CMS recommended a halt to elective surgeries across the U.S. in March to preserve resources for healthcare workers on the front lines as well as allow physicians and patients to practice social distancing.
In response, surgeons across the country canceled or postponed non-essential elective procedures at hospitals and ASCs. On April 7, CMS released a document with recommendations about which procedures could be deferred and those that are necessary or urgent to save a life.
The agency will continue to rely on local healthcare delivery systems, clinicians and health officials who are directly responsible about care to make the final decision alongside their patients. The agency recommends considering several factors when deciding about whether to move forward with surgery, including the current and projected COVID-19 cases in the region; staffing availability; supply availability; testing capabilities; and the patient's age and risk for severe disease.
Here are the tier recommendations per CMS:
Tier 1: Low acuity treatment or services to consider postponing or conducting via telehealth
• Routine primary or specialty care
• Preventative care visits or screenings
• Annual wellness visits
• Supervised exercise therapy
• Acupuncture
Tier 2: Intermediate acuity services where not providing the service would increase morbidity or mortality
• Pediatric vaccinations
• Early childhood care
• Follow-up visits for medical or mental health conditions
• Symptom evaluation
• Evaluating non-urgent COVID-19 symptoms
Tier 3: High acuity services that postponing would result in patient harm to move forward with treatment
• Evaluating new patient symptoms
• Evaluating symptoms of COVID-19 with warning signs that include shortness of breath, altered medical status or other severe disease indications