Nowadays, the COVID-19 pandemic seems to be affecting every facet of life. The guidelines on how to prevent it are engraved on everybody’s mind: wash your hands frequently, use hand sanitizer often if water is not available, avoid touching your face, wear a mask, and stay at least six feet away from other people.
However, it seems as though no matter how careful people try to be, the number of infections does not seem to go away. People are continuing to catch the virus and many suffer unimaginably because of it.
If you are covered by urgent care that accepts Medicaid, you may be wondering how it can help you in case you get COVID-19. Let’s have a look at some frequently asked questions regarding Medicaid and COVID-19:
When there are new treatments for COVID-19, will Medicaid recipients be eligible to receive them?
New treatments for COVID-19 are slowly becoming available. To date, the Food and Drug Administration has given authorization to two treatments for hospitalized patients with COVID-19. These are Veklury which is sold as Remdesivir and the use of plasma from people who have recovered from the disease. As things stand now, current payment mechanisms in both Medicaid managed care and fee for service (FFS), inpatient hospitalizations are reimbursed as part of a bundled payment that is inclusive of the entire patient stay including any drugs or procedures.
What happens to Medicaid recipients when a vaccine becomes available?
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have taken steps to make sure that all Americans have access to the vaccine at no extra cost to them when it becomes available. CMS is preparing all states, providers, and insurers to be ready to quickly administer the vaccine once it is available and apply it at no charge to beneficiaries.
Has there been support for Medicaid patients in nursing homes?
Since the start of the pandemic, CMS created a Medicaid Disaster Relief State Plan Amendment to help states respond to the COVID-19 emergency. Payments have been authorized for nursing home facilities to support potentially higher requirements for the health of nursing home residents and mitigate the spread of the virus. As such, certain actions have been taken to care for all residents, including those who test positive for COVID-19. The CMS is encouraging all states to improve the care of Medicaid patients who live in nursing homes.
Is the current economic landscape affecting Medicaid enrollment?
Definitely. There has been a marked increase in Medicaid program enrollment due to the very high number of people that have lost their jobs during this crisis. However, although state tax revenues have decreased due to economic shutdowns, the relative financial impact of COVID-19 treatments will most likely have a minimal impact on state Medicaid budgets.
Do you have questions regarding Medicaid and your qualification for enrollment?
If you are looking to find out whether you can be covered by Medicaid or have any questions on enrollment, reach out to a West Palm Beach Medicaid specialist and get the answers you need now.
The current pandemic has affected millions. As it stands now, it is unlike anything anyone alive today has ever experienced. It has become critical for individuals, families, and healthcare providers to take action to endure this health crisis and build a foundation for a full recovery.