Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)

Medical Plan Updates: 12/21/2020

 

Anthem Blue Cross

  • No update provided

 

Kaiser Permanente (Kaiser)

  • Kaiser provided members with an update on what is currently known about the COVID-19 vaccines and what to expect in the near future. Information included the following:
    • In every market, Kaiser has been approved as one of the vaccine providers that will receive limited quantities of the COVID-19 vaccine. Kaiser will administer the initial vaccines to populations prioritized by the state health departments and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
    • Members will not be charged for COVID-19 vaccine administration
    • COVID-19 vaccine supplies will increase over time and all adults should be able to get vaccinated by the end of 2021

 

 UnitedHealthCare (UHC)

  • UHC provided members with information on what they should know about the COVID-19 vaccine. Information included the following:
    • The COVID-19 vaccine is for emergency use for people age 16 and over, and will require two doses, given three weeks apart
    • The COVID-19 vaccine will initially have limited availability, with the first doses administered to health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities. As vaccine supplies become more available, essential workers (emergency workers, utility workers, teachers, etc.) followed by adults with certain medical conditions and people age 65 and older will receive the vaccine by late January or February.  It is expected that the vaccine will be more available in the spring to mid-year time frame
    • To determine when they are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, members can visit https://www.uhc.com/health-and-wellness/health-topics/covid-19/vaccine/state-health-departments to confirm state health guidelines and vaccine providers

 

 Cigna

  • With the recent issuance of the COVID-19 vaccines, Cigna provided members with an update on what to expect from them in the weeks and months ahead. Cigna will…
    • Provide information about vaccine safety and efficacy
    • Send communications throughout the different phases of availability
    • Attempt to address and eliminate healthcare disparities related to COVID-19 vaccinations
    • Continue offering COVID-19 vaccines and administration at no out-of-pocket cost to members
    • Inform members about vaccine options in their community
    • Apply to the CDC and state health department to obtain vaccines on behalf of members
    • Work with vendors to better understand if, and when, COVID-19 vaccine events could be held

 

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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.