Headline:
Many of the PHE policies for Medicaid and Medicare recipients are still in place even after the PHE expired.
Last-reviewed: 8am, May 26, 2023
Key Resources:
The Basics
- The CDC has updates (en Español) on the latest information about communicable diseases, workplace safety, environmental health, personal safety and healthy living.
The Breakdown
- Insurance: Open enrollment has ended, but care teams can still direct people who have experienced certain life events to enroll at HealthCare.gov (en Español).
- Medicaid: All Medicaid recipients should be prepared to recertify, and if their eligibility has changed, they should be prepared for a decrease or termination of coverage. Care teams can prepare for the end of the PHE by reviewing this guidance and helping people get the documents they will need to recertify.
- Medicare: Many PHE Medicare changes have become permanent. This includes coverage of most COVID-19 tests, vaccines, and treatments. It also includes most telehealth coverage, including behavioral and mental health appointments. Care teams can use this guidance to better understand the current policies.
- Health Centers: Nationwide, Federally Qualified Health Centers provide health care to those who are uninsured and underinsured. Care teams can help people find a FQHC in their area.
- Veterans: Veterans who are having difficulty affording their copays may qualify for financial hardship assistance. Care teams can help them collect their financial information and use it to apply online.
- Hearing Aids: Some hearing aids are now available without a medical exam, prescription or adjustment by an audiologist. Care teams can share information about reducing costs by purchasing over-the counter hearing aids.
- Reproductive Rights: Abortion is now illegal or heavily restricted in many states. However, protects still exist for contraception and sensitive health information continues to be protected. Care teams can refer people to www.reproductiverights.org for reproductive health resources.
Spotlight on safety planning:
Emergencies arise at all hours of the day. Care teams cannot be available 24/7, but they can include emergency hotlines to all of the people they serve so that they are prepared for an after-hours crisis.
- Call or text 911 for emergency response
- Call or text 988 to speak with a trained counselor when in emotional distress or suicide crisis. Translation services are only available by voice.
- New and expecting birthing parents who are experiencing a mental health crisis can call or text 1-833-943-5746 for assistance in either English or Spanish.
The Bottom Line
- Care teams can support people by making sure the people they serve are prepared for a health crisis. This can include enrolling in insurance, finding free or reduced-cost services, and providing contact information for emergency hotlines.
