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get in the way we get through. This is the way we get through everything in Kentucky by being good neighbors and by looking out for each other a couple of steps we've taken on the state level. And then there's a number of community steps that will be talked about in a minute, declared a state of emergency a number of days ago that makes sure that we have every tool that we need to address this situation. We are removing any impediments to getting someone tested or treated on Medicaid. We're gonna eliminate prior authorizations, Um or or any other issues that would cause pushback within that Medicaid system. Today, I will be issuing an executive order that will wave co pays deductibles, call sharing and diagnostic testing fees for private insurance and state employees. There's about 433,000 Kentucky ends on private insurance and up to about 30,000 state employees, and we're also going to be telling providers to expand their networks to patients that may go outside. They're normal providers. Again, we want to make sure that there aren't any cost or other impediments, as as we move forward

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Public health officials say they are now monitoring roughly 200 possible cases of Coronavirus in Kentucky, in addition to the four confirmed cases in the state, they announced Monday.In response, Gov. Andy Beshear signed an executive order directing insurers to waive out-of-pocket fees for COVID-19 testing."We want to make sure there aren't any costs or other impediments as we move forward," Beshear said.Providers will also be asked to expand their networks to patients who may may go outside their normal providers, Beshear said.Read the executive order here.Beshear has also directed state officials to provide free testing for Medicaid recipients and to give state employees enough paid sick leave to accommodate issues with the coronavirus.He hopes other employers will follow his lead.As of Monday, the four confirmed cases of coronavirus in Kentucky consisted of two in Harrison County, one in Jefferson County and one in Fayette County.The two patients in Harrison County, Kentucky are linked, although officials would not say how. One of them worked at the Walmart in Cynthiana, although officials have no reason to believe that patient contracted the virus at the store. Nevertheless, six Walmart employees have been placed on self-quarantine."I cannot express the importance of that partnership," said Dr. Crystal Miller, director of the WEDCO District Health Department." Walmart has followed every guideline, they have been at the table, working hand in hand with us and providing every detail that we have needed to do our investigation."The condition of the first patient diagnosed in Harrison County is improving, Beshear said. READ: Guidelines for people living in counties with infected residentsIf you have any questions, call the coronavirus hotline at 1-800-722-5725.Kentuckians are also urged to visit this website, which gives the latest information on coronavirus monitoring in the state.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