These 30 states have allowed or announced plans to allow healthcare providers to resume elective surgeries.
Note: This is an evolving situation and this is not an exhaustive list. Becker's will update the list as other states announce plans to resume elective surgeries.
April 21
Indiana: As part of a revised stay-at-home order, Gov. Eric J. Holcomb loosened restrictions on elective surgeries, stating that hospitals can conduct medically necessary procedures, including determining cancer diagnoses and cardiac issues, provided sufficient personal protective equipment, staff and other supplies are available for the COVID-19 response.
April 24
Mississippi: Healthcare providers can resume performing non-emergent, elective medical procedures, in line with certain guidelines.
April 26
Colorado: Healthcare providers can resume all voluntary or elective procedures, defined as those that can be delayed for a minimum of three months "without undue risk to the current or future health of the patient."
April 22
Utah: The state allowed hospitals to begin performing some elective proceduresin accordance with guidelines established in consultation with the Utah Hospital Association, Utah Medical Association, Utah Dental Association and other medical providers.
Texas: Gov. Greg Abbott loosened restrictions on elective surgeries in the state, allowing facilities to perform them if they can do so without depleting hospital capacity of personal protective equipment supply needed to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ohio: The state issued an order directing healthcare professionals to review any postponed procedures or surgeries with their patients and make a joint decision about whether or not to proceed. "Resuming elective surgeries and procedures will take clinical judgment, and we will rely on our healthcare providers to make responsible decisions as we move forward," said Gov. Mike DeWine.
California: Gov. Gavin Newsom allowed hospitals to resume nonemergency surgeries and procedures, including tumor removal, heart valve replacements and important preventive care services such as colonoscopies.
April 24
Oklahoma: Gov. Kevin Stitt will allow any procedure for conditions that are not life-threatening — and which would have the potential for increasing disease or death if not provided — to be performed..
April 27
Arkansas: Healthcare providers will resume certain nonessential outpatient procedures in accordance with certain requirements issued by Arkansas Health Department.
Iowa: Healthcare organizations can begin performing some elective surgeries and procedures if they meet certain requirements, including reserving at least 30 percent of intensive care unit beds and 30 percent of medical/surgical beds for COVID-19 patients.
Pennsylvania: Hospitals may begin performing elective surgeries and procedures if the hospital is able to do so without jeopardizing the safety of patients and staff or the hospital's ability to respond to the COVID19 pandemic.
Louisiana: The state eased restrictions on medical and surgical procedures. Previously, only surgeries for emergency medical conditions was allowed. Per a revised order from the state's department of health, healthcare organizations can perform procedures "to avoid further harms from an underlying condition or disease, and for time-sensitive conditions."
Kentucky: Healthcare practitioners can resume non-urgent services, diagnostic radiology and lab services in hospital outpatient settings, clinics, medical offices, physical therapy settings, chiropractic offices and dental offices.
April 28
New York: Some hospitals may resume elective outpatient procedures, provided they maintain adequate bed capacity for the COVID-19 response. Only hospitals in counties with fewer than 10 new hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients in 10 days will be allowed to resume these surgeries.
West Virginia: Healthcare providers that have applied to the state's Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification and received approval may resume elective surgeries.
April 29
Washington: Healthcare organizations may resume some elective or nonurgent procedures after a new guidance was issued stating that providers should use clinical judgment to determine whether to perform these procedures, weighing the potential harm to patients if the procedures were deferred. There are also certain prerequisites to performing these surgeries, including ensuring the healthcare organization has an adequate supply of personal protective equipment.
April 30
Tennessee: The executive order mandating healthcare providers postpose elective or nonurgent surgeries is set to expire at the end of the month, allowing providers to resume these procedures.
Alabama: Hospitals and other healthcare organizations may begin performing procedures for non-emergency medical conditions once the state's stay-at-home order lifts.
May 1
Arizona: Healthcare providers in the state can resume elective surgeries if they can show they have implemented certain measures, including having a more than 14-day supply of protective gear and ensuring adequate staffing and beds.
Oregon: Hospitals and other healthcare facilities meeting certain requirements for COVID-19 safety and preparedness will be able to resume nonurgent procedures.
Virginia: The state's ban on elective surgeries was set to expire April 24, but has been extended.
Illinois: Hospitals and surgery centers will be allowed to resume certain elective surgeries for non-life-threatening conditions, provided they meet specific criteria, including proper personal protective equipment, ensuring enough overall space for COVID-19 patients remains available and testing of elective surgery patients to ensure they do not have COVID-19.
May 4
Alaska: Gov. Mike Dunleavy issued an order allowing health care services that cannot be delayed beyond eight weeks without posing a significant risk to quality of life to may resume.
Nebraska: Elective surgeries can resume as long as hospitals and healthcare facilities meet requirements for available bed capacity and have adequate supplies of personal protective equipment.
Florida: Hospitals will be allowed to resume elective surgeries, provided they have enough space and adequate personal protective equipment if there was a sudden surge of COVID-19 cases in the state, Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a media briefing May 3.
May 7
Maryland: Licensed healthcare facilities and healthcare providers may resume elective and non-urgent medical procedures and appointments provided certain measures are in place, including having at least one week's supply of personal protective equipment.
May 10
Minnesota: Hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers and clinics can resume certain procedures that were initially delayed, provided they meet certain requirements.
May 15
Vermont: The state's healthcare providers will be allowed to return to performing nonessential or elective procedures.
May 18
Washington: Healthcare providers in the state can begin performing elective procedures once the state's order banning these procedures expires.
May 31
South Dakota: Healthcare providers will be allowed to begin performing nonessential, elective surgeries, which they have been asked to postpone to preserve personal protective equipment.
Editor's note: Additional states were added to this listing 10:15 a.m. CT April 24; 9:30 a.m. CT April 27; 9:25 a.m. CT April 28; 9:15 a.m. CT April 30; 9:22 a.m. May 4; and 10:00 a.m. CT May 14.