State Now Requires Insurers to Cover COVID-19 Vaccinations

February 3, 2021
 
The State of Oregon now requires health benefit plans in Oregon to cover costs of vaccination for COVID-19, following an order by State Public Health Director Rachael Banks.
The January 27 determination cites Oregon Revised Statute 743A.264 (2) and (3) in mandating that private health plans operating in Oregon not charge patients for most costs related to providing the vaccine. That includes the cost of all doses of the vaccine and associated supplies, and expenses for administering the shot, such as those related to staff time. The Oregon Health Plan and Medicare programs do not charge patients for costs of vaccinations.

Oregonians who have questions about their insurance coverage are encouraged to contact their Coordinated Care Organization, insurance company or agent. If they still have questions or concerns, consumer advocates are available.

Be Super Safe When You Watch the Super Bowl This Year
While the Super Bowl usually calls for an all-you-can-eat buffet of snacks and an assortment of friends, COVID-19 continues to spread in Oregon and across the country. The safest way to enjoy the game this weekend will be at home with the people you live with.
Here are some low-risk ways to celebrate the Super Bowl:

  • Host a virtual watch party with loved ones and friends. Have everyone tune in on the same broadcast and celebrate each touchdown (or lack thereof) in virtual unison. 
  • Plan Super Bowl festivities with those you live with.
If you have a large enough outside area, such as a covered porch or deck where members of your bubble can maintain six feet of distance, you can consider hosting a small outdoor gathering. If you do so, it's important that you and your guests wear face coverings at all times, maintain six feet of physical distance from each other, wash your hands regularly, avoid crowded, poorly ventilated indoor spaces, and prepare separate food and drinks for separate households.

If you choose to go this route, be sure to also keep the updated Oregon County Risk Levels in mind.

  • Extreme: Limit outdoor gatherings to six people, with no more than one additional household. 
  • High: Limit outdoor gatherings to eight people, with no more than one additional household. 
  • Moderate: Limit outdoor gatherings to no more than 10 people, with no more than one additional household. 
  • Lower: Limit outdoor gatherings to no more than 12 people, with no more than three additional households. 
Learn more about Oregon's County Risk Levels and the CDC's recommendations on small gatherings.

Wondering About Food Benefits This Month?
The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) will continue to offer increased food benefits in February 2021, to help Oregonians struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

This benefit increase applies to current Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients who are receiving less than the maximum allotment. Additionally, in response to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, there is also a temporary increase in SNAP benefits of approximately 15% for all recipients. 

SNAP recipients do not have to take any action to receive additional benefits as they will be placed directly on their Oregon EBT cards.  More information available here.  

Oregon Counties Have New Outdoor Dining Guidance
Outdoor dining guidance is now updated for Oregon counties. As of Friday, January 29, restaurants, bars, distilleries, and tasting rooms in all Oregon counties may allow the following:

  • Outdoor structures that have a temporary or fixed cover, like an awning or roof, as long as there is at least 50% of the square footage of its sides open for airflow. The enclosed sides may not be adjacent (next to) each other. 
Full details available here. 

Vaccine 101: What's an mRNA Vaccine?
The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are both classified as Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, but what does that mean? While this might be a new term for many, researchers have been studying and working with mRNA vaccine technology for decades. The process for making these vaccines can be standardized and produced at scale, making development faster than for a vaccine using live virus.

While mRNA vaccines seem to cause more short-term side effects than other vaccines, these effects don't appear to be long-lasting. Unlike other vaccines, which will place a weakened germ inside our bodies to fight off infectious disease, mRNA vaccines teach our cells how to make a protein that triggers an immune response in our bodies. The COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer do not use the live vaccine that causes COVID-19. Just like every other vaccine available in the United States though, the mRNA vaccines have been rigorously tested for safety and effectiveness by the FDA. The clinical trials included large numbers of people from Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino and other communities of color that are systemically affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

To learn more about the mRNA vaccines, visit the CDC's Understanding mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines webpage.

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