WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has extended the public health emergency for another three months. On Jan. 7, HHS Secretary Alex Azar announced the extension of the PHE, which was set to expire Jan. 21. HHS extended the PHE, originally declared on Jan. 31, 2020, multiple times last year. There are several HME-related provisions tied to the PHE, including Medicare’s 75/25 blended reimbursement rates in non-rural, non-competitive bidding areas; and waivers of certain telehealth restrictions and other waivers and policy changes.