Information from UnitedHealthcare on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Your health and your child’s health is important to us. We have a team of doctors, providers, and experts who are working with state and local health departments as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Our goal to help make sure you have the latest news about the Coronavirus (COVID-19). This includes what to do if you think you or your child has the Coronavirus (COVID-19) virus, what are the symptoms, when to call and go see your doctor or health care provider and who is most at risk for getting it. Important information to help you stay healthy is also covered by the CDC.
UnitedHealthcare promises to help protect you by helping you get access to the right care.
Important Information for Members from UnitedHealthcare on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19) are like an upper respiratory infection, which may include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
If you have the symptoms above and have been around someone who is infected, get medical attention. If you live in an area that has Coronavirus (COVID-19) and have symptoms, see or call your doctor or health care provider or go to the emergency room. It's best to call first and tell them that you think you have the virus.
Are you at higher risk?
The CDC says older adults have a higher risk of getting Coronavirus (COVID-19). Anyone, no matter how old the person is, who has a serious medical condition is also at a higher risk. Examples of serious medical conditions are heart disease, asthma, lung disease, and diabetes.
Resources for people with Medicare
The CDC recommends that those at higher risk take steps such as having extra supplies, avoiding crowds and staying home as much as possible. View ways you can take precautions now.
People at risk for serious illness
Older adults and people who have severe chronic medical conditions like heart or lung seems to be at higher risk for more serious Coronavirus (COVID-19) illness. View Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for Medicare members
UnitedHealthcare Will Cover Coronavirus (COVID-19) Testing and Visits Related to Testing
If you think you may have the Coronavirus (COVID-19) or if you have fever, are coughing or have trouble breathing, call your primary care doctor immediately. You may be asked to have a test to see if you (or your child) has the Coronavirus (COVID-19) virus. The test can be given at your doctor or provider's office, an urgent care center, an emergency room or hospital or through a telehealth visit.
This test - and visits related to testing - are covered by UnitedHealthcare at approved locations for insured Medicaid and Medicare members.
Access to telehealth
Telehealth or Virtual Visits give you access to health care providers without having to go into an office through FaceTime, Skype, Zoom or other apps and technologies.
24/7 and local Virtual Visits with certain telehealth providers: In person visits are needed to test and to treat COVID-19. Virtual Visits with local providers as well as providers not living in your area can help decide if you should be tested. These visits are also ideal for urgent care treatment of other illnesses, like the seasonal flu, allergies, pink eye and more.
UnitedHealthcare will cover Virtual Visits related to Coronavirus (COVID-19) for some Medicare Advantage and Medicaid members through June 18, 2020.
For other health related telehealth visits, your current health benefits plan applies through June 18, 2020.
To find out more, sign in to your health plan account.
If you need a medical visit, call your primary care doctor/ health care provider and ask about telehealth/ Virtual Visit options.
Early prescription refill
If you have an OptumRx pharmacy benefit and need an early prescription refill, you can ask for one through your pharmacy.
Pharmacy delivery is available through Optum Home Delivery by signing into your health plan account. Pharmacy delivery is also available through some pharmacies.
Additional resources for our members
- Access your health plan account: Sign in to your health plan account to find network health care providers, understand benefits coverage, manage prescriptions and more.
- Call UnitedHealthcare: If you have benefits questions, need help finding a primary care doctor/health care provider or want to talk to a nurse, call the phone number on your member ID card.
- Get emotional support: Call our emotional support line any time at 866-342-6892. This 24/7 Optum Help Line is staffed by professionally trained mental health experts. It is free of charge and open to anyone.
The CDC remains your best resource for Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The COVID-19 situation continues to quickly evolve. Go to the CDC for the latest information on COVID-19, including how to protect yourself and what to do if you are sick.
If you believe you might have been exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms such as fever, cough or difficulty breathing, call your health care provider right away. Only health care providers can order a COVID-19 test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Call your health care provider right away if you believe you might have been exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms such as fever, cough or difficulty breathing. Only health care providers can order a COVID-19 test.
You can find a network health care provider by signing in to your health plan account or by speaking with an advocate by calling the phone number on your UnitedHealthcare member ID card.
Only health care providers can order a COVID-19 test. Call your health care provider right away if you believe you might have been exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms such as fever, cough or difficulty breathing.
If your health care provider determines you should be tested for COVID-19 and orders the test, they should work with local and state health departments to coordinate testing.
For the test, a health care provider will need to collect a specimen (typically a nasal or throat swab), which should then be sent to a location approved in accordance with CDC guidelines.
UnitedHealthcare is waiving cost sharing for COVID-19 testing during this national emergency. And we are waiving cost sharing for COVID-19 testing related visits during this same time, whether the testing related visit is received in a health care provider’s office, an urgent care center, an emergency department or through a telehealth visit. This coverage applies to Medicare Advantage, Medicaid and employer-sponsored plans.
Care or treatment for COVID-19 will be covered in accordance with your health benefits plan. Your deductibles, copays and coinsurance will apply.
Local, state and federal government agencies, as well as health care providers, are working to increase access to testing, while limiting exposure among the population. This includes mobile and drive-up specimen collection locations. You will still require a medical provider order for the test, unless otherwise directed by your respective government agency.
Yes. Our UnitedHealthcare advocates are here to answer your COVID-19 health benefits questions, help you find a health care provider or connect you with a nurse. Just call the phone number on your member ID card.
Additional Questions
More information on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Updated information from the CDC
CDC's Share the Facts and Situation Summary
Workplace, school and home safety
View ways you can keep the workplace, school and your home safe from infection.
Watch a video below
[Gentle background music plays while text introductions appear on the screen]
COVID-19
What are Coronaviruses?
[Narrator:] Coronaviruses are a family of common viruses that can cause illness in both animals and people.
[Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)]
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome are two well-known coronaviruses.
In January of 2020, the World Health Organization announced a new coronavirus, now called COVID-19, which caused an outbreak of respiratory illness in the city of Wuhan in China’s Hubei Province.
We’re still learning about how this virus spreads, and rely on the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization for guidance.
Here’s what we know about COVID-19:
How does COVID-19 spread?
Currently, it is thought that it spreads mainly through respiratory droplets that are coughed or sneezed into the air by an infected person.
It may also spread when an individual touches an infected surface and then touches his or her mouth, nose or eyes.
What are COVID-19 Symptoms?
COVID-19 symptoms may be similar to a respiratory infection.
Primary symptoms may include: fever, cough and shortness of breath.
Some people, the elderly or the immune-compromised, may experience complications including pneumonia and overwhelming infection, known as sepsis.
How to help protect against COVID-19.
To best protect yourself from this coronavirus:
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Clean and disinfect frequently-touched surfaces, including your phone and computer.
Cover your nose and mouth with tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash immediately.
For updated information, guidance and travel alerts, visit the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the World Health Organization.
UnitedHealthcare will continue to actively monitor public health resources to ensure we respond appropriately to the needs of our customers and members.
Disclaimer: Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). https://www.cdc.gov/ World Health Organization (WHO). https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
Disclaimer: The benefits described on this website describe federal requirements and UnitedHealthcare national policy, additional benefits may be available in some states and under some plans.
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