Updates & Analysis

FDA Issues Emergency Use Authorization for First At-Home COVID-19 Test On November 17th, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the first prescription at-home COVID-19 test. The test, which was developed by Lucira Health, uses molecular amplification technology for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in patients with known or suspected COVID-19. It can be used…

SPG COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy Federal-State Crosswalk SPG has created a new Vaccination Strategy Crosswalk which compares policy and guidance elements of the federal and New York State COVID-19 vaccination playbook and strategy documents released so far. We will update this document when more information is published, and we continue to update our other COVID-19 Resources on an ongoing basis.…

Governor Cuomo Announces New COVID-19 Restrictions in New York Today (November 11th), Governor Cuomo announced that due to a rise in COVID-19 infections, some restrictions will be reimposed on New York State activities. Starting on Friday, November 13th at 10pm, bars and restaurants with state liquor licenses and gyms must close at 10pm. New York State will also…

DFS Extends Emergency Regulations Requiring Insurers to Waive Cost Sharing Today (November 9th), the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) extended emergency regulations which were initially published March 16th that require DFS-regulated insurance plans to waive cost-sharing for: COVID-19 testing/visits, including in-network laboratory tests for COVID-19 and visits to diagnose COVID-19 through telehealth, the emergency department, or at an in-network provider or…

Governor Cuomo Announces New Out-of-State Travel Guidelines On October 31st, Governor Cuomo announced new guidelines that will allow out-of-state travelers coming to New York to “test out” of the mandatory 14-day quarantine. Effective November 4th, out-of-state travelers may test out of the mandatory quarantine as follows: For travelers who were in another state for more than…

Federal Updates HHS Releases Interim Final Rule on COVID-19 Vaccine Coverage, Other Flexibilities On October 28th, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), alongside the Department of Labor and the Treasury Department, released an interim final rule with request for comments (IFC) (available here) in response to COVID-19, with particular emphasis on establishing coverage policies…

Federal Updates HHS Updates Provider Relief Fund Reporting Requirements and Eligibility On October 22nd, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued an announcement (availablehere) making changes to the reporting requirements and eligibility requirements for the General Distribution of the Provider Relief Fund (PRF). First, HHS is amending the PRF reporting requirements that were…

Governor Cuomo Announces Adjustments to COVID-19 Cluster Strategy Restrictions On October 21st, Governor Cuomo held a press conference during which he announced adjustments to the State’s efforts to address COVID-19 clusters through local restrictions. Cluster zone designations will be adjusted as follows:  Areas will exit a red zone if they have an infection rate under…

Governor Cuomo Announces Statewide Vaccine Administration Program On October 18th, Governor Cuomo held a press conference during which he announced details of New York State’s COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Program. While the federal government will distribute any approved vaccine at a national level, New York will have a statewide vaccination plan that all local governments will…

Governor Cuomo Issues Executive Order 202.69 On October 14th, Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order 202.69 (available here), which extends the following provisions through November 13th: Authorizes the Commissioner of Health to suspend or revoke the operating certificate of any skilled nursing facility or adult care facility if that facility has not complied with regulations or directives from DOH. Authorizes licensed…