COVID19 HEALTH EMERGENCY

President Biden has announced that the COVID National Health Emergency will end on May 11, 2023. Here is how some of those changes may affect you and your families.

Covid Vaccines

Vaccines, including boosters, could begin to cost you. As long as the federally purchased vaccines last and are available, vaccines will remain free to all people, regardless of insurance coverage.

With the Affordable Care Act and other recent legislation, vaccines will remain free of charge to most people with private and public insurance even after the federal supply of vaccines is gone. For those uninsured, cost could become a challenge once the federal supply is depleted.

Covid Tests

Insurance Holders: Home Testing: Over the Counter tests could become more expensive for those who have insurance.

Health Provider Testing: Most insured people will have coverage for COVID tests ordered by a health provider, although these tests may no longer free of charge.

Traditional Medicare: Home Testing: Those with traditional Medicare will no longer receive free at home tests.

Health Provider Testing:

Through a health provider there will be no cost for the test itself, but there could be cost sharing for the associated doctor’s visit.

Private Insurance or Medicare Advantage:

Home Testing:

Those with private insurance or

Medicare Advantage will no longer be guaranteed free at home tests.

Health Provider Testing:

The test and the associated doctor’s visit may both be subject to costsharing, depending on the plan. Additionally, some insurers might begin to limit the number of covered tests or require tests be done by in-network providers.

Medicaid:

Home Testing:

Those on Medicaid will continue to receive at home tests at no cost through September 2024. After September 2024, home tests coverage will vary by state.

Health Provider Testing:

For people with Medicaid, there will continue to be free tests through September 2024, after which point, states may limit the number of covered tests or impose nominal cost-sharing.

Covid Treatment

People with public coverage may start to face more cost sharing for pharmaceutical COVID treatments.

Telemedicine

After May 11th, providers writing prescriptions for controlled substances via telemedicine will be required to maintain in-person visits.

Trailer Bridge Sponsors Birthdays for Two Special Kids

As part of our community outreach efforts, TBGives works with Dreams Come True Jacksonville to sponsor birthdays for local kids living with life-threatening illnesses. This month, Trailer Bridge made sure Yulianna and Cruz had everything they needed for birthdays full of cheer.