Intermountain caregivers and partners who work in our facilities have been working toward compliance with federal COVID-19 vaccine regulations released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and Safer Federal Workforce Task Force (federal contractors). On November 30, a federal court issued a nationwide stay for the CMS regulation, meaning the mandate has been put on hold and is currently not enforceable against any healthcare providers, including us, until further review by the appellate courts. There’s also pending litigation on the Federal Contractor mandate, including a case that involves Utah and Idaho.
Because of these developments, Intermountain is temporarily pausing enforcement of the COVID-19 vaccine requirement until we have clearer direction from the courts. If you don’t have a vaccine record on file or an approved exemption by December 5, you won’t be suspended and can continue to work.
While enforcement of the requirement is temporarily paused, caregivers are still asked to get vaccinated and share vaccine documentation through the consent link, or submit a medical or religious exemption. More information about these processes can be found on the COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement website. If the stay is overturned, we may be required to immediately enforce the vaccine requirement. To date, 95% of caregivers—over 40,000 people—have complied with the requirement.
“The evolving guidance and legal challenges over the past month have been frustrating and difficult,” says Mark Briesacher, MD, chief physician executive. “We’ll continue to keep you informed of any significant changes in federal regulations that may modify our response. Thank you for your patience, understanding, and your unwavering commitment to our mission, our patients, and each other.”
If you have any additional questions about this change, please speak with your supervisor or contact Ask HR at 801-442-7547 or askhr@imail.org.