CMS COVID-19 Mandate

COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate

Effective immediately, all PHCS  Team Members must be vaccinated against COVID-19. Please help us to meet this requirement and submit your proof of vaccination to the office as soon as possible. We're working to make it as easy as possible to either submit your information or request an exemption appropriately, should that apply to you. 

The supreme court has ruled that the CMS (Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services) vaccine mandate is constitutional and enforceable for all home health agencies providing care to patients through either Medicaid or Medicare.  This includes us!  What does that mean for you?  See the details below


Just know - we're working with you and are here to answer any questions you may have. If you don't see your question answered here, please call the office and we're happy to help. We're in this together.  (Note - this mandate applies to all agency staff. Including office workers and contractors!)

COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Details

Facts about the covid-19 vaccine mandate

This mandate applies to more than just PHCS. 
All healthcare workers whose employers serve Medicare or Medicaid patients are covered under this mandate and are required to be vaccinated. As a Medicare Certified Agency, all PHCS staff must be vaccinated unless requirements for an exemption are appropriately submitted, documented and approved.
There are more than 3 accepted vaccine types. 
Any FDA or WHO approved vaccine is permitted. The most common are Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson.
Only completion of the "Primary Series" is required. 
This depends on your primary vaccine. If you have either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, then you are only required to have the two "primary" doses. If you have the Johnson & Johnson, then only 1 is required (however, boosters are strongly encouraged).
Proof of vaccination is required. 
You can submit a legible copy of your vaccination card or records to PHCS through your Team Member Portal, or send an email to: records@inhomewecare.com.  For New or Potential Team Members - you can upload directly as well or send an email to: HR@inhomewecare.com
The document must show at least your full name, the type of vaccine received, and the date on which it was given.
All PHCS TMs must meet the requirement by 5/1/22. New TMs must meet it before they can be hired. 
The Mandate has set some firm timelines for completion. Any exemption request must contain all required information, meet mandate guidelines, and be approved by PHCS.
  • 2/14/22 - Per Mandate ruling: All staff have at least begun the vaccination process or process to request an exemption
  • 3/01/22 - ALL PHCS STAFF MUST TURN IN PROOF OF AT LEAST 1 VACCINATION
  • 3/15/22 - Per Mandate riling: All staff have started or completed vaccination series - or granted exemption as permitted
  • 4/01/22 - ALL PHCS STAFF MUST HAVE COMPLETED VACCINATION SERIES OR BE IN PROCESS FOR COMPLETION / EXEMPTION
  • 4/14/22 - Per Mandate ruling: All staff has completed primary vaccination series or has been granted an exception as permitted
  • 5/01/22 - ALL PHCS STAFF MUST HAVE PROOF OF COMPLETE VACCINATION OR EXEMPTION

Anyone hired after 05/01/2022 must show proof of vaccination or request and obtain an approved exemption from PHCS before they are able to be hired. 

You CAN request to be exempted from the mandate if you meet the required conditions. 
There are three typed of exemptions allowed.
  • Medical- Requires documentation from your physician.
  • Non-Medical or Religious - Requires documentation and details of religious objection.
  • Temporary Delay - Requires documentation from your physician and only serves to extend allowed timeline.
To begin the process of requesting an exemption for any of the above reasons, click here.
COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Details

Frequently Asked Questions

Lost Vaccine Card

Vaccines are available at most local pharmacies and likely, also at your regular doctor's office. If you're not sure, click here to see other locations where they are available near you. 

Where to get vaccinated

COVID-19 vaccinations are currently available for free - all you need is an appointment with a provider. Click to find a location with appointments near you.

What if I don't want to be vaccinated

You can request to be exempted for either religious or medical reasons. We are not able to waive this requirement without a completed and approved exemption fitting the requirements allowed by the federal mandate.

Please call us to discuss any concerns you may have about the mandate. We are happy to discuss possible options with you or finding ways to get answers to your questions if we are able.

Do my clients have to be vaccinated?

No.

The CMS mandate has no authority to extend to patients. We, as healthcare workers, have a duty to protect those we care for - especially as they may be more fragile and unable to receive a vaccination. We are protecting them from ourselves, as their likely source of greatest exposure.

COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Details

Do I have to get vaccinated if... 

I've had COVID-19 before and recovered?

Yes. As long as the date of your infection was more than 10 days ago, it is ok for you to get the vaccine, per CDC guidelines. Once you are clear of symptoms and illness, it is still required that you receive the vaccine within the time period allowed. 

I have COVID-19 right now?

Yes, but, not right now. Per CDC guidelines, once you are clear of symptoms and illness, it is still required that you receive the vaccine. If this means you will miss the reporting deadlines, please contact PHCS to request a Temporary Delay Exemption.

I have antibody testing that proves I've had COVID-19 before? 

Yes. There is no allowance in the rule for antibody testing to serve as proof of immunity. Everyone must provide proof of vaccination. 

I am allergic to the vaccine? 

No. However, it must be appropriately verified and documented by your primary care physician. Please contact PHCS to obtain a Medical Exemption. 

Vaccines are prohibited by my religious beliefs? 

No. However, procedure must be followed to document your objection and exemption. Please contact PHCS to obtain details on a Non-Medical Exemption. 

I don't like shots and really prefer not to get it? 

Yes. Unless you qualify for and get approved either a Medical or Non-Medical Exemption, unfortunately, it is mandatory for all agency employees to be vaccinated according to the CMS schedule provided. If there's anything we can do to make you more comfortable with this change, or you'd liked to discuss your situation further, please give us a call. We're here to help and there's sure to be a way for us to get through this together. 

I already was vaccinated in 2020 or 2021? 

Maybe... Once you have finished your "primary series" (2 shots of Moderna or Pfizer, or 1 shot of Johnson & Johnson) you are done. If you've only had one dose of a 2 dose series, you will need to get the second before you are considered "fully" vaccinated. Be sure to send a copy to PHCS to update our records. 
COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Details

Exemption Conditions - How to qualify for exemption

Medical Exemption

Certain allergies, or recognized medical conditions may provide grounds for an exemption. With regard to recognized clinical contraindications to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. In general, CDC considers a history of a severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) after a previous dose or to a component of the COVID-19 vaccine, or an immediate allergic reaction of any severity to a previous dose, or known (diagnosed) allergy to a component of the COVID-19 vaccine, to be a contraindication to vaccination with COVID-19 vaccines.

Medical exemption documentation must specify or include:

  • which authorized or licensed COVID-19 vaccine is clinically contraindicated for the staff member 
  • the recognized clinical reasons for the contraindication
  • must also include a statement from their healthcare provider recommending that the staff member be exempted from COVID-19 vaccination requirements based on the medical contraindications.
  • must be signed and dated by a licensed practitioner acting within their respective scope of practice and in accordance with all applicable State and local laws
  • the individual who signs the exemption documentation cannot be the same individual requesting the exemption.  

NOTE: This request cannot be completed online. It must be signed by your primary care physician. Please have your doctor submit a letter requesting medical exemption that meets all of the requirements listed above. 

Request Medical Exemption

Non-Medical Exemption

Requests for non-medical exemptions, such as a religious exemption in accordance with Title VII, must be documented and evaluated in accordance with each HHA’s policies and procedures. The law requires an employer reasonably accommodate an employee's religious beliefs or practices, unless doing so would cause more than a minimal burden on the operations of the employer's business.


Non-Medical exemption must specify or include: 

  • The nature of your sincerely held religious beliefs or religious practice or observance that conflict with the vaccination mandate
  • Specify the portion of the policy, that conflicts with your
    sincerely held religious observance, practice, or belief
  • What is the accommodation or modification that you are requesting that may be considered as a reasonable accommodation 

Request Non-Medical Exemption

Temporary Delay Exemption

Refers to vaccination that must be temporarily postponed, as recommended by CDC, due to clinical precautions and considerations, including, but not limited to, individuals with acute illness secondary to COVID-19, or individuals who received monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma for COVID-19 treatment in the last 90 days.


Team member must supply adequate documentation to verify that vaccination must be temporarily postponed. Documentation must include clinical precautions and considerations, including, but not limited to:

  • Verification of acute illness secondary to COVID-19, or
  • Verification of receipt or treatment with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma for COVID-19 treatment in the last 90 days.
  • Signature and date of qualified and licensed practitioner
  • Date team member may return to work  

Request Temporary Delay Exemption
COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Details

Exemption Request Form

Complete the form below to submit a request for the PHCS Admin Team requesting exemption from the CMS COVID-19 Mandate. Once received, the request will be reviewed according to the standards of the EEOC rules for Non-Discrimination of Religion and a response will be returned to you shortly. 

Remember, per the federal mandate rules, we can only permit exemptions that fit the outlined criteria as allowed. Please read the information for you chosen exemption type carefully to ensure all requirements have been met. Otherwise, we are not allowed to grant exemption outside these guidelines. 

If an exemption is granted, there may be additional precautions assigned for the protection of yourself and your clients. These may include but are not limited to: additional symptom monitoring and reporting, continued use of PPE and distancing precautions, cessation of working if signs or symptoms of illness are present, etc. 

NOTE: The mandate states the religious exemption request must be on the basis of a "sincerely held religious belief". This is not an option to circumvent the requirement by registering a general refusal.   Any exemption request not founded in a "sincerely held religious belief" may not be granted. 

Still have questions?

Just give us a call! We're here to help and will do our best to answer any questions you may have. We want to work with you in meeting this requirement in a way that makes everyone feel comfortable. Don't worry! 
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