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"Unwinding" resources:

We've compiled information about the end of Medicaid continuous coverage and other changes connected to the end of the public health emergency and the major disaster declaration on one page.

Find the latest:

Need help with vaccination, boosters or testing?

Trained staff are standing by to help you find vaccine and testing locations, make appointments, order free at-home test kits, and connect to local services and supports if you need them to get vaccinated or tested. 

Both phone lines are staffed Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Eastern). (Use this infographic and this video to help spread the word about DIAL.) 

What's New

Here are the latest additions to this page. Sign up for ACL Updates to receive these and other updates via e-mail.

  • CDC has updated its guidance on air ventilation in buildings. The guidance now includes a recommendation to get at least 5 air changes per hour of clean air in occupied spaces.

  • The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued a number of updates to its COVID-19 technical assistance, “What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws,” including adding a new question and answer about the end of the federal declaration of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

  • HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra released a statement on the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). "The PHE is ending, but COVID-19 remains a public health priority, and our work to protect the American public will continue," Sec. Becerra said.

  • Because the protection provided by the COVID-19 vaccine fades much more quickly for people 65 and older and people who are immunocompromised, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its COVID-19 vaccine recommendations to allow an additional an dose of the updated (bivalent) vaccine for these populations. CDC also simplified its vaccination recommendations for everyone else. Everyone six and older should to get one shot of the updated bivalent vaccine, regardless of whether they completed the original vaccination series. Not sure if you need one?

    • No matter how older you are, if you have not gotten a shot since September, you definitely need one!
    • If you are 65 or older or if you are moderately or severely immunocompromised, it may be a good idea for you to get an extra dose of the bivalent vaccine. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to decide whether it makes sense for you.

  • Getting vaccinated and staying up to date continues to be the best way to prevent serious illness and death due to COVID-19. CDC’s website has more details on current recommendations.

  • The end of the Public Health Emergency on May 11, 2023 may impact insurance coverage for laboratory and over-the-counter COVID-19 tests. This CMS fact sheet (also available in Spanish) describes how unwinding will impact testing coverage for individuals with different forms of insurance.

  • This resource describes how the end of the Public Health Emergency will effect various CDC activities.

  • CMS has posted a chart, Anticipated 2023 State Timelines for Initiating Unwinding-Related Renewals, which describes the timeline in which each state will be unwinding COVID-19 Medicaid continuous coverage requirements.

  • President Biden signed legislation on April 10 immediately ending the national emergency related to COVID-19. This is not the same as the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), which is set to expire on May 11. The end of the national emergency does not affect any unwinding plans related to the PHE. Existing pandemic-related Medicare and Medicaid waivers currently in effect will remain in place until the end of the PHE.

  • On April 5, 2023, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office for Civil Rights (OCR) reminded states of their obligations under federal civil rights laws as the PHE and the continuous Medicaid coverage comes to an end, and states restart Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) eligibility reviews. The letter makes clear that states have independent obligations under federal civil rights laws to ensure that individuals and families continue to have access to Medicaid and CHIP coverage upon the expiration of the continuous enrollment condition

  • ACL has posted updated FAQs on CRRSAA funding for Elder Justice Act grantees

Resources for people with COVID-related disabilities

On July 26, 2022, the White House published this comprehensive package of resources for people with disabilities, including people with COVID-related disabilities. We've created a page for these and other resources for people with COVID-related disabilities -- we'll add to it as more resources are available.
 

For Older Adults, People with Disabilities, Families, and Caregivers

  • Vaccine info
  • Staying safe
  • Your rights

Click here to learn more

Find the latest vaccine-related resources

Find resources on "Long COVID"

For the Aging and Disability Networks

  • ACL Program Guidance
  • Promising Practices: Innovative approaches that may work in your community
  • Guidance from other federal programs

Find more resources here

Find resources on promoting vaccinations

Ensuring Equity and Inclusion

Resources for

  • State and local COVID-19 response planners
  • Healthcare professionals
  • Educators
  • Businesses
  • others who need to understand the needs and issues of older adults and people with disabilities

Click here to find more helpful tips


National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness

The National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness provides detailed information about the seven goals of Biden Administration's coordinated pandemic response. The 198-page strategy document begins with an overview of the goals, followed by details on a variety of topics, many of which intersect the core missions of the aging and disability networks. Among the topics covered are home and community based services, vaccination communication, impact on at-risk groups, equitable access to PPE, and community-based, multi-sector efforts to align health and social interventions. The strategy reflects the White House's priorities for addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Follow your state's guidance

Decisions about community measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, as well as vaccine prioritization and distribution, will be made by local and state officials, The links in this section will connect you to some state resources.

Links to state resources

Last modified on 05/24/2023


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