Dear Member, the blog post below makes several references to COVID-19 benefits that will no longer be in effect as of May 11, 2023, due to the end of the federal public health emergency. While the emergency declaration will be ending, it is important to follow the recommended health and safety guidelines around COVID-19 as it still has a presence in our communities. If you have any questions about your coverage and which COVID-19 benefits still apply, please reach out to our team below:
- Group and Individual Plans: 888-977-9299
- Medicare Plans: 888-863-3637
- OHP Medicaid Plans: 800-431-4135
- TTY: 711. We accept all relay calls.
As PacficSource monitors the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19), our aim is to keep you informed while creating ways to help curtail spread and optimize access to care. PacificSource is waiving members’ out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 testing, diagnosis, and treatment.
PacificSource continues to remain in close contact with healthcare providers, state coronavirus response teams, and health agencies in preparation to respond to the needs of members, employers, and providers.
Because our priority is your safety and well-being, we will continue to follow the standards and recommendations from state health authorities in addressing the impact of the disease.
Actions we’re taking to respond to the virus
In our effort to remain vigilant, the following is a summary of PacificSource COVID-19 provisions:
- PacificSource will eliminate out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 testing, testing-related visits, or treatment for our members at out-patient care sites (including primary care, urgent care and emergency rooms).
- PacificSource will allow members a one-time early refill for prescription drugs. (Vaccination—when it becomes available—will also be offered at no cost to members.)
- PacificSource providers have been instructed to not collect copay/coinsurance or deductibles for visiting and testing services related to COVID-19.
- Plans are in place to continue to serve members and other groups in the event of closures or other workplace disruptions.
Precautions to prevent exposure
What you can do to protect yourself and your family:
- Clean your hands often: Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (or use hand sanitizer as an alternative).
- Avoid touching your face.
- Use a tissue as a barrier when touching high-touch surfaces such as rails and door handles.
- Disinfect your frequently used objects (such as your phone).
- Avoid handshaking, crowds, and non-essential travel.
For more tips on projecting yourself and your family, go here.
If you’re feeling ill
- Stay home.
- Wait at least 24 hours after a fever has subsided before returning to work or leaving home.
- Call your doctor’s office if symptoms are persistent or turn severe.
How to get care
- Call your primary care provider first before going in
- Call our nurse line at (855) 834-6150, TTY (844) 514-3774
- For members who have Teledoc as part of their plan, call (855) 201-7488
Advice and tips to avoid the virus
Because information is key to prevention, please take a moment to watch a video presentation that features Dr. Edward McEachern, executive vice president and chief medical officer of PacificSource.
It’s important to know the facts.
Information is available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. For more scientific information, go here.
PacificSource is continuing to follow standards and recommendations from the state health authorities in addressing all issues surrounding the coronavirus with the goal of keeping our members and the community informed and healthy.
Information on these blog pages reflects what is current for its posted date. Because of the nature of the COVID-19 disease and outbreak, please monitor this blog daily for new information.
Just learned Humana gave me bad information about Covid test kits. They also are sending their medicare advantage customers to the Federal Government website for Covid at home test kits. I learned that Republican Senators voted against allowing Medicare/Advantage/Medicaid people from benefiting from the new rule. People blame Biden, but the truth is it is the Republican Senators that are making it impossible for seniors to get at home test kits and reimbursement under the new rule. It is Republicans who are forcing Biden and the Democrats to create the website as a work around.Amazing the GOP would rather make life harder and more dangerous for seniors than give Biden a success. Politics STINK!
Don’t know why you have to be so nasty…but you are mistaken. Medicare and Medicare Advantage folks (people over 65) were definitely not able to buy over the counter Covid test kits and could not get reimbursed (or get them for free) between Jan. 15 and April 4, 2022. Seniors could only get tested through their doctor’s office or had to pay the full price for kits they purchased without a prescription. When i posted on Jan. 14, ONLY people who had employer-based or private insurance could go to pharmacies and get free test kits and that was because Republicans voted to exclude seniors from the free OTC test program. In response to this problem, Biden then offered some free kits to be MAILED to all households including to seniors, and so that is how I got my test kits. When i posted my comment, it was before Biden’s workaround was available and Government tests were mailed out to seniors. Since then another vote was taken and as of April 4 now seniors on Medicare or Medicare Advantage plans with Part B coverage also are able go to a pharmacy and get over the counter kits and get reimbursed, or get them for free. So please check your facts and the dates before you post such hostile responses. Perhaps you are not on Medicare or Medicare Advantage yet. If you are younger than 65 maybe you didn’t know that different rules applied to seniors, or perhaps you are just rude. I think an apology on your part is warranted.
Re: New Jan. 15, 2022 Covid test kits rule. Why is Pacific Source Medicare Advantage plans requiring seniors to get COVID at home test kits through the Federal Government website? Most other medicare advantage providers are allowing members to submit claims for self-purchased kits without requiring a doctor’s order.Some (Humana) are even mailing them from the company’s own pharmacy at no cost to members! Pacific Source is making getting home test kits much harder for seniors. Very disappointed.
Thanks for mentioning how you should disinfect the items you use often. I can see that this can help you get rid of contaminants. I think getting tested can also help you know the proper course of action in this coronavirus age.
The CDC recommends staying home for 72 hours after you are fever free!!! This is terrible spreading misinformation like this.
This helps me worry less. Thank you
why don’t you just list the symptoms in this message and the corresponding email? Just saying that one could go back out in public 24 hours later is also probably poor advise in this situation don’t you think? Don’t assume people know the symptoms just because this has been going on for awhile. One more comment on prevention – the detail about how long to wash your hands is great but you should indicate water temp because my understanding is water doesn’t need to be hot and I can see water resources being wasted while everyone waits for hot water to wash. Thanks for waiving the costs and the prevention tips.
Thank you for setting a wonderful example! Very helpful, indeed.
Very helpful. Thank you