By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
In its three-plus years, the COVID pandemic killed 403 residents of Wood County. A total of 39,101 cases were reported, and 1,225 people were hospitalized in the county.
During the past year, the number of new cases have continued dropping, according to Wood County Health Commissioner Ben Robison.
The masks that were mandatory and commonplace for a period are now optional and rare. People dine inside, go to movie theaters and gather for weddings and funerals.
And at midnight, the federal public health emergency of COVID-19 ends.
Robison said it’s time.
“The timing is great,” he said Thursday afternoon. “We haven’t seen the same severity of outcomes since February 2022. It makes sense.”
The Wood County Health Department can now stop tracking community transmission of COVID. That responsibility has been transferred to hospitals.
But healthy habits die hard. “We likely will monitor” the numbers, Robison said.
“We will transition away from COVID response, which has been happening for more than a year.”
The public will see some changes with the federal emergency expiring, Robison said. Health insurance providers no longer have to provide customers with eight free COVID test kits a month. But Robison said the health department will continue offering free tests and free vaccines.
“We’ll give free COVID tests as long as we can,” he said. “Vaccines will be free as long as the federal supply remains available.”
On Thursday evening, Robison reviewed some items that will change and some that will remain the same as the federal emergency is declared over.
Vaccines
Changes
- Private plans/issuers are no longer required to cover COVID-19 vaccines without cost-sharing even when out-of-network.
- Temporary Medicaid option to provide uninsured with free COVID-19 vaccines ends.
- 100% federal Medicaid matching payments for vaccine administration end after September 2024, then regular match.
Remains same
- As long as federally purchased vaccines last, COVID-19 vaccines will remain free to all.
- After supply is gone, due to the Affordable Care Act, as well as CARES, ARPA, and IRA, vaccines will continue to be free to almost everyone with private and public insurance (though those with private insurance may face cost-sharing out-of-network).
At home tests
Changes
- End of eight free tests per month for those with private insurance and Medicare (insurers, including Medicare Advantage plans, may choose to cover home tests, although traditional Medicare cannot).
- People on Medicaid will continue to receive free tests through September 2024 (due to ARPA); then coverage is variable by state.
- Temporary Medicaid option to provide uninsured with free COVID-19 tests ends.
Remains same
- The uninsured in most states were already having to pay for at-home tests unless they were able to access federally purchased tests (no one can be charged for federally purchased tests).
- Ohio Department of Health and Wood County Health Department will continue to make free tests available for the foreseeable future.
COVID-19 PCR/Provider-Ordered Tests
Changes
- Although most insured people will still have coverage for COVID tests ordered or administered by a health professional, they may face cost-sharing for tests or testing-related services and there could be new limits.
- People on Medicaid will continue to receive free tests with no-cost sharing through September 2024, then cost-sharing variable by state.
- Temporary Medicaid option to provide uninsured with free COVID-19 tests ends.
Remains same
- Traditional Medicare beneficiaries will continue to receive provider ordered tests at no-cost (though there may be cost-sharing for visit).
- The uninsured in most states were already having to pay for tests unless they were able to access federally purchased tests (no one can be charged for federally purchased tests).
COVID treatments
- Any treatment doses of drugs like Paxlovid purchased by the federal government are still free to all, regardless of insurance coverage.
Telemedicine
- Medicare beneficiaries will have access to expanded telehealth coverage through Dec. 31, 2024.
Data reporting requirements
- HHS will no longer have authority to require reporting of COVID-19 laboratory data after May 11, 2023, as specified in the CARES Act. (CDC is also working to update all Data Use Agreements for COVID-19 vaccination data).
Nutrition benefits changes
- Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) for childcare ends May 11, 2023. States may continue for school kids through Sept. 30, 2023, and the CAA established a permanent summer EBT program.
- Child and Adult Care Food Program for young adults in shelters ends May 11, 2023.
- College Student SNAP benefits end after June 9, 2023, 30 days after the end of PHE.
Data reporting requirements
- CMS will end the requirement that hospitals report COVID-19 data after April 30, 2024.
FEMA COVID-19 funeral assistance
- Assistance for individuals extended through Sept. 30, 2025.
