HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnd of Public Health Emergency InformationM
End of
COVID-19
Public Health
Emergency
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
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government announced that the
1 Public Health Emergency (PHE)
will end on May 11th, 2023.
Given that the end of the PHE is likely to impact clients, it is important for client -facing staff to be prepared.
What is a Public Health Emergency?
A PHE declaration is issued by the government when an infectious disease or disorder presents a threat to the public. The
declaration allows the government to move money quickly, start new government programs, or change existing government
programs to protect the public's health and wellbeing.
The U.S. government has issued two PHE declarations since the COVID-19 pandemic started in December of 2019. These
declarations did things like rapidly increase money for vaccine research, provide free vaccines to people in the U.S., and pay
for COVID-19-related medical care. The declarations also increased federal food benefits and allowed people to stay enrolled
in Medicaid without having to go through the normal re -enrollment process.
Why is the PHE ending?
The government has decided to end the PHE because there have been many advances in preventing and treating COVID-19.
The ending of the emergency does not mean that COVID-19 is no longer a health risk. COVID-19 continues to impact
people's health in serious and sometimes fatal ways. Instead, the end of the PHE means that certain federal supports and
rules will change.
What does the end of the Public Health Emergency
mean for clients and how can I be prepared?
The ending of the PHE will cause many changes. There are four changes that are important to highlight with clients:
2
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Changes to COVID Vaccine and
Testing Coverage
During the PH E, COVID vaccines and tests were free. This included free COVID-19 at-home tests. The federal government
will stop paying for vaccines and tests after the emergency ends. Most health insurance plans—including Medicaid—should
still cover the costs of vaccines and testing. If someone does not have health insurance, they may be able to get testing and
vaccines for free or at a reduced cost at public health or community health clinic if they meet certain requirements including
being below a certain income. There also may be a limited supply of free vaccines and tests that are offered occasionally
through other government programs.
RECOMMENDATIONS
GET VACCINATED WHILE IT IS FREE!
Encourage clients to get their COVID-19 vaccines and or boosters while they are free. Most pharmacies and public health clinics offer
COVID vaccines. Many accept walk-in clients.
ORDER TESTS WHILE THEY ARE FREE!
Every U.S. household can order four free at-home COVID-19 test kits. Encourage clients to:
Order them online at https://www.covid.gov/tests. You can also call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) for assistance in more
than 150 languages.
Get free tests at a local pharmacy. People with medical insurance, including Medicaid, can get free tests through most pharmacies
until the PHE ends. Each person in the household can get a certain number of free tests per month. Encourage clients to go to
their local pharmacy, give them their insurance card, and ask them if COVID tests are covered under their insurance. If they are,
encourage clients to ask them how many they may have per person and then order this amount. Clients can do this each month
until May 11, 2023.
1
Changes to COVID Medical Care
Coverage
During the PH E, treatment for the COVID-19 virus was free to everyone regardless of whether they had insurance. After
the PHE ends, what costs are covered will depend on insurance coverage. If someone does not have insurance, they may
be able to get free or reduced care at some community health clinics if they meet certain requirements like being below a
certain income. People who are treated for COVID-19 in the emergency room or hospital may qualify for special medical care
coverage programs, but it will depend on the hospital and on eligibility.
RECOMMENDATIONS
HAVE A LANDSCAPE MAP
Make sure your program site has an up-to-date resource list of medical clinics that offer free and sliding scale fee care so you can
make appropriate referrals. Be sure to map the 4 -W's: Who (name of agency), What (what specific services they provide and to whom/
eligibility), Where (address, nearby bus lines), When (days and times they are open).
GET VACCINATED
Encourage clients to protect themselves against serious illness from COVID-19 by being vaccinated and up to date on their booster
shots. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and have been proven to greatly reduce serious illness and death from COVID-19.
• COVID-19 Information for Newcomers —A booklet highlighting the most important information about COVID-19 for newcomers to
the US. Available in 14 languages.
• Get Vaccinated Campaign — Posters, social media messaging, and other materials in 40 languages encouraging COVID-19
vaccination.
• Get the Facts Campaign — Also available in 40 languages, this campaign includes resources about COVID-19 vaccines and
boosters, and important information on vaccines for children and people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
WEAR A MASK
Even if vaccinated, people should consider wearing a mask while in crowded public spaces or public indoor locations. People who are
elderly or who have compromised immune systems should consider wearing a mask when indoors with others.
• Wearing a Mask — Fact sheet in 39 languages about wearing a mask.
4!
Conversation Guide: Wearing a Mask — Answers to common questions about masking that center immigrant and refugee
perspectives.
WASH YOUR HANDS
Washing hands frequently and thoroughly helps prevent the spread of germs that cause illness. People should wash their hands with
soap and water for at least 20 seconds before touching their eyes, nose, or mouth; after touching their mask; after leaving a public
place; and after touching objects or surfaces that may be frequently touched by others.
• Wash Your Hands — A printout or poster on how to correctly wash your hands in English, Dari, Pashto, and Urdu. Additional CDC
Is in numerous other languages.
• Handwashing instructions — Bilingual handouts on how to wash your hands correctly and when and how to use hand sanitizer in
Arabic, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, French, Hindi, Nepali, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
Medicaid Renewal or Re -enrollment
During the PHE people on Medicaid were automatically re -enrolled at the end of their coverage period without having to show
that they were still eligible. When the Public Health Emergency ends, states will return to pre -pandemic operations
and review eligibility to continue Medicaid benefits. If people on Medicaid do not respond to renewal or reenrollment notices in
a timely manner, they may lose their Medicaid coverage and need to make additional efforts to have it reinstated.
RECOMMENDATIONS
UPDATE CONTACT INFORMATION
Encourage clients to make sure their state Medicaid agency has up-to-date contact information including a correct address and phone
number. This will help ensure clients do not miss important notices about their coverage including when it is time to renew.
PAY ATTENTION TO THE MAIL
Urge clients to pay attention to any mail or messages they receive from the state agency that manages Medicaid. Staff may want to
consider giving clients a printout of the agency's logo so they can look for this logo in the mail.
V EDUCATE ON NEXT STEPS
Teach clients about the next steps they can take if they receive a notice or renewal. This includes letting clients know if they can reach
out to your agency if they have questions regarding benefit renewal or need support.
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Changes to Food Benefits
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a government program that helps people below a certain income buy
food. During the PHE, the U.S. government put more money into SNAP, which meant people on SNAP received more money
for food. In February, many states reduced their SNAP benefits to pre -pandemic levels. By the end of March, all U.S. states are
expected to reduce SNAP benefits. How much benefits will be reduced will vary, but on average it is expected to be about a
$90 a month reduction per person.
RECOMMENDATIONS
CONNECT CLIENTS TO THEIR LOCAL FOOD BANK
Most U.S. cities have food banks that support individuals and families with supplemental food. Make sure your agency has an up-to-
date resource list of food banks so staff can make appropriate referrals. Be sure to map the 4 -W's: Who (name of agency), What (what
services they provide; how often, who is eligible), Where (address, nearby bus lines), When (days and times they are open). Staff can
support clients in finding their local food bank by entering their zip code at https://foodfinder.us/.
V HELP CLIENTS MAKE THEIR SNAP BENEFITS GO FURTHER
25 states offer Double Up Food Bucks, which provide a dollar -for -dollar match to SNAP benefits for fruits and vegetables. Staff can
find out if a state is participating at https://doubleupamerica.org/. If a state is not participating, the site will show what programs
are available in that state. Staff may also do an Internet search by entering their geographic area coupled with terms like "SNAP
Match", "WIC;' and "FMNP match" (for seniors).
V HELP CLIENTS FIND OUT IF THEY QUALIFY FOR ADDITIONAL FOOD PROGRAMS
There are many types of food programs like WIC Nutrition program for Women, Infants and Children, free and
reduced -price meals for school children, and senior meal programs. Staff can help clients explore additional nutrition resources by
connecting them to their local public benefits agency, calling 2-1-1, or calling the national hunger hotline at 1 -866 -3 -HUNGRY
or 1-877-8-HAMBRE.
0 NRC -RIM
National Resource Center for
Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants
Key Messages
End of the Public Health
Emergency (PHE)
• On May 11, 2023, the public health emergency will expire. Public health emergencies allow
the government to spend money quickly and develop new programs to support the public's
well being.
• Even though the public health emergency is ending, COVID-19 is still a dangerous illness.
o As of March 2023, more than 300 people were dying every day in the United States,
and many more were becoming seriously ill.
o COVID-19 can also disrupt you and your family's routines, preventing people from
going to work or school.
• When the public health emergency ends, many people will see changes in their healthcare
costs, insurance coverage and renewals, and food benefits.
o You may have to pay for COVID-19 tests and vaccines. During the Public Health
Emergency, COVID-19 vaccines and tests were free. After May 11, the cost of tests
and vaccines will depend on your health insurance.
o You may have to pay for COVID-19 treatments if you get sick. During the Public
Health Emergency, treatment for the COVID-19 virus was free. After May 11, the cost
of treatment will depend on your health insurance.
o In some cases, tests, treatments and vaccines will be free for a few months, because
the federal government already purchased them for patients. However, when the
government runs out of free supplies, these services will cost money.
o If you have Medicaid, you will have to prove you are eligible every year. During the
Public Health Emergency, people who had health insurance through Medicaid were
automatically re -enrolled each year. After March 31, people will need to prove they are
eligible for Medicaid every year to keep using Medicaid health insurance.
o If you use SNAP, you may receive less money for food from the government.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a government program that
helps people buy food. During the Public Health Emergency, the government gave
these families extra food money. Some people have already stopped receiving this
extra money, depending on where they live. By the end of March, all families will stop
receiving extra money.
The National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants (NRC- RIM) is funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to
support state and local health departments working with RIM communities. Learn more at nrcrim.org. Last updated 30 Mar 2023.
0 NRC -RIM End of the Public Health
National Resource Center for
Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants Emergency (PHE)
• There are steps you can take before the PHE ends to protect yourself and your community
from COVID-19.
o Get up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccines before May 11, while they are still free.
Being up-to-date means getting both doses of a two -shot vaccine, and then getting
any recommended booster shots.
o Stock up on at-home COVID-19 tests before May 11. People are testing regardless of
whether they are vaccinated and regardless of whether they feel sick because it
makes our communities safer.
■ Order free COVID-19 tests from the government before May 11. A total of four
tests per residential address can be ordered at no cost. Order tests online at
https-Hspecial.usps.com/testkits, or call 1-800-232-0233 to order tests in
more than 150 languages.
■ If you have medical insurance, including Medicaid, you can get free COVID-19
tests at most pharmacies through May 11. Go to your local pharmacy, give
them your insurance card, and ask them if COVID-19 tests are covered under
your insurance.
• There are steps you can take after the PHE ends to protect yourself and your community
from COVID-19.
o It is important to stay up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccines, even after May 11.
Look for community health clinics and other healthcare providers that offer free or
reduced -cost healthcare services.
o Use routine medical exams as well as any exams related to refugee status (e.g.
domestic health assessment) as opportunities to make sure you are up-to-date on
COVID-19 vaccines and have enough COVID-19 tests at home.
o If you get sick with COVID-19 after May 11, do not delay treatment. Even if you have
to pay for medicine, your healthcare costs will be much higher if you wait too long
and require hospitalization.
o Practicing social distancing, avoiding gatherings with many people, staying home
when you are sick, wearing a mask, and washing your hands frequently are other
ways to keep yourself and others safe.
The National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants (NRC- RIM) is funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to
support state and local health departments working with RIM communities. Learn more at nrcrim.org. Last updated 30 Mar 2023.
0 NRC -RIM End of the Public Health
National Resource Center for
Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants Emergency (PHE)
• After the PHE ends, it is important for you to continue to receive medical care. If you have
Medicaid:
o Make sure your local public benefits agency has your most up-to-date contact
information including your correct address and phone number.
o Pay attention to any mail or messages you receive from the local government agency
that manages Medicaid. If you receive a notice, act on it right away.
• There are many options for people who need help paying for food:
• Contact your local food bank by visiting https://foodfinder.us/ and entering your zip
code
• Some states have programs that let you buy more fresh fruits and vegetables with
your SNAP benefits. Visit https://doubleupamerica.org/ for more information.
• Ask your child's school if there are free and reduced -price meals available.
• Call 2-1-1, or 1 -866 -3 -HUNGRY, or ask your resettlement case manager about other
food resources.
Sources:
• KFF: Commercialization of COV ID -19 Vaccines, Treatments, and Tests: Implications for Access and Coverage
• KFF: The End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency: Details on Health Coverage and Access
• USDA: Recent Changes to SNAP Benefit Amounts
• HHS: COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Transition Roadmap
• HHS: Commercialization of COVID-19 Medical Countermeasures
• HHS: FAQ: Commercialization
• ECFR: Refugee Medical Assistance
• CMS: Waivers. Flexibilities, and the Transition Forward from the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
• NPHIC: What Comes Next When the COVID Public Health Emergency Ends?
The National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants (NRC- RIM) is funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to
support state and local health departments working with RIM communities. Learn more at nrcrim.org. Last updated 30 Mar 2023.