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Tag: COVID-19

Insurance Coverage of COVID-19 Testing

Posted on by djbechard

Over-the-counter COVID-19 tests should be covered by health insurance plans at no direct cost to the consumer. The process by which an insurer covers the cost of tests will vary. Kansans will either receive their tests at no out-of-pocket cost at the point of sale or will need to submit an insurance claim for reimbursement. Insured Kansans are encouraged to be on the lookout for guidance from their insurance provider for how to obtain their over-the-counter COVID-19 tests.

As a reminder, insurers should cover the cost of other diagnostic COVID-19 tests as well, without cost sharing requirements (i.e. deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance). In most cases, you should not receive any bill, including for a provider/facility fee. Kansans are encouraged to contact the Kansas Insurance Department if they receive a bill for COVID-19 testing and have questions if it was appropriately billed.

The Kansas Insurance Department’s consumer assistance division stands ready to assist Kansans with their questions or concerns related to insurance and can be contacted toll free at 1-800-432-2484 or via web at www.insurance.kansas.gov.

By: Brenda Langdon

COVID-19 Funeral Expense Program

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

If you or a member of your community lost a loved one to COVID-19, you may be eligible for a government program that pays for funeral expenses. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will pay up to $9,000 for funeral expenses for loved ones who died of COVID-19. Survivors can apply for benefits by contacting FEMA, toll-free, at 844-684-6333. To find out if you qualify, read FEMA’s https://www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance/faq

Unfortunately, FEMA reports that scammers are contacting people and pretending to offer to register them for assistance. To avoid those scams, here are some tips:

  • FEMA will not contact you until you call or apply for assistance.
  • The government won’t ask you to pay anything to get this benefit.
  • Don’t give your own or your deceased loved one’s personal or financial information to anyone who contacts you out of the blue.

If you think you got a scam call, hang up and report it to the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

By: Brenda Langdon

Managing Family Stress During COVID-19

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

How can you manage family stress? Engaging in three critical areas – communicate, ground yourself in common beliefs, and create new routines and structure – will help you and  your family move through this difficult time.

Ground Yourself in Common Beliefs

Families may grow stronger when they feel connected. A shared understanding of “how we live together as a family” is important.

Reach out every day to your family members who live in other places by phone or video calls.

  • Have children read a book to someone over the phone (grandparents or someone isolated).
  • Start a journal that you write something in daily about what you are thankful for.
  • Watch a favorite movie or look at photos with your children and share stories about why they are so meaningful to you.

Create new routines and structure

The uncertainty of these challenging times makes us anxious, and we share that anxiety with our families. While change can produce anxiety, it can also bring an opportunity for experiencing life in a different, perhaps healthier and more satisfying way.

  • Connect with nature – take walks and exercise alone or with your family. Exercise helps to manage emotions.
  • Take time to do things you’ve been wanting to try. That might be cooking a different dinner, reading a book or calling a friend you haven’t talked to in a while.
  • Connect safely (from 6 feet) with someone new in your community. To stay six feet apart, imagine there is a full-size couch between you.
  • Keep some of your family rules in place, especially mealtime and bedtime for children. For you, getting up and going to bed at familiar times is also important.

 

By: Brenda Langdon

Managing Family Stress During COVID-19

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

The uncertainty surrounding the Coronavirus pandemic is causing disruptions in family and work life. The virus has forced us to change daily routines leading to increased family stress. Many people are faced with financial strain and lack of resources. While all of these changes can add stress and tension to family interactions, family members also can grow closer to each

other and become more resilient and resourceful.

One way to manage your families stress is to communicate. Family members grow closer if they talk to each other about their personal experiences with the stress of the coronavirus and its impact on their lives. Sharing one’s own feelings and views and listening to others promotes better understanding.

  • Set a time each day to talk about your day and about thoughts or feelings related to COVID-19.
  • Talk with family at the end of the day about something that was fun or that you learned new that day.
  • Come up with a plan together for what you will do tomorrow as a family. You can plan small things, such as meals, or fun activities, with everyone sharing their input and making a family decision together.
  • If the health and safety of people are not at stake, then put off major decisions and difficult conversations that are not necessary to manage the current crisis. It is best to avoid or delay conflict right now.
  • In the context of parenting, connecting with your kids before correcting them is really important.
  • If you get angry, or someone gets upset, find some personal space and take some time to cool down. Put things in perspective and keep in mind that this is a very challenging time for all.
  • People might need some private time to be by themselves. If the kids share a room, you can schedule who gets to be in the room at what time. If there is a balcony or yard, you can send the kids out for some time or spend time there yourself.
  • Be the first to offer comfort or to tell someone “it’s ok.”

By: Brenda Langdon

Health and Food Behaviors During COVID-19

Posted on by Nora Rhoades

As the saying goes, timing is everything. The 2020 International Food Information Council Food & Health Survey was conducted in April 2020, right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. So, that backdrop must be considered when looking at the results. Yes, consumer beliefs and actions have made a major shift. The question is, will those changes remain?

It’s not surprising that cooking at home is the biggest change for 8 in 10 Americans. Along with that, they are snacking more, washing fruits and vegetables more, and just giving more thought to food choices.

Going to the grocery store has decreased since consumers make fewer trips to the store each week.  Online grocery shopping has gone up.

Food safety concerns about food have increased and more than a third of consumers avoid some foods and beverages. Keep in mind, COVID-19 has not been found to spread through food or food packaging. Consumers are more concerned about food safety when grocery shopping online.

In spite of all the challenges with COVID-19, 67% of respondents are at least somewhat confident in the overall safety of the food supply.

Download the entire report at https://foodinsight.org/2020-food-and-health-survey/.

By: Ashley Svaty

Your Valuable Records

Posted on by Nora Rhoades

In an emergency, would your family or trusted friend know who to contact? Your bank? Your financial adviser? Your insurance company?

Free resources from K-State Research and Extension are available online for downloading and printing, including https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF685.pdf, which can help anyone gather important information in one place. That information can be kept in a safety deposit box or other secure location and can be invaluable in emergencies.

The form includes space for family members’ names, birthdates and more, plus contact information space for key advisers, such as attorney, executor, doctor, religious adviser, insurance agents, and banker. It can also help gather basic information about vehicles and other property and credit, bank and retirement accounts.

More information about this and other resources is available at K-State Research and Extension Post Rock District offices. Links to resources also may be found on the K-State Research and Extension COVID 19 page https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/.

Source: https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/news/stories/2020/05/preserve-valuable-family-records.html

By: Brenda Langdon

Economic Impact Payment (Stimulus Checks) Frequently Asked Questions

Posted on by Nora Rhoades
Brenda Langdon, Family Resource Management Extension Agent

If I owe the IRS will I receive an Economic Impact Payment?

Yes, but if you owe past due child support it may be offset.

Does my Economic Impact Payment affect federal programs I am applying for? 

No.  A payment will not affect your income for the purpose of determining eligibility for federal government assistance or benefit programs.

My loved one is in a nursing home and received an Economic Impact Payment.  What do I need to do?

Economic Impact Payment funds are not considered income by Medicaid. After 12 months any remaining funds will count as a resource for continued qualifying for Medicaid, including those in care homes.

By: Brenda Langdon