CMS updates guidance on COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today released a memorandum and provider-specific guidance on complying with its interim final rule requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for workers in most health care settings, including hospitals and health systems, that participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. While the memorandum specifically applies to Texas, the guidance and rule apply to all states.

The U.S. Supreme Court in January allowed the vaccine mandate rule to take effect nationwide, and a federal judge later dismissed a Texas challenge to the mandate.