To our employees:

Nevada Department of Health and Human Services

NEWS


March 5, 2020

A handshake. A light kiss on the cheek. Rubbing noses. All are ways people greet each other in the workplace and elsewhere, depending on culture and country. But with communicable diseases such as the novel coronavirus, the flu and colds circulating, it’s a good idea to shake off such practices.

Since December, when the coronavirus was identified in China, there have been 90,893 reported cases around the world and 3,110 deaths—including 11 deaths in the U.S. Although 48 countries outside of China have reported cases, 80 percent of the latest cases are from three countries—the Republic of Korea, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Italy—the director-general of the World Health Organization said March 3.

People everywhere are being urged to rethink how they greet each other to contain the spread of the virus, also known as COVID-19.

No-Handshake Directives

“A no-handshake policy should be spelled out with kindness and empathy,” she advised. “Let those you’ll be meeting know ahead of time in writing. Or, if you don’t have time for that, before you are in handshake range you can say something like, ‘So happy to meet you, but so sorry we have to skip the handshaking. We want to keep everybody safe.’  Click here to continue reading


March 3, 2020

Division of Public and Behavioral Health – Coronavirus

Stop the Spread of Germs at Work – handwashing poster


March 2, 2020

Memorandum

TO: Department of Health and Human Services staff, retirees, and dependents

FROM: Deborah A. Hassett, Deputy Director – Administrative Services; Department of Health and Human Services

SUBJECT: Technical Bulletin

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When an employee from our Department passed away abruptly, the Public Benefits Program (PEBP) notified the deceased’s dependent of group health insurance continuation options under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). In this instance, COBRA required the state to offer a qualified dependent the full cost of the employer’s health insurance premium plus administrative cost for up to 36 months. It is cost prohibitive for many qualifying beneficiaries. When the dependent indicated they could not afford to continue the state health insurance, their insurance was cancelled, complicating an already difficult time.

The Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS) immediately initiated contact with the dependent and explained the qualifications for Medicaid and Nevada Check Up Programs (as described in the attached Technical Bulletin). Due to expanded Medicaid, the dependent qualified for Medicaid, which was a huge relief to the dependent and their family.

The attached technical bulletin explains Medicaid and/or Nevada Check Up benefits available to all who qualify financially and/or those who experience a loss of coverage due to a catastrophic event, change in life status, or job change.

In you have any questions regarding the Technical Bulletin, please do not hesitate to contact Scott Nelson, Employee Development Manager, Division of Welfare and Supportive Services. Mr. Nelson can be reached at (702) 486-1491 or via email at snelson@dwss.nv.gov.

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