St. Mary’s County Health Department Prepares for the End of the Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Declaration and Other Measures Taken During the Pandemic

LEONARDTOWN, MD (May 9, 2023) – The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) 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. While addressing ongoing COVID-19 infection and impact remains a significant public health priority, 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 Updates

• SMCHD Operations
  • COVID-19 testing will be available Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the St. Mary’s County Health Hub in Lexington Park by appointment only.
  • COVID-19 vaccines will be available on Tuesdays and Friday at the SMCHD Main Office in Leonardtown by appointment only.
  • Beginning July 1, 2023, SMCHD will bill health insurance for COVID-19 test collection AND COVID-19 vaccine administration. Community members will not be turned away for inability to pay.
  • Home test kits and KN95 masks will continue to be available for pick up by community members at the St. Mary’s County Public Libraries and the health department main office while supplies last.
• SMCHD will no longer analyze 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.
• SMCHD in partnership with WellCheck will continue to assess the impact of post-COVID conditions (“Long COVID”) in St. Mary’s County – Residents previously diagnosed with COVID-19 are asked to complete this brief, anonymous survey. 

State Updates

• The 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 making Medicaid eligibility reviews again. Not everyone will be up for renewal at the same time. These renewals will take place over 12 months. Learn more about the Maryland Medicaid Check-In 2023 here.
  • What you need to do:
    • Log in to your account at MarylandHealthConnection.gov and update your contact information.
    • Watch for communications from Maryland Health Connection. When you get your notice, you will have 45 days to respond.
    • Renew your coverage or enroll in a private plan when you receive your notice.
  • For more information or help navigating, contact the St. Mary’s County Health Department at 301-475-4330 and ask to speak to a Medicaid Specialist.

National Updates

• Coverage 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.
  • Dependent on supply and resources, the US Government may continue to distribute free COVID-19 tests from the Strategic National Stockpile through the United States Postal Service, states, and other community partners. Pending resource availability, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) program will continue working to ensure continued equitable access to testing for uninsured individuals and areas of high social vulnerability through pharmacies and community-based sites.
• Vaccines will remain free for everyone when the public health emergency ends. As long as the supply of federally purchased vaccines lasts, COVID-19 vaccines will remain free.
• SNAP Benefits returned to the eligible amount a household of your size received before the pandemic crisis at the end of February 2023.
  • Click here for local food resources
  • For more information on SNAP Benefits contact the St. Mary’s County Department of Social Services at (240) 895-7000.

“While we continue to offer some services related to COVID-19 infection and monitor for new emerging variants, the change in federal resources ahead will affect local COVID-related functions and some other programs that residents were able to access during the pandemic,” said Dr. Meena Brewster, St. Mary’s County Health Officer. “We are dedicated to ongoing work with our partners to address other community health issues, including mental health, substance use, and post-COVID conditions.”

For more information about COVID-19, please visit our new consolidated COVID-19 webpage smchd.org/covid-19/.

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