Which date signified the official termination of the domestic U.S. Public Health Emergency (PHE) status by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)?
May 11, 2023
The conclusion of the domestic emergency status within the United States, as declared by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), was finalized on May 11, 2023. This date was crucial because it marked the end of sweeping emergency powers that had been in effect since January 2020 under Section 319 of the Public Health Service Act. The termination of this status directly impacted operational aspects of healthcare delivery across the country. Specifically, many regulatory flexibilities that were granted under the emergency status—such as provisions allowing for the expansion of telehealth services or granting states flexibility in Medicaid enrollment—expired or began transitioning into non-emergency billing and administrative structures. This domestic revocation held immediate financial and regulatory consequences for healthcare financing.
