Member Coronavirus Information
What you need to know about COVID-19
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new disease. It mainly affects how people breathe and can spread from person to person. People of all ages can be infected. Older adults may be more likely to become very ill if they get COVID-19. So can people with pre-existing medical conditions like asthma, diabetes and heart disease. Many details about this disease are still unknown. How to treat the virus, how it works and its impact remain unclear.
COVID-19 is a disease that mainly affects how you breathe. It is caused by a new virus called the novel coronavirus, which has become a public health emergency. The number of cases keep growing across the nation and around the world.
The symptoms of COVID-19 include mild to severe breathing problems like coughing and shortness of breath. Fever is also a symptom. The virus may be spread even before a person begins to show symptoms.
Influenza (the flu), is an illness that also affects how you breathe. The flu is also highly active in the United States at this time. Every person ages six months and older should get a flu vaccine.
If you have been exposed or begin showing symptoms of COVID-19 or the flu, contact your health care provider or health department at once.
If you have the symptoms noted above, you can also call our 24-hour Nurse Advice Line. To learn more, please call us at 866-807-4490 (TTY: 711). We can also answer common questions you may have about COVID-19.
We all have a role to play to protect our neighborhoods and families from the spread of COVID-19. Follow these tips to help prevent yourself and others from getting sick:
- Wash your hands completely and often. Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizing rub (must contain at least 60% alcohol).
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or use a tissue.
- Promptly throw away tissues in a trash can after use.
- Fully clean public surfaces with soap and water or cleaning products
- Stay home when you are sick except to get medical care.
- Avoid shaking hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Get a flu vaccine.
- Keep at least six feet away from others as much as you can.
Yes. When required medical testing and screening services have been ordered or referred by a doctor to see if you have COVID-19, we will cover the costs. We will also cover the cost of the doctor visit. If it applies, your plan's copayment and coinsurance payment will be waived for COVID-19 testing and screening. So will your deductible cost-sharing.
No. You do not need to have prior consent or follow prior authorization rules – for required medical testing and screening services ordered or referred by a doctor or licensed health care provider.
Required COVID-19 medical testing, screening services and related doctor visits will be covered when ordered, referred and/or performed in these in-network places:
- Doctor's office
- Independent lab/diagnostic center
- Urgent care
- Emergency department
Are you unsure if you have been exposed to or are at-risk of having COVID-19? Schedule a call via telephone or online with a provider. It is a good option for non-urgent care to limit potential exposure in a doctor’s office or other health care center.
No. We will cover required medical testing and screening services ordered or referred by a doctor to see if you have COVID-19. These services will be at no cost to you. We will also cover the cost of the doctor visit. Also, if it applies, your plan's copayment and coinsurance payment will be waived for COVID-19 testing and screening. So will your deductible cost-sharing.
Any required medical treatment that relates to COVID-19 would be a covered benefit. We are committed to making sure you have access to COVID-19 treatment services in keeping with federal and state law.
Yes. You will be able to refill prescriptions prior to the refill date.
Worry and fear can rise about the spread of COVID-19. Concern for friends and family who live in places where COVID-19 is spreading is common.
- Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch or meditate.
- Connect with others via phone or online visits. Share your concerns and how you are feeling with a friend or family member. Keep healthy friendships and a sense of hope and upbeat thinking.
- Share the facts about COVID-19 and its risk to others. If you have returned from a place where COVID-19 has spread (more than 14 days ago) and do not have any symptoms of the virus, please distance yourself. Do not put others at risk.
- For more information, see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) suggestions for mental health and coping during COVID-19.
- CDC general information on COVID-19
- WHO general information on COVID-19
- CDC information on travel
- CDC videos on COVID-19
- CDC print resources
For more information and travel alerts, please visit cdc.gov.