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COVID-19 Resource Center

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Individual & Family
and Employer Group Plans

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

We know these are challenging times, and want you to know that we remain deeply committed to supporting you to get care and protect your overall health and wellbeing.

STAY INFORMED

Update your email address and choose the email option under Helpful Information to stay informed on COVID-19.

Information About Benefits and COVID-19

Anthem will cover the COVID-19 vaccine. Anthem members won’t have out-of-pocket costs for the vaccine during this national public health emergency. This applies to all members, regardless of the type of health plan they have or which doctor or healthcare professional they choose to visit for COVID-19 vaccination. Please visit VaccineFinder to find COVID-19 vaccines by ZIP Code, vaccine brand, and availability status.

COVID-19 diagnostic testing

Anthem covers COVID-19 diagnostic tests for all members with no out-of-pocket costs.

Diagnostic tests, under the direction of a medical clinician, show whether or not someone has COVID-19. Diagnostic tests are for people who have symptoms of COVID-19. They also are for people who have no symptoms but know or suspect that they have recently been exposed to someone who has COVID-19.

 
COVID-19 screening

In compliance with California state law, some Anthem plans cover COVID-19 screening with no out-of-pocket costs. If you're not sure whether your plan covers COVID-19 screening, please call the Member Services number on your ID card.

Screening tests show whether or not someone has COVID-19. They are for people who have no symptoms of COVID-19 and no known or suspected exposure to people who have COVID-19.

 

Ordering free at-home test kits from COVIDtests.gov

Every home in the U.S. can order four at-home COVID-19 tests at no cost. The over-the-counter tests give results within 30 minutes. Visit COVIDtests.gov to order your free test kits.

 

Ordering at-home test kits from Anthem

COVID-19 testing remains an important part of keeping our families and communities safe. Anthem is offering at-home test kits, for eligible members, at no cost for a limited time to make COVID-19 testing more convenient.

At-home test kits from Anthem:

  • Are FDA-authorized.
  • Arrive in 1 to 2 business days.
  • Show results in 10 minutes.
  • Are for diagnostic testing.

At-home test kits are available to eligible Anthem members for a limited time. The type of plan you have determines whether you’re eligible to order an at-home test kit from Anthem.

Log in to find out whether you’re eligible to order an at-home test kit from Anthem. If you are, you’ll be able to place an order. If you are not, please use our Test Site Finder to learn about options near you.

If you have questions about your COVID-19 benefits, please call the Member Services number on your ID card.

 

Over-the-counter COVID-19 tests

You can be reimbursed for over-the-counter COVID-19 diagnostic tests starting on January 15, 2022. You do not need a doctor’s order for the over-the-counter diagnostic test. Reimbursement is available only during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

  • Save your receipts when you purchase over-the-counter COVID-19 diagnostic tests. You'll need to submit them when you apply for reimbursement.
  • Follow this link to submit a claim, or log in to the SydneySM Health mobile app, go to Claims, and choose Submit a Claim. If your employer has asked you to submit receipts to your pharmacy benefit plan, please don’t submit them here.
 

How can I find a COVID-19 testing location?

  • Use our Test Site Finder or the Sydney Health mobile app to find a COVID-19 testing location near you, including retail health clinics and community-based sites.
  • Schedule a COVID-19 test with your doctor.
If you have questions or would like help finding testing, please call the Member Services number on your ID card.

People who are diagnosed with COVID-19 may have long-term symptoms. Anthem case management nurses are ready to help coordinate care for long-term symptoms of COVID-19. If you’d like additional support, please call the Member Services number on your member ID and ask for an Anthem Case Management Nurse.

Effective March 1, 2020, we extended due dates for enrolling in a COBRA plan, paying past-due COBRA premiums, filing and appealing claims, and signing up for a health plan during a HIPAA Special Enrollment period.
 
The extension for due dates changed on March 1, 2021. For those individuals who were eligible for a due date suspension, normal due dates will resume one year from the date they first became eligible for relief (had a qualifying event) or 60 days after the government announces the end of the national public health emergency, whichever comes first.
 
If you need to take any of the actions listed above, please do so as soon as possible.
 
You can find additional information on the Department of Labor’s website at dol.gov, including "COVID-19 FAQs for Participants and Beneficiaries."

Many plans include telephone care benefits during this public health emergency.

Check your COVID-19 benefits by using the Sydney Health or Engage Wellbeing mobile app, logging into anthem.com/ca, or calling the Member Services number on your ID card.

Members can use Anthem’s Sydney Health mobile app for a quick and easy way to evaluate symptoms and see a doctor from home. Members can check their symptoms and connect with a doctor right from their phone. Download the Sydney Health app.

Members who have health questions can also call the Anthem 24/7 NurseLine at the number listed on their Anthem ID card to speak with a registered nurse.

Anthem is relaxing early prescription refill limits, where permitted, for members who have Anthem pharmacy benefits and wish to refill a 30-day supply of most maintenance medications early. Additionally, members who have a pharmacy plan that includes a 90-day mail-order benefit should talk to their doctor about whether changing from a 30-day supply to a 90-day supply of their prescriptions is appropriate. There are no delivery charges for members who use Anthem’s Home Delivery Pharmacy. Members can call the Pharmacy Member Services number on their health plan ID card to learn more.

Taking care of your emotional health is important during this stressful time. As an Anthem member, you have access to a wide range of online resources to help you and your family members address emotional health and life challenges.

Psych Hub offers resources to help with pandemic-related stress such as social isolation, coping with grief and loss, and other mental health issues.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

Navigate COVID-19 challenges like social isolation and job loss with a free mental health resource hub, powered by Psych Hub and supported by Anthem.

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Coronavirus is a type of virus that causes respiratory illness — an infection of the airways and lungs. COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus. It’s part of the same family of coronaviruses that includes the common cold.

The most common early symptoms appear between 2 and 14 days after being infected. Symptoms can be mild to severe. They include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

Right now, medical experts think that COVID-19 spreads from person-to-person through a cough, sneeze or kiss. However, since COVID-19 is a new disease, scientists around the globe are racing to learn more about it.

The best way to prevent infection is to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19. According to the CDC, vaccination prevents severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.  

Steps you can take to protect yourself and others from COVID-19:

  • Wear a mask.
  • Stay six feet away from others, avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. 
  • Cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue, throw the tissue in the trash, and wash your hands.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces like phones, keyboards, and doorknobs.
  • Monitor your daily health.

It’s best to follow the CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask. CDC information for household members and caregivers can be found here.

If you’re experiencing symptoms or if your doctor recommends a test, use our COVID-19 Test Site Finder to search your ZIP Code and find testing options near you. Call your doctor if you develop a fever, have a cough, or have difficulty breathing. And let them know if you’ve been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19, or if you live in or have recently traveled to an area where the virus has spread.

Some Anthem health plans include LiveHealth Online. It lets you see a doctor through live chat or video on your phone, tablet, or computer. If your plan offers LiveHealth Online, just log in at anthem.com/ca to use it. If you’re not sure whether your plan offers it, call us at the Member Services number on your ID. If it doesn’t, we can talk about your options.

No. Several recent media reports have focused on new and existing antiviral drugs being tested for use in treating COVID-19. None of these drugs is approved for use with COVID-19, and many are still being investigated. We’re monitoring developments in this area closely and will evaluate how benefits will cover treatments once treatments are approved.

We know how important it is to continue taking your prescriptions as directed by your doctor. You can get 90-day supplies of most prescription medicines, depending on your plan’s pharmacy benefits. This is a great time to think about changing any prescription medicines you take on a regular basis from a 30-day supply.

Talk to your doctor to see if a 90-day supply would work for you. You can even get them through home delivery pharmacy. If you have specific questions about the medicine you take, call the pharmacy services number on your member ID card.*

*Applies only for members with Anthem pharmacy benefits.

Anthem is committed to making sure you can get the care you need. We’re working closely with the doctors and other health care professionals in our plans to prepare for more calls and visits. If your doctor isn’t available for some reason, we’ll help you find alternate care. Go to the main page on anthem.com/ca to log in and search for a doctor, or call the Member Services number on your ID card.

Sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: About 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) (January 28, 2020): 
cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html

Helpful Resources

Stay informed by checking these resources for up-to-date information about COVID-19, especially if you’re thinking about traveling.

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