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Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates and resources

Last updated: October 12, 2021

New information about COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) comes out every day. We want to make sure you have the latest information about your benefits, how to get the care you need, and how to find local help and resources.

COVID-19 Vaccines

Vaccines for COVID-19 are proven to be safe and work well against the COVID-19 virus. You do not have to pay for COVID-19 vaccines. You can find a vaccine site and plan for your COVID-19 vaccine in one of these ways:

  • Visit vaccines.gov.
  • Text your ZIP code to GETVAX (438829) for help scheduling your COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Call 800-232-0233 (TTY 711), and someone will help you make an appointment.
Schedule your COVID-19 vaccine now
Learn more about Florida's COVID-19 vaccine response

Activate or log in to your online account to stay up to date on the latest information.

Find a COVID-19 test site

Use this tool to quickly find testing sites near you. Just enter your state and county.

Find a COVID-19 test site

 

See more COVID-19 FAQs at the bottom of the page.

Focusing on your health

These short-term changes have been put in place to make it easier for you to focus on your health and those you care about.

If you receive health benefits from the state, they may contact you from time to time with important information. If you have moved or changed addresses, update your information by visiting myflorida.com/accessflorida.

The state has extended the deadline to renew due to COVID-19. We’re still encouraging you to renew on time, if you can. Please renew soon so you don’t lose your Medicaid benefits. To renew, either log in to your log in to your MyACCESS account, mail your paperwork back or call the Department of Children and Families at 1-866-762-2237.

An appeal is when you ask us to review a decision about your health services. If you do not submit your appeal on time and are badly impacted by COVID-19, Clear Health Alliance will make an exception to the timely filing requirement of 60 calendar days. We will review your appeal per normal guidelines instead.

If you take medicines often, you may be able to get a 90-day supply at the pharmacy retail store or mailed to you until further notice. Call the Pharmacy Member Services number on your ID card to learn about your options.

If you have any questions about your benefits, we’re here for you. Call Member Services at the number on your member ID card, or log in to your account to send us a send us a secure message

Receiving the care you need

See a doctor without leaving home

Telehealth is a doctor visit through video chat or over the phone. It allows you to take care of your health while keeping you and others safe. Your plan will pay for telehealth visits with your doctor. If you can’t reach your doctor, call 24-hour Nurse HelpLine 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at the number on your ID card.

livehealth

LiveHealth Online

With LiveHealth Online, you can video chat with a primary care or urgent care doctor 24/7. It’s an easy way to get care anytime, day or night, without leaving home.

Go to LiveHealth Online
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Beacon Health Options

When you or your family need behavioral health services, you can video chat with a behavioral health provider 24/7 at no cost to you with Beacon.

Go to Beacon

Take care of your mental health

You might be feeling anxious or stressed with all of the information about COVID-19. Taking care of your mental health is more important than ever.

If you need to speak with someone right away, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline 24/7 at 800-985-5990.

You can also learn about resources from the SAMHSA.

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CommonGround

The CommonGround Library offers members free plans and tools through 28 Learning Tracks to help you manage symptoms and deal with daily hardships of recovery. You must log in to the secure site to review them.

Go to the CommonGround Library
Emotional Well-Being

Emotional Well-being Resources

Change your mind, change your life.
Reduce stress, be more self-aware, and learn to cope with change. This online resource is here to help you take care of your emotional health.

Log into your account to get started
HeartwithPulse

Psych Hub

Psych Hub offers free online resources and videos to help you manage stress, talk to children about coronavirus, cope with job loss and other COVID-19 challenges.

Go to Psych Hub

Finding resources you may need

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Free or low-cost services near you

Use our Community Resource Link for local help finding food, housing and other things you might need.

Search now

Free smartphone from SafeLink Wireless®

SafeLink offers free smartphones with data, texts and minutes to those who qualify. Use your phone to keep up with important information, use telehealth services, and stay in touch with family and friends.

Go to SafeLink

FAQs

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COVID-19 vaccine

COVID-19 vaccines are available now to people ages 12 and up. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized some COVID-19 vaccines and is working quickly to approve others. Learn more.

COVID-19 vaccination will help keep you from getting COVID-19. Many thousands of people across the United States took part in research trials over many months. These trials show the FDA whether a vaccine is safe and effective, which it must be certain of before it will authorize or approve a vaccine for public use.

Researchers studied vaccine reactions and potential side effects throughout the trials. Their studies will continue after the vaccine receives approval. The FDA, CDC, and vaccine manufacturers will continue to monitor safety and quality.

Your primary care provider can answer any questions about COVID vaccines. You can also learn more from the CDC.

If you have Medicaid benefits with us, you can activate your online account to get updates on COVID-19 vaccines.

Download the Clear Health Alliance mobile app:

Yes. Even if you’ve already had COVID-19, you could still benefit from the vaccine. You can talk to your primary care provider to see what they suggest. The CDC also has information about the benefits of the vaccine.

Learn more about COVID-19

An airway and lung infection, like a cold.

Like a cold or the flu. Mild to severe fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after being around someone who has COVID-19.

The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus. Check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at cdc.gov/coronavirus for up-to-date information. If you are traveling, visit cdc.gov for the CDC’s most current travel guidelines. 
 
Good health habits can also help prevent and fight COVID-19. Here are some tips:

  • Wear a face covering over your nose and mouth if you are not vaccinated.
  • Social distance by keeping six feet between yourself and others.
  • Wash your hands, which is the best way to avoid getting sick. Wash often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If you can’t use soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
  • Clean and disinfect items and surfaces you touch often. Use regular household cleaning spray or a wipe to clean.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, and throw away the tissue.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Avoid touching your face.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Older adults, people with disabilities, and people with diabetes or who have severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung, or kidney disease are not at higher risk of getting COVID-19, but may be at higher risk for more serious COVID-19 illness. We will support you and help you get the care you need.
 

There is limited data right now to suggest the COVID-19 disease course in persons with HIV differs from that in persons without HIV.  What we do know is:

  • People with HIV are not at higher risk of getting COVID-19.
  • People with weakened immune systems, like people with HIV, may be at higher risk for more serious illness if they do get COVID-19.
  • Persons with HIV who have a low CD4 cell count and who are not on HIV treatment may be at higher risk for complications if they contract the virus.

HIV FAQs

Learn more from the CDC about HIV and COVID-19.
 

If you’re caring for someone, visitors need to take care to avoid causing any extra risk to you or them. Ask visitors to wash their hands, or keep hand sanitizer by the door for them to use. Wash your hands well and use hand sanitizer. Do this before and after touching or feeding someone, or touching any mobility devices or equipment.
 

You should check with state and local guidance on masking requirements. You can learn what the CDC says about face masks.
 

Call your doctor if you get a fever or have a cough or have a hard time breathing. Tell them if you’ve been in close contact with a person who has COVID-19. Also, tell them if you live in or have been to an area where the virus has spread.

Your plan will pay for telehealth visits with your doctor. If you can’t reach your doctor, call 24-hour Nurse HelpLine 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at the number on your ID card.

If you have a Medicaid plan with us, you do not have to pay anything for the COVID-19 test or the doctor visit to get the test. You can get a visit or test in a doctor’s office, urgent care center, or pharmacy. You should avoid going to the emergency room for a COVID-19 test. There are many other locations that can provide you with a test. Use our testing locator to find a site near you.

No, you do not need prior authorization for COVID-19 testing.  

You should try to see your primary care provider or a doctor in your plan. If your doctor offers telehealth visits, your plan will pay for those, too.

You can also video chat with a doctor from your smartphone, tablet or computer. Use LiveHealth Online 24/7 to see a primary care or urgent care doctor. Use Beacon Health Options 24/7 to see a behavioral health provider at no cost to you.

We will pay for care you get from doctors outside your plan (called “out of network”) as long as the services are medically needed.
 

No. If you get Medicaid benefits from us, your plan covers sick visits and tests.
 

If you have medicines you take regularly, call the Pharmacy Member Services number on your ID card to find out about your options.

Your health is important. Try to keep taking your medicines as prescribed, and try to get your refills on time.

Clear Health Alliance recognizes the role that testing plays in slowing the spread of COVID-19. Medically necessary, FDA-approved COVID-19 tests are covered by CHA during this national public health emergency. CHA will cover COVID-19 tests ordered or reviewed by a healthcare professional to:

  1. Check a person that has or may have been exposed.
  2. Help in treatment.

CHA usually does not cover COVID-19 testing used for public health or social reasons, such as jobs (returning to work), schooling, travel, or entertainment. Medically necessary COVID-19 tests are defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.