Frederick County Health Department Prepares For End Of Federal Public Health Emergency

Covid-19 vaccines will no longer be provided by the Frederick County Health Department.FREDERICK, MD (From Frederick County Health Department) – The Frederick County Health Department (FCHD) is preparing for the end of the federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) declaration for COVID-19 on May 11, 2023, as well as the termination of other national COVID-19 related measures over the next several months. The end of the PHE and other national measures will affect resources and programs locally. Below are changes that you can expect as well as links to resources.Local UpdatesFCHD Operations:COVID-19 vaccines will be available through the end of June, 2023 by appointment only. Appointments can be made at https://frederickcountymd.gov/COVIDVaccineBeginning July 1, 2023, FCHD will only provide COVID-19 vaccinations for children under five years of age due to limited opportunities to vaccinate this age group in our community. Additionally, FCHD will no longer be able to provide COVID-19 community vaccination clinics. Other vaccination clinics can be found at Vaccines.gov.Home test kits will continue to be available for pick up by community members at the Frederick County Public Libraries and the health department main location at 350 Montevue Lane while supplies last.FCHD will no longer provide COVID-19 data at the local level. For updates on COVID-19 data, please visit the Maryland Department of Health’s new COVID-19 data page or the CDC. Data metrics will continue to be updated weekly in alignment with other public health reporting.State UpdatesThe MDGOVAX Call Center Services has transitioned to 2-1-1 Maryland. Marylanders can receive information and referrals regarding COVID-19 resources by calling 2-1-1 or texting your zip code to 898 211. STOP to end.Starting in April 2023, Maryland began reviewing Medicaid eligibility again. Review of everyone’s eligibility will take place over the next 12 months, even though not everyone will get their coverage renewed this year. It’s very important for anyone who has Medicaid or Health Choice insurance to notify their insurance provider of any change in address or phone number since they first applied. Learn more here.What you need to do:Log in to your account at MarylandHealthConnection.gov and update your contact information.Watch for mail and email communications from Maryland Health Connection. When you get your notice to review your policy, you will have 45 days to respond.Review your Medicaid eligibility and get renewed or enroll in an affordable qualified health plan through the Maryland Health Connection.For more information or help navigating the review process, contact the Frederick County Health Department at 301-600-3124.National UpdatesCoverage for COVID-19 testing:Medicare beneficiaries who are enrolled in Part B will continue to have coverage without cost sharing for laboratory-conducted COVID-19 tests when ordered by a provider, but their current access to free over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 tests will end.The requirement for private insurance companies to cover COVID-19 tests without cost sharing, both for OTC and laboratory tests, will end. However, coverage may continue if plans choose to continue to include it.State Medicaid programs must provide coverage without cost sharing for COVID-19 testing until September 30, 2024, after which coverage may vary by state.COVID-19 vaccines will remain free after the public health emergency ends as long as the supply of federally purchased vaccines lasts.“While we continue to offer some services related to COVID-19, the change in federal resources ahead will affect local COVID-related functions,” said Dr. Barbara Brookmyer, Frederick County Health Officer. “Our local public health workers will continue to be focused on serving our community to promote health and wellness with the available resources.”