On May 11, 2023 the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) is set to expire. As your trusted healthcare provider, we want to make you aware of how this may impact you.
Vaccination Recommendation
Christie Clinic follows the CDC vaccination recommendations which include the following:
- CDC’s new recommendations allow an additional updated (bivalent) vaccine dose for adults ages 65 years and older and additional doses for people who are immunocompromised. This allows more flexibility for healthcare providers to administer additional doses to immunocompromised patients as needed.
- Monovalent (original) mRNA COVID-19 vaccines will no longer be recommended for use in the United States.
- CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 years and older receive an updated (bivalent) mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of whether they previously completed their (monovalent) primary series.
- Individuals ages 6 years and older who have already received an updated mRNA vaccine do not need to take any action unless they are 65 years or older or immunocompromised.
- For young children, multiple doses continue to be recommended and will vary by age, vaccine, and which vaccines were previously received.
Christie Clinic patients interested in receiving the vaccine can do so at their primary care provider's office during a scheduled appointment.
Vaccine, Treatment & Testing for Patients with Medicare
Individuals with Medicare coverage will continue to have access to COVID-19 vaccinations without out-of-pocket costs after the end of the PHE. There is no change in Medicare coverage of treatments for those exposed to COVID-19 once the PHE ends, and in cases where cost sharing and deductibles apply now, they will continue to apply. Generally, the end of the COVID-19 PHE does not change access to oral antivirals.
Those with Traditional Medicare can continue to receive COVID-19 PCR and antigen tests with no cost-sharing when the test is ordered by a physician or certain other healthcare providers and performed by a laboratory.
Those enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans can continue to receive COVID-19 PCR and antigen tests when the test is covered by Medicare, but their cost-sharing may change when the COVID-19 PHE ends.
Vaccine, Treatment & Testing for Patients with Commercial Insurance
For patients with commercial insurance, coverage for COVID-19 testing will change. The requirement for private insurance companies to cover COVID-19 tests without cost sharing, both over-the-counter (OTC) and laboratory tests, will end and individuals should reach out to their insurance provider for details. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) program will continue no-cost testing for uninsured persons, though there may be a reduction in testing locations after the PHE ends. Individuals can find a no-cost testing location by visiting https://testinglocator.cdc.gov/Search.
Telehealth
Telehealth services, both Video and Audio-Only will continue for most insurance companies in their current form through the end of the year. To verify your specific telehealth benefits, please contact your insurance provider.