COVID-19 Vaccination & Testing Mandates

Two new COVID-19 vaccination mandates were released two weeks ago.  This is addition to the previously established OSHA Healthcare ETS and many state and local rules regarding COVID-19.  The information overload is real as you determine which rule or more than one rule applies to your organization.  But, here’s the short story on the two OSHA mandates and the one CMS rule. 

The OSHA Healthcare ETS was released in June 2021 and applicable to healthcare workers, healthcare support services, and setting in which any employee provides healthcare services or support.  This rule does not require vaccination.  It’s primarily directed to prevention of the spread of COVID-19 to patients and other employees. 

The OSHA Vaccination and Testing ETS was released in November.  This mandate applies to all private sector industries covered under OSHA who have 100 or more employees.  It excludes healthcare settings.  However, a large personal care and homemaker service might be covered under this rule.  Under this rule, all employees with a few exceptions are required to be fully vaccinated by January 4, 2022.  The validity of all aspects of this rule is in litigation currently, but experts suggest beginning the process of compliance in case it is not overturned.

The CMS Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination Interim Rule was also released two weeks ago, and is directed to all Medicare and Medicaid providers.  This mandate requires all employees regardless of patient contact or clinical responsibility to be vaccinated.  Workers who work remotely 100% of the time are exempted. 

There are numerous aspects of each rule, and it’s imperative that each employer understands to which one their employees must comply.  MAC Legacy has sorted it all out and has the tools to help you remain in compliance.