Free vaccines, at-home tests, and more ending May 11
EDITOR’s NOTES: You may have already heard about this change in obtaining help with your COVID vaccines and more but we wanted to make sure it was made public, here in Lyons, and the information can be obtained in the future by doing a ‘search.’ Plus, this will give you time to get your final 4th vaccine, and some free at-home Covid tests.
COVID – federal government EMERGENCY DECLARATION ENDING MAY 11
The following will no longer be free through the government to the general public:
…Free Vaccines
…Free at-home Covid tests
…8 free covid tests from your insurance company
EXCEPTIONS:
The Affordable Care Act plans will still provide free vaccines (as of this date; check for updates).
Some states may extend the free at-home tests for about a year under the American Rescue Plan Act.
There are no plans to ship more free at-home tests to homes beyond those currently offered.
PCR test costs will vary depending on the situation
Most private insurers will continue to cover the cost of PCR, or laboratory, tests administered by in-network providers.
These may required a doctor’s orders, which will probably incur an office visit charge.
There may be some clinics with left-over tests that were originally purchased by the federal government, or are administered free through a clinic or a community health center. Call and check before you schedule an appointment.
Paxlovid and other antiviral treatments
Oral antivirals that have been purchased by the federal government will remain free to everyone until the national supply runs out, regardless of when the public health emergency ends. That includes Paxlovid, the go-to treatment for people with mild to moderate Covid at high risk of severe disease (such as for seniors).
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The Biden administration denounced House Republican efforts to vote on bills in February aimed at ending the emergency declarations immediately. The White House argued that doing so would “create wide-ranging chaos and uncertainty” throughout the health-care system and disrupt the orderly wind-down the administration had envisioned. Biden had also promised governors that he would give them 60 days notice of ending the emergency. The Republicans have four other bills they are working on to end Covid spending.
DISCLAIMER: This information was obtained from News Releases issued. It does not substitute for patients calling their medical office or insurance provider for details on coverage and costs. Plus, this is based on the initial announcement, and things may change before or after May 11th deadline.
Free Vaccine Clinic in Lyons
FREE COVID VACCINES in LYONS == April 6, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Walt Self Community Building (next door to post office). NO Reservations required. Free. Offered by Boulder County Public Health, and Bo Co Area Agency on Aging. == Pfizer Primary/Monvalent (12 yrs+) // Pfizer Booster/Bivalent (12 yrs+) // Moderna Booster/Bivalent (6 yrs+).
