COVID-19 will continue to be a public health priority, but due to the Administration’s tremendous efforts to mitigate COVID-19 and its unprecedented impacts, we are in a much better place than we were at the start of the pandemic. This is leading us to the official end of the Public Health Emergency (PHE) we all know as COVID-19.
What Does This Mean to You?
Despite the ending of the PHE, access to COVID-19 products such as tests, vaccines, and treatments will generally not be affected.
Most Americans will continue having no out-of-pocket costs for the vaccine, because vaccines that are recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) are a preventive health service covered by most private insurance plans. However, costs for COVID-19 treatments such as Paxlovid and Lagevrio, may change depending on the individual’s health care coverage.
For individuals with Medicaid, coverage for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments will continue to be free of charge until September 30th, 2024. Additionally, Medicaid and Medicare will continue their telehealth flexibilities for their beneficiaries until December 2024.
Individuals enrolled in Part B of Medicare, will continue to have provider-ordered, laboratory-conducted COVID-19 tests covered without costs until September 30th, 2024, but access to free over-the-counter tests will end. In addition, the requirement for private insurance companies to cover COVID-19 tests without costs will end, but coverage may continue if the plans choose to keep it included in the plan.
Free COVID-19 test kits may continue to be distributed by the U.S Government based on availability.
To protect you and your family's health make sure that you are enrolled, and re-enroll, in the appropriate insurance plans, stock up on at-home COVID test kits, and are up to date with your vaccines and boosters. Greater Bergen believes that health access and equity should be available for all individuals, and we urge everyone to take advantage of the programs and services still available to them so that they can ensure a good quality of life in the future.
For more information about the ending of the COVID-19 PHE, please see the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Transition Roadmap Fact Sheet, provided by HHS.