Your Coverage for COVID-19

Screening and Testing Guidelines and Coverage

COVID-19 screening and testing guidelines. Get the latest information:

• California
• CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Get tested, if necessary. There is no cost to you for the COVID-19 screening, test or associated services (e.g., the doctor office visit to receive the test). If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, you will need to pay the applicable copay or coinsurance for care related to treatment of the illness.

Learn about vaccine distribution. Following the U.S. government’s approval and rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, UC has been closely tracking the state’s efforts to vaccinate residents. As you may know, California’s vaccine distribution strategy is frequently changing as the state works to distribute and administer vaccine doses as quickly as possible. Stay up to date about COVID-19 vaccinations.

Treatment Options and Costs

Options

If you start to feel sick, call your doctor before you go. If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, including fever, cough or shortness of breath, and believe you may have been exposed, call your health care provider or local health department before seeking care. Contacting them in advance will help ensure you can get the care you need without putting others at risk. Be sure to let the doctor know if you’ve been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19, or have recently been to an area where the virus has spread.

Costs

The COVID-19 test and associated services will be covered at no cost to you even if you. The costs below represent what you’ll pay for treatment if you test positive for COVID-19.

PPO

• At a UC Medical Center: $15 copayment for doctor’s office visits and $250 copayment if you are hospitalized.
• From an Anthem PPO network provider: $15 copayment for doctor’s office visits and 10% if you are hospitalized. The deductible will be waived.
• Out-of-network: 30% after deductible

HMO

• At a UC Medical Center or Anthem HMO network provider: $10 copayment for doctor’s office visits and nothing if you are hospitalized.
• Out-of-network: You pay the entire cost for visit or hospital stay.

Telehealth and Virtual Care

By Telephone and Video Chat

Use telehealth and virtual care to connect with a doctor or nurse 24/7. Consider LiveHealth Online for an online visit with a board-certified doctor.

Pharmacy Benefits

Rest easy with more flexible pharmacy benefits. You can refill most prescriptions early. Anthem is relaxing prescription refill limits where permitted for members who wish to receive a 30-day supply of most maintenance medications early. Consider getting a 90-day supply by having your prescriptions mailed or delivered. Ask about your pharmacy’s mail or delivery options. Many large chains are currently offering this service at no cost. Or transfer prescriptions to the Anthem mail order service.

Emotional and Social Support

If you need someone to talk to. The New York Life (formerly Cigna) Life Assistance Program is available during these trying times. You and members of your household can get three face-to-face sessions with a behavioral counselor at no cost. Call (800) 538-3543 to request a referral. Learn more [PDF].

Visit cignalap.com for a variety of articles and resources, including those about family, care giving, pet care, aging, grief, balancing, working smarter and more.

If you need to chat with someone now. Get unlimited text-based support from behavioral health coaches anytime, anywhere through the Ginger app. With Ginger, you also have behavioral coaches, self-care resources, and video-based therapy and psychiatry services at your fingertips. All UC residents and fellows, and their dependents, who are age 18 and older and enrolled in a UC medical plan, are eligible to use Ginger.

COVID-19 Mental health resource hub. We have joined with Psych Hub, a free digital hub to help our members with the stress resulting from COVID-19. This hub brings together a variety of resources to help members cope with social isolation, job loss and mental health issues.

Aunt Bertha social support services. During this time, we understand members may need help with food, housing, job training, transportation and other social support. We’re partnering with Aunt Bertha to connect individuals and families to social services in their communities. Members can access these services by visiting Aunt Bertha and entering their ZIP code.

Faculty and Staff Assistance Programs. Assistance programs offer free, confidential resources for emotional health, with several on-campus options.