CareOregon Advantage: Here for you through COVID-19 and beyond
CareOregon Advantage knows that you, our members, have many questions about COVID-19. We want to help you understand how to take precautions and how to access your benefits during this time. Health care providers are working hard to continue seeing patients, and your health is important to them.
COVID-19 vaccine
You may have heard the good news — the FDA approved a vaccine for emergency use. Studies have shown the vaccine is safe and effective. You may have questions about the vaccine. Here is what we know now:
- The Oregon Health Authority is creating a plan to deliver the vaccine in phases. You can learn more on their website by clicking here.
- It’s not yet known when people will receive the vaccine.
- If you have questions, you should talk directly with your provider.
- As we learn more, we will continue to update this page with more information and resources.
Keep getting the care you need
- Clinics are working hard to get you the care you need. Your primary care provider and the clinical teams in our network want to make sure you have access to physical, dental and mental health care and substance use treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinics are providing options including:
- Telephone and video appointments for new clients and ongoing services.
- In-person appointments, taking precautions to keep you and clinic staff safe.
- Call your primary care clinic to discuss your options. They will tell you what services are available, how you can see your provider and the best way to get care.
- Preventive and chronic care is especially important, and clinics are prepared to serve you. Contact your clinic to determine the best way to get care.
- Immunizations are vital, especially for kids under 2.
- Chronic condition care is more important than ever. Call your provider to manage your diabetes, asthma, substance use treatment or other conditions.
- For mental health and substance use treatment services, contact your clinic directly about how to get your needed supports. Many providers are holding appointments by phone or video, though some in-person visits are still available for those who need them.
- We know this is a difficult time. You are not alone. There are mental health and substance use treatment services available to you. Call us at 888-712-3258 to learn more.
- Dental offices are open and are taking steps to keep you and your family safe during COVID-19. Contact your dental clinic directly to find out what appointments are available.
- Elective procedures have resumed. Authorizations for these procedures have been extended until January 1, 2021.
- You still have access to our network. None of your benefits have changed, and we are still here to ensure that your physical, dental and mental health care needs are met.
Here are some important things to know about COVID-19:
- If you have symptoms of COVID-19, call your primary care provider. Symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Your provider can advise you on the best next steps, including how to get tested. For more information, click here.
- Who can get tested? Currently, providers are working with public health officials to determine whether or not people need to be tested, depending on the situation and the symptoms present. For more information, click here.
- Whenever possible, stay at home and practice social distancing. This is the most effective way to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- The Oregon Health Plan has created a Facebook page with helpful COVID-19 information in Spanish. Click here to see the page.
- Pandemic EBT: Oregon is giving grocery money to families while school is closed. All families who are eligible for free or reduced price school meals will soon get funds on an Oregon Trail EBT card. Immigration status does not matter for Pandemic EBT. If you already get SNAP or free school meals, the benefit will automatically be added to your EBT card. Make sure your school has your current mailing address. If you weren’t getting help before the pandemic, apply online for free school meals at ode.state.or.us/apps/frlapp. Apply for SNAP at govstatus.egov.com/or-dhs-benefits. If you qualify for either program, you’ll also get Pandemic EBT.
- If your provider orders it, testing — including testing for the COVID-19 virus and antibody testing — is a fully covered service.
Watch for scams
Unfortunately, some people will try to take advantage of the worry around COVID-19. Please be on the lookout for:
- Ads for vaccines or medications that promise to heal COVID-19 or keep it away.
- Emails that seem to be about COVID-19 that will add a virus to your computer from a link or attachment.
- Phone calls asking for personal information.
- People coming door to door offering testing or prescriptions.
- Offers to let you pay to put your name on a list to get the vaccine, or to get the vaccine early.
- Someone calling, texting or emailing promising access to the vaccine and asking you to share your personal or financial information.
If someone calls claiming to be from CareOregon and you’re not sure, hang up and call our Customer Service department. If we called you, we will have a record of the call. For more information about possible scams during this time, click here.
Contact Tracing Update:
Contact tracing helps public health officials determine who may have come into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) will be making contact tracing calls, and we want you to feel safe answering their calls. Your information will be treated as a confidential public health record and will not be shared with other agencies, including immigration officials. Contact tracers will ask for the following information:
- Name, date of birth and where you live
- If you need an interpreter for a language other than English
- Race, ethnicity, language and disability information
- If you have any symptoms of COVID-19
- If you need a place to stay or have other needs to help you stay at home
- If they can contact you to monitor your symptoms and needs
If a contact tracer can’t reach you, they’ll leave a voicemail and ask you to call back. You will NEVER be asked for your social security number, immigration status or financial information. If someone calls and asks for that information, hang up. They are not part of local or state contact tracing efforts.
Pharmacy updates:
- Refills: Medicare members can already fill for 90 days at a time. Please call your pharmacy if you need to refill your medications.
-
Mail order: If you would like to fill your medication using a mail-order pharmacy, please call the pharmacy directly. Our directory of mail-order pharmacies is available here, or you can contact Pharmacy Customer Service. You can also call your local pharmacy, as they may offer home delivery service.
-
Authorizations: If you have an approved pre-authorization that expires before the end of the year, check with your provider to see if the pre-authorization can be extended.
Interpretation access:
- If you speak a language other than English, we can help you get access to an interpreter. For phone interpretation, call our Customer Service at 888-712-3258 and we can help connect you to an interpreter.
Transportation options:
- Rides to appointments are still available. Drivers are taking precautions to keep you safe. Please call to ask about transportation options:
• Ride to Care: 855-321-4899
• TransLink: 888-518-8160
• NW Rides: 888-793-0439
Learn what benefits you can access to stay healthy at home.
Click here to learn more.
For helpful coronavirus facts from the Oregon Health Authority, click on your choice of language:
Continue reading to find answers to frequently asked questions about the coronavirus.
CareOregon Advantage: Here for you through COVID-19 and beyond
CareOregon Advantage knows that you, our members, have many questions about COVID-19. We want to help you understand how to take precautions and how to access your benefits during this time. Health care providers are working hard to continue seeing patients, and your health is important to them.
- Keep getting the care you need
- Your primary care provider and the clinical teams in our network want to make sure you have access to physical, dental and mental health care and substance use treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinics are providing options including:Telephone and video appointments for new clients and ongoing services.
- Clinics are working hard to get you the care you need. Your primary care provider and the clinical teams in our network want to make sure you have access to physical, dental and mental health care and substance use treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinics are providing options including:
- Telephone and video appointments for new clients and ongoing services.
- In-person appointments, taking precautions to keep you and clinic staff safe.
- Call your primary care clinic to discuss your options. They will tell you what services are available, how you can see your provider and the best way to get care.
- Preventive and chronic care is especially important, and clinics are prepared to serve you. Contact your clinic to determine the best way to get care.
- Immunizations are vital, especially for kids under 2.
- Chronic condition care is more important than ever. Call your provider to manage your diabetes, asthma, substance use treatment or other conditions.
- For mental health and substance use treatment services, contact your clinic directly about how to get your needed supports. Many providers are holding appointments by phone or video, though some in-person visits are still available for those who need them.
- We know this is a difficult time. You are not alone. There are mental health and substance use treatment services available to you. Call us at 888-712-3258 to learn more.
- Dental offices are open for urgent services and are working on plans to provide safe, regular dental care. Contact your dental clinic directly to find out what’s available.
- Elective procedures are starting to resume. Authorizations for these procedures have been extended until January 1, 2021.
- You still have access to our network. None of your benefits have changed, and we are still here to ensure that your physical, dental and mental health care needs are met.
Here are some important things to know about COVID-19: - If you have symptoms of COVID-19, call your primary care provider. Symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Your provider can advise you on the best next steps, including how to get tested. For more information, click here.
- Who can get tested? Currently, providers are working with public health officials to determine whether or not people need to be tested, depending on the situation and the symptoms present. For more information, click here.
- Whenever possible, stay at home and practice social distancing. This is the most effective way to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- The Oregon Health Plan has created a Facebook page with helpful COVID-19 information in Spanish. Click here to see the page.
- Pandemic EBT: Oregon is giving grocery money to families while school is closed. All families who are eligible for free or reduced price school meals will soon get funds on an Oregon Trail EBT card. Immigration status does not matter for Pandemic EBT. If you already get SNAP or free school meals, the benefit will automatically be added to your EBT card. Make sure your school has your current mailing address. If you weren’t getting help before the pandemic, apply online for free school meals at ode.state.or.us/apps/frlapp. Apply for SNAP at govstatus.egov.com/or-dhs-benefits. If you qualify for either program, you’ll also get Pandemic EBT.
- If your provider orders it, testing — including testing for the COVID-19 virus and antibody testing — is a fully covered service.
- Pharmacy updates:
- Extra medication: If you need extra medication, you can still get it. Medicare members can already fill for 90 days at a time. You can now fill your prescription early if you need to. Please call your pharmacy if you need to refill your medications.
-
Mail order: If you would like to fill your medication using a mail-order pharmacy, please call the pharmacy directly. Our directory of mail-order pharmacies is available here, or you can contact Pharmacy Customer Service. You can also call your local pharmacy, as they may offer home delivery service.
-
Authorizations: If you have an approved pre-authorization that expires before the end of the year, we are extending the expiration date by six months. You do not need to do anything — this will happen automatically for you if you qualify.
- Interpretation access:
- If you speak a language other than English, we can help you get access to an interpreter. For phone interpretation, call our Customer Service at 888-712-3258 and we can help connect you to an interpreter.
- Transportation options:
- Some rides to appointments are still available. Due to COVID-19, ride availability may be limited. Please call the transportation provider in your area to ask about service availability:
• Ride to Care: 855-321-4899
• TransLink: 888-518-8160
• NW Rides: 888-793-0439
- Learn what benefits you can access to stay healthy at home. Click here to learn more.
For helpful coronavirus facts from the Oregon Health Authority, click on your choice of language:
Continue reading to find answers to frequently asked questions about the coronavirus.
Click on a question to expand the answer.
-
A: Currently, providers are working with public health officials to determine whether or not people need to be tested, depending on the situation and the symptoms present. If you do need to be tested, your provider can take the sample and send it to their contracted lab for testing. You will be notified of the results when they’re available.
-
A: With cases in the United States increasing, everyone is at some risk of getting COVID-19. Older adults and people with existing medical conditions are at a greater risk. For the latest information about the risk and precautions in Oregon, visit the
Oregon Health Authority.
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A: Steps you would normally take to prevent the flu and the common cold can also help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
- If you know someone is sick, avoid contact with them. The coronavirus can spread between people about six feet from each other.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sleeve. Throw used tissues in the trash.
- Clean items in your home that are touched often. You can use wipes or sprays to disinfect.
- Wash your hands with soap and water often, for at least 20 seconds. Wash:
- After going to the bathroom.
- After coughing or sneezing.
- Before eating.
- Before touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap isn’t available.
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A: The CDC now recommends that people wear face coverings in settings where social distancing is difficult to maintain, like in grocery stores or pharmacies. If you have any symptoms of coronavirus or are in close contact with people who have symptoms, you should wear a face covering. The CDC has guidelines for homemade face coverings. If you need a professional-grade mask because you're sick or you're caring for someone who is sick, talk to your primary care provider.
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A: If you get your prescription refilled, we will extend your prescription to 90 days' worth of medication. CareOregon Advantage members also have access to mail order pharmacies — learn more here. If you have other questions or concerns about the medications you take, contact your prescribing provider or your pharmacist. They will help guide you on best next steps.
We are in close contact with the Oregon Health Authority and following CDC guidelines. Please check back on this page for the latest information.
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A: According to the CDC, there is no specific treatment for the coronavirus. Please contact your primary care provider if you have symptoms and think you need to be tested. Your primary care provider is the first person you should call.
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A: If you believe you have a medical need for these supplies, contact your primary care provider. We do not stock supplies or maintain a surplus.