The US Public Health Emergency, declared to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, ends today. Although the public health emergency is over, COVID-19 vaccines, testing and treatment will continue to be free in North Carolina, regardless of health insurance or immigration status, while supplies last.
When federally purchased vaccines run out, they will be available just like flu shots and other routine vaccines, covered by Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, or out-of-pocket costs for the uninsured. Visit Vaccinate.nc.gov for more information or NCDHHS.gov/LHD to contact your local health department for information on low-cost vaccines.
COVID-19 home tests are still available in many places for free and can be delivered directly to your home. Community organizations can request free trials until June 26, 2023 to distribute in their regions. Visit Vaccinate.nc.gov/testing for more information. In addition, federal centers called Tests to Treat will continue to provide free treatment to the uninsured or underinsured, although a fee may be charged for the evaluation.
As the public health emergency ends, people’s Medicaid , WIC , and Food and Nutrition Services benefits could change. On April 1, North Carolina began the recertification process to check the status of all Medicaid recipients and work to minimize health care coverage gaps for families. Medicaid recertifications will occur on a rolling basis in 2024. The first beneficiaries will see the changes on July 1.
Medicaid recipients can receive instructions by mail, email, phone or text message on when and how to renew coverage or recertify benefits. It is important to update all necessary information related to benefit coverage, respond promptly to instructions, and submit all required materials on time. You can find more information at Medicaid.ncdhhs.gov .
- Press release
- Find home tests for COVID-19
- Check the expiration date of your COVID-19 home test
- Find a Test to Treat center
- Information for Medicaid Recipients
The past three years are a testament to the strength, innovation, and resilience of North Carolinians as we worked to protect one another from COVID-19. With the help of more than 4,450 community partners as well as health care providers, NCDHHS participated in more than 1,000 community events to provide testing and administer vaccines, administered more than 17 million COVID-19 vaccines, and distributed more than 12.2 million. of home tests throughout the state.
NCDHHS will continue to strengthen efforts to provide everyone with access to timely information, eliminate health inequity, support general health and wellness, and help give all North Carolinians the opportunity for good health.
For more information on COVID-19 resources after the end of the public health emergency, visit Vaccinate.nc.gov or call 1-800-CDC-INFO.
Photo by Steven Cornfield on Unsplash
