{"id":117625,"date":"2023-04-17T22:47:18","date_gmt":"2023-04-18T02:47:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=117625"},"modified":"2023-04-17T22:49:06","modified_gmt":"2023-04-18T02:49:06","slug":"five-things-to-know-about-the-end-of-the-covid-public-health-emergency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=117625","title":{"rendered":"Five Things to Know About the End of the COVID Public Health Emergency"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Capital Blue Cross \u2013 \u00a0THINK<\/a>\u00a0(Trusted Health Information, News, and Knowledge) is a community publication of Capital Blue Cross. Our mission is to provide education, resources, and news on the latest health and insurance issues.<\/b><\/p>\n

By: <\/span>Michael Race<\/em><\/div>\n
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The end of the COVID-19 public health emergency on May 11 will bring some changes to COVID-related coverage. Here’s what you need to know to ensure you’re getting the most from your healthcare resources.<\/div>\n
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May 11 will mark a milestone in the fight against COVID-19, bringing an official end to the federal public health emergency (PHE) that started in early 2020 when the virus began its deadly spread.<\/span><\/p>\n

So much about healthcare delivery and health plan benefits has changed since the onset of the COVID pandemic. Many healthcare consumers have found new ways to get needed care more efficiently. COVID also cast a spotlight on the importance of preventive care, specifically how vaccinations are a useful tool in slowing the spread of COVID.<\/span><\/p>\n

The end of the PHE also will bring some changes to COVID-related coverage or out-of-pocket costs. For instance, the free at-home COVID tests offered by federal health agencies no longer will be available.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are five helpful things to know as the PHE ends:<\/span><\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Telehealth remains a convenient option<\/span><\/b>\u00a0\u2013 The use of telehealth services surged after the onset of COVID. In the first three months of the pandemic alone\u00a0<\/span>telehealth claims across the nation increased by 766%<\/span><\/a>, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. With many providers and health plans offering remote services and coverage, telehealth has solidified its place as a permanent\u2014and effective\u2014healthcare option in a post-pandemic world. Capital Blue Cross already was at the forefront of the telehealth movement, offering a full range of services pre-pandemic through its VirtualCare app.\u00a0<\/span>VirtualCare<\/span><\/a>, whose use for medical care more than doubled from 2019 to 2022, is notable in that it offers access to mental wellness services \u2013 including psychiatrists, psychologists, and counselors \u2013 in addition to physicians. These mental wellness resources became particularly important during the pandemic, as many struggled with social isolation, economic hardships, and even the loss of loved ones.<\/span><\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 An ounce of prevention equals a pound of cure\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u2013 COVID vaccines and boosters are here to stay. COVID vaccinations will continue to be free for most healthcare consumers with private or government-sponsored insurance who go to in-network providers, while getting a vaccination from an out-of-network provider could result in out-of-pocket charges.<\/span><\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 COVID testing costs might change \u2013<\/span><\/b>\u00a0During the pandemic, costs for over-the-counter and lab-based COVID tests\u00a0were waived by the federal government. When the PHE expires, the cost of a COVID test will depend on your health plan \u2013 there could be shared costs, prior authorization requirements, or other factors that impact the cost. The office visit during which a test is conducted may also carry a cost depending on the health plan\u2019s benefits. Until May 11, each U.S. household may get up to\u00a0<\/span>four free at-home tests<\/span><\/a>\u00a0from the federal government.<\/span><\/p>\n

4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Know your out-of-pocket costs<\/span><\/b>\u00a0\u2013 For individual healthcare consumers, costs for certain treatments might change depending on the type of coverage you have and whether you seek treatment from a provider in your healthcare network or opt for out-of-network care. It\u2019s always a good idea to know your out-of-pocket costs beforehand and, if you have questions, contact your insurer.<\/span><\/p>\n

5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Medicaid changes<\/span><\/b>\u00a0\u2013 During the PHE, the standard federal practice of verifying people\u2019s Medicaid eligibility was put on hold, ensuring no one would lose Medicaid coverage during the pandemic. With the PHE ending, those verification rules will be reinstated and more than 15 million Medicaid beneficiaries\u2014including 6.7 million children\u2014are projected to lose coverage as states begin this \u201credetermination\u201d process.<\/span><\/p>\n

Those no longer eligible for Medicaid will need to purchase individual coverage or enroll in CHIP, Pennsylvania\u2019s Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program. Either way, Capital Blue Cross is here to help. Capital\u2019s website has information to help people find the coverage they need.<\/span><\/p>\n

While the pandemic might be over, the risk of contracting COVID remains \u2013 and it will continue to bring increased risk to vulnerable populations like the elderly or those with certain chronic medical conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Keeping up on your medical care is one way to help keep COVID at bay. Some basic things to consider:<\/span><\/p>\n