End-Stage Renal Disease Facilities.
Gardner Skelton is assessing the new rules and will be ready to start working with all our clients on implementation plans and strategies. We know this mandate is stressful and we are committed to helping everyone get through this as seamlessly as possible.
Feel free to call with questions or to set up a time to start brainstorming about potential processes and procedures.