Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)

Medical Plan Updates: 11/15/2021

 

Kaiser Permanente (Kaiser)

  • Kaiser is hosting a one-hour webinar to discuss the recent COVID-19 vaccine updates, mandates, and testing. Specifically, the webinar will provide the latest information on boosters and vaccine approvals for children; how mandates have been successful in the past; and the availability of more home tests, wider use of antigen testing, and the differences in test options.
    • The webinar is scheduled for Monday, November 29, 2021 at 1:00p.m. and members can register at:

https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/3502225/306E6D1E34068D90D33FECAC2B80FF92

Based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendation of a low-dose Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5 to 11, Kaiser has begun to receive the Pfizer vaccine for this age group. The vaccine comes in a lower dose and with smaller needles than those used for ages 12 and older. Like the vaccine for the other age groups, it will be given in two doses, 21 days apart. Members can visit org/covidvaccine to schedule an appointment.

 

UnitedHealthCare (UHC)

  • UHC provided members with the following things to know about the COVID-19 vaccine:
    • The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized COVID-19 vaccines for emergency use for individuals 12 years and older and approved one vaccine for those 16 years and older.
    • FDA authorized the use of Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson boosters for individuals 18 years and older, based on certain criteria.
    • COVID-19 infection rates, including those within an entire household, continue to increase. It is recommended by the CDC, that everyone who can get an FDA-authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine should receive one.
    • COVID-19 vaccines are an important step in slowing the spread of the disease and providing protection from serious illness and hospitalization, related to the virus.
    • There are several COVID-19 vaccines in late stage clinical development in the U.S. and globally. FDA-authorization is pending the status of trials and submission of data for emergency use.

 

Cigna

  • As a part of their ongoing COVID-19 podcast series, Cigna’s latest nine-minute podcast addition focuses on vaccine mandates and implementing workplace policies to ensure regular testing among unvaccinated employees. The podcast can be found at:  https://www.cignaondemand.com/COVID/?social.

 

Anthem Blue Cross

  • No update provided

 

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The Department of Human Resources (DHR) works closely with the County-sponsored medical plans available to our employees, and receives regular updates concerning the COVID-19 crisis.  Watch this page for weekly news, as well as any urgent updates on how to get treatment and new recommendations concerning social distancing, self-quarantine, and more.