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In this issue: |
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Oregon Health Plan (OHP/Medicaid) members with a medical need and who are facing certain life changes may now qualify for new climate-related benefits.
These benefits include devices that promote healthy temperatures and clean air such as air conditioners, heaters and air filters, as well as mini refrigeration units for storing medications. Portable power supplies to operate medical equipment (i.e., ventilators during power outages) may also be available as a new benefit.
Eligible members are experiencing life transitions and often face social injustices, including but not limited to those currently or previously involved in the child welfare system, homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, or released from incarceration within the last year.
“People with lower incomes and chronic conditions are among those most likely to experience heat exhaustion, heat stroke or complications of other health conditions related to extreme climate events,” said Dave Baden, deputy director of OHA. “By connecting wrap-around health benefits to traditional Medicaid coverage, Oregon is recognizing that non-medical factors influence health outcomes. Access to these services will reduce health disparities and offer life-saving resources to people in Oregon.”
The new climate-related benefits are part of Oregon’s federally funded expansion of OHP coverage to include health-related social needs (HRSN) services, which can help maintain health and well-being but aren’t traditionally thought of as medical services.
OHP members interested in receiving climate devices should contact their coordinated care organization (CCO) to learn more.
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Oregonians ages 65 and older are now advised to get an additional dose of the 2023–2024 updated COVID-19 vaccine released last fall, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“Vaccine-induced immunity can wane over time, but a second dose restores that protection, which can help keep people in this particularly vulnerable group from being hospitalized or even dying,” said Dr. Paul Cieslak, medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at OHA. The additional dose of the 2023-2024 vaccine should be given at least four months after the first dose.
People who are immunocompromised are already eligible for additional doses of the 2023-2024 updated COVID-19 vaccine, at least two months after their most recent dose.
While the state has seen a steady decline in COVID-19-related hospitalizations and percentage of positive COVID-19 tests since late December, the virus is still circulating briskly across Oregon. OHA continues to recommend anyone who has not received the 2023–2024 updated COVID-19 vaccine to get it as soon as they can, as vaccination remains the best way for people to protect themselves against the virus.
Additionally, the CDC recently updated its isolation guidelines to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, which align with Oregon’s guidelines.
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Health notes |
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The federal program to send free at-home COVID-19 test kits to U.S. residences will end this Friday, March 8.
Since September 2023, each U.S. household is eligible to receive four test kits (containing two tests each), delivered for free via U.S. Postal Service.
After filling out the online order form and submitting your order, the screen will confirm whether your household is still eligible for any free tests and, if so, how many will be mailed to you.
If you have COVID-19 tests that may have expired, check the expiration date on the box and search this webpage, maintained by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA has extended the expiration dates of many at-home COVID-19 tests. If your test has expired, you can throw it away in the regular trash.
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The Color Health telehealth service in Oregon to receive low- or no-cost COVID-19 antiviral medication such as Paxlovid is ending after March 31. Additionally, the last day to receive this medication through Color Health’s home delivery option is tomorrow, March 8. After that and through March 31, the only option will be pharmacy pickup.
Outside of Color Health, there are a few ways for eligible people to get COVID-19 antiviral medication.
- If you are uninsured or have Medicare or Medicaid (OHP), and you have a prescription for Paxlovid, you can receive Paxlovid at no cost through Pfizer’s patient assistance program, PAXCESS, regardless of income, insurance or immigration status. Overnight home delivery of Paxlovid is possible upon request. Enroll online for PAXCESS here. Call 877-219-7225 to learn more.
- If you have private insurance and become sick, contact your health care provider or go to an in-network urgent care facility to get a prescription. Most private insurance plans will cover COVID-19 antiviral medication with possible co-pays. Those with private insurance can also enroll in the PAXCESS co-pay program for help paying for Paxlovid.
- Check with your pharmacy to see if they will prescribe Paxlovid directly to you, without a doctor’s prescription. State-licensed pharmacists may prescribe Paxlovid to people under certain conditions.
COVID-19 antiviral medication cannot be prescribed in advance, in case someone gets sick. It must also be taken within five days of symptom onset. Learn more about COVID-19 treatments, including Paxlovid, here. For questions related to COVID-19 treatment options, contact the Oregon Immunization Program Help Desk, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 1-800-980-9431 or alertiis@odhsoha.oregon.gov.
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Community leaders and health care providers on Oregon's northern coast last week shared with OHA Director Sejal Hathi the challenges they face. It was the second stop during Dr. Hathi's regional listening visits, where she learned about Clatsop County's homelessness crisis (the largest per capita in the state), as well as aging drinking water infrastructure that forced some residents to live under a boil water advisory for more than a year.
Next week, Director Hathi will visit local public health leaders and advocates in Eugene, Salem and Lebanon. Her upcoming travel schedule can be found here.
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OHA answers your questions |
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Questions are answered by experts at OHA and other state agencies or community partners.
Q: Is norovirus on the rise in Oregon? – Michael, Portland
A: Norovirus activity is always higher in the winter months. In fact, it was once called “Winter Vomiting Disease” because it’s the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea, and of foodborne illness in the United States. Although individual norovirus infections aren’t reportable in Oregon, outbreaks of norovirus are. Our “norovirus data year” starts in August and runs through the following July. This season, through the end of February we’ve recorded 32 norovirus outbreaks in Oregon. This is typical. Diligent handwashing with soap and water after using the toilet is the best way to prevent spread.
You may have recently seen reports of rising norovirus rates in the Northeast United States, but those rates are still lower than they were at this point last season and not cause for particular concern.
The CDC tracks weekly national data on norovirus trends by region.
Q: Do older folks need a COVID-19 booster now if we got the newest version when it was available? I have seen suggestions that we should update for summer. – Susan, Albany
A: The timing of your question is good. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that all people ages 65 and older receive an additional dose of the 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine that was released last fall. The CDC recommends waiting four-months after receiving the first dose of the 2023-2024 vaccine before getting this booster.
COVID-19 vaccines are fully covered by all Marketplace plans and most other private insurance plans at no cost to the patient anywhere the vaccine is offered. It’s best to go to an in-network provider or pharmacy, but if you can’t find one, call your insurer in advance to arrange full coverage of the vaccine at an out-of-network location. If you don’t have insurance, search for COVID-19 vaccines using Vaccines.gov, and narrow your search to locations that participate in the Bridge Access Program to receive no-cost COVID-19 vaccines for adults without insurance.
Since October 2023, people with compromised immune systems have been recommended to receive an additional dose of the 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine at least two months after receiving their last dose, and they may be eligible to receive additional doses beyond that at the discretion of their health care provider.
If you have questions about health topics in Oregon, submit your question here. Although we are unable to answer every question, we try to address those of interest to a broad audience. Please understand that we are unable to provide specific medical advice for personal medical conditions.
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If you need mental health support for any reason, help is out there.
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