The first day of the new school year is right around the corner, unfortunately during a time of rising COVID-19 cases. Fortunately, you can help promote healthy school environments during the pandemic and help your patients prepare starting with Texas’ sales tax holiday this weekend.
As families shop for school supplies, now is a good time to remind them to check on their mask inventory and stock up. Cloth and disposable fabric face masks are eligible during the tax holiday, which begins Friday, Aug. 5, and runs through midnight Sunday, Aug. 7. Masks and other qualifying items can be purchased in store; online; or by telephone, mail, custom order, or “any other means,” according to the comptroller’s office.
Now is also a good time to remind patients to check the expiration dates on the family supply of at-home test kits and restock.
U.S. households are eligible for an order of free at-home tests via the U.S. Postal Service. Patients enrolled in Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Healthy Texas Women, and other state health benefit programs may obtain up to four free kits per month “from a Medicaid-enrolled retail pharmacy with or without a prescription from a prescribing provider,” according to the Texas Medicaid and Healthcare Partnership.
Private insurers also must cover at-home test kits “without imposing any cost-sharing requirements, prior authorization, or other medical management requirements,” per the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.
Last Updated On
August 02, 2022
Originally Published On
August 02, 2022