United States Senator Brian Schatz and United States Congressman Ed Case updated the State House today on COVID-19 assistance now available through the Federal Government. Congressman Case said the legislators are stressing the importance of getting promised funds to the states and more importantly, to individuals.

Schatz said the legislators are now confident that a minimum of $4 Billion will come to the state, not just to the State government, but to the state, the counties, and to individuals. Schatz said this is a conservative estimate. He said the estimated amounts right now include:

-$1.25 Billion to the State and County governments
-$1.42 Billion for unemployment payments
-$1.24 Billion direct payment to individuals

Schatz said there are also supplemental appropriations with funding for Community Health Centers (such as Bay Clinic and West Hawaii Community Health Center), plus for childcare, block grants, grants to the justice system.

He noted, as did Congressman Case, that it’s critical that the Small Business Loan program to business be well and promptly administered, and that not all the details have been worked out.

Sen. Schatz also said there will be an additional $100 Billion fund for hospitals across the country, and it’s not yet determined how much Hawaii will get.

Sen. Schatz said his web site will constantly update information, at Schatz.Senate.Gov

Below is information from Sen. Schatz’s office.

HEALTH INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
Overview

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provide important protections for individuals to receive testing for the coronavirus (COVID-19) and other services.

Testing for COVID-19

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act requires health insurers to cover the COVID-19 diagnostic test at no cost to individuals.  This includes private health plans, Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, CHIP, TRICARE, veterans’ plans, federal workers’ health plans, and the Indian Health Service.
• This means that individuals are not responsible for deductibles, coinsurance, or co-pays for a COVID-19 test or for the visit associated with receiving that test.
• Plans may not use tools like prior authorization to limit access to the test.
• Insurers must also cover the cost, without cost-sharing, of a patient’s visit to a provider, urgent care center, or emergency room to receive this testing.
• However, these requirements do not apply to certain types of private health plans that are not in compliance with requirements of the Affordable Care Act, such as short-term limited duration plans.  Please contact your insurance plan with any questions.  For the purpose of testing, these individuals count as uninsured under the Families First Act.  See below.
• Please note that a doctor’s order is currently required to receive a COVID-19 test in Hawaii.  Please click here for more information on the criteria for testing.  ** Note, on the Big Island, on-site screening without a doctor’s order in advance…click here for more information.

What if I am uninsured?

The Families First Act provides funding to reimburse providers for testing uninsured individuals, including those enrolled in short-term limited duration plans.  If you are uninsured, please talk to your provider about receiving a test.

In addition, states have the option to extend Medicaid eligibility to uninsured populations for COVID-19 diagnostic testing, and this testing would be available with no cost-sharing.

Prescription Drug Coverage for Medicare Beneficiaries

During the COVID-19 public health emergency, a senior on Medicare can get up to 90 days of a prescription if that is what their doctor prescribed, as long as there are no safety concerns.  Medicare drug plans will also allow beneficiaries to fill prescription early for refills up to 90 days, depending on the prescription.

In the past, Medicare drug plans only let beneficiaries receive a 30-day supply of their prescription.

Over-the-Counter Medical Products

The CARES Act allows patients to use funds in Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), and Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRAs) for the purchase of over-the-counter medical products, such as non-prescription pain relievers and cold/flu medications, without a prescription from a physician.  In addition, menstrual care products have been added to the list of qualified health care expenses under FSAs, HSAs, and HRAs.

Telehealth

The CARES Act provides new options to use telehealth.  More information is available here.

More Information

For more information and resources, please visit the following websites:
• Hawaii Department of Health: hawaiicovid19.com
• Information on Testing: hawaiicovid19.com/screening
• Med-QUEST: medquest.hawaii.gov/en/about/recent-news/2020/CoronaVirus.html
• Medicare: www.medicare.gov/medicare-coronavirus and www.cms.gov/files/document/03052020-medicare-covid-19-fact-sheet.pdf
• Marketplace coverage: www.healthcare.gov/blog/coronavirus-marketplace-coverage/ and www.cms.gov/files/document/03052020-individual-small-market-covid-19-fact-sheet.pdf
• Medicaid and CHIP: www.cms.gov/files/document/03052020-medicaid-covid-19-fact-sheet.pdf
• Community Resources: medquest.hawaii.gov/en/resources/community-partners.html

For more or updated information on federal coronavirus resources, visit www.schatz.senate.gov/coronavirus.

Honolulu Office p: (808) 523-2061 f: (808) 523-2065

Washington Office p: (202) 224-3934 f: (202) 228-1153

Congressman Ed Case’s office: 

Honolulu Office at (808) 650-6688. 

Washington DC Office at (202) 225-2726