Houston Lawyers Co-Author Article About CMS Vaccine Mandate for Texas Healthcare Facilities

Kevin Troutman and Jacqueline Del Villar bylined an article in the Medical Journal – Houston outlining actions that Texas healthcare facilities should take as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) moves forward with the implementation and enforcement of a rule that will require all “staff” at covered healthcare facilities in the state to be vaccinated against COVID-19. 

“CMS providers in Texas now have until Feb. 22, 2022, to implement policies and procedures to ensure that 100% of all staff have received at least one dose of the vaccination or have been properly granted certain exemptions or delays,” they wrote. “By March 15, 2022, those facilities must ensure that all staff are fully vaccinated or have been granted appropriate exemptions of delays. Failure to fulfill these requirements can result in penalties, which can include denial of payments or even termination of participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.” 

The authors provide a checklist for preparation, which includes confirming whether the vaccine mandate applies to your facility, implementing methods for tracking and preparing a policy by Feb. 22, and preparing for accommodation requests. 

Read their full article in the Medical Journal – Houston.