Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
The Federal COVID Health Emergency Is Over. What Happens Now?
Pfizer's Paxlovid is used as treatment for COVID-19.
(
Joe Raedle
/
Getty Images
)
On May 11, the U.S. COVID-19 public health emergency expires. A separate national emergency was also set to expire, but was rescinded early by President Biden.
Local public health emergencies in California and Los Angeles County have already been rolled back.
What changes when the public health emergency ends?
Congress has denied the Biden administration's requests to fund more COVID tests and vaccines, so the portion that affects most Americans has already been curtailed. When existing supplies already paid for with federal dollars run out they will not be replaced.
Support for LAist comes from
Treatments and vaccines still free
If you test positive for COVID after May 11, you’ll still be able to get free treatments such as Paxlovid as long as the federal government’s supply lasts. After that, it depends on which state you live in.
Most health plans in California will continue to cover treatments until Nov. 11 (more on that below) while those with Medicare will face out of pocket costs, depending on their health plan. How much you’ll pay for antivirals will depend on what type of health insurance coverage you have.
COVID vaccines will still be free. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months and older receive the bivalent vaccine, which protects against circulating omicron variants. People 65 and older and those with compromised immune systems can get a second dose.
Why California is different
State lawmakers effectively added six months to the federal public health emergency. That means health plans regulated by the California Department of Managed Health Care are required to continue to pay for COVID tests, vaccines, and treatment, both in and out of network without prior authorization or cost-sharing.
Support for LAist comes from
Enrollee cost-sharing includes co-pays, co-insurance, deductibles or other enrollee out-of-pocket costs not including health plan premiums. This includes health coverage many get from their employers, as well as plans managed by Medi-Cal and Covered California. After it expires Nov. 11, most insured people in California will only have cost-sharing if those services are provided out of network.
What about other health plans?
Some health plans aren’t managed by DMHC, such as Medicare. For Medicare Advantage members in California starting on May 12, 2023:
- COVID vaccines will continue to be covered at no cost.
- COVID PCR testing (which requires a specimen or swab be sent to a lab) will be covered but you’ll pay out-of-pocket costs. The amount depends on your plan.
- At home COVID test coverage expires and will no longer be covered.
- COVID treatment will be covered with applicable plan out-of-pocket costs.
- Any COVID related out-of-network services such as testing, vaccines, and treatment will only be covered in emergency or urgent care situations or when out-of-network coverage is included in your plan.
I live in California. What should I do if I receive a charge or bill for a COVID-19 test, vaccine or treatment?
Here’s the advice from the California Department of Public Health:
If you have health coverage through a health plan and receive a charge or bill related to the coverage or administration of a qualifying COVID-19 test, vaccine or treatment, you should first contact your health plan to file a grievance, sometimes called an appeal, and include a copy of the bill. The health plan will review the grievance and should ensure you are not charged or are reimbursed if you already paid a bill.
If you do not agree with your health plan’s response or if the plan takes more than 30 days to fix the problem, you should contact the DMHC Help Center or call 1-888-466-2219.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist