In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control issued guidance on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in health care delivery.  This guidance included implementing universal use of PPE, including increased use of masks, gloves, and eye protection, by the patient and provider to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. 

Increased demand for PPE led to global supply chains being overwhelmed since the COVID-19 pandemic began.  This resulted in shortages and price increases of PPE.

For the duration of the federal public health state of emergency related to COVID-19, a health benefit plan must reimburse a health care provider who bills for incurred PPE expenses as a separate expense, using the American Medical Association's current procedural terminology code 99072, or as subsequently amended, $6.57 for each individual patient encounter.  This act is not intended to apply to health care services not provided in person.

Enrollee cost sharing is limited to the covered service according to the terms and conditions of the health benefit plan and does not apply to an expense for PPE.

This act expires upon the termination of the federal public health state emergency related to COVID-19 as declared by the United States Department of Health and Human Services.