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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnd of Public Health Emergency InformationM End of COVID-19 Public Health Emergency WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW �r 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 Ad 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. - a3 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.