Guidance on Non-Essential & Non-Elective Services

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services continues to provide guidance on cancellation or postponement of non-elective services to expand capacity in the health care system and reduce risk of exposure. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a fact sheet, CMS Adult Elective Surgery and Procedures Recommendations. The recommendations acknowledge that case-by-case determinations will need to be made based on the totality of the circumstances. This guidance was based on information originally issued by the American College of Surgeons, which can be found here. CMS has been cautious to note that decisions will need to be made at the local level and must be made with input from the patient, doctor, and facility.

More information can be found in the CMS Press Release.