COVID-19 Updates

COVID-19 Resource Center

As the situation with COVID-19 changes, we’ll continue to keep you updated on how to access the care, resources and support you need during this time.

If you have questions about your benefits plan, call the number on your health plan ID card. You can also call our 24/7 advice nurse at 1-800-288-2264, TTY: 711.

Looking for a testing center? Talk to your primary care provider or other health care professional if you think you need COVID-19 testing. Diagnostic tests can help you understand if you might currently have COVID-19.

• Nevada Health Response: Find COVID-19 testing in Nevada     
• Use our testing locator to find a diagnostic testing center near you.

As we continue to look at ways to support our members, we are posting updates to our COVID-19 response here. Please check this page often. Many of the below are time-limited, temporary benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Latest updates on COVID-19. Subject to change.

UPDATES

• COVID-19 vaccines: Get information about COVID-19 vaccines and your coverage.
• COVID-19 testing: Testing for COVID-19 is important to slowing the spread of COVID-19. We encourage you and your health care provider to use FDA-authorized tests. There are two types of COVID-19 tests:
• Diagnostic tests determine if you are currently infected with COVID-19. There are two types of these viral diagnostic tests: nucleic acid amplification and antigen tests.
• Antibody tests, also known as serology tests, may determine if you might have been infected with the virus. According to the FDA, antibody tests should not be used to diagnose a current infection.

Medically-appropriate COVID-19 tests have $0 cost-share during the national public health emergency period, currently scheduled to end April 10, 2023. Medically-appropriate COVID-19 tests must be FDA-authorized or approved, and be ordered or reviewed by a health care professional to either 1) diagnose if the virus is present in a person due to symptoms or potential exposure, or 2) help in the treatment of the virus for a person. This coverage applies to in-network and out-of-network tests for Individual and Employer-sponsored health plans.

Benefits for other tests or services received at the time of the FDA-authorized or approved COVID-19 test will be reviewed in accordance with the member’s health plan.

Sierra Health and life health plans generally do not cover COVID-19 surveillance testing, which is testing used for public health or social purposes such as employment (return to workplace), education, travel, or entertainment. If your doctor or other health care professional provides a prescription or order for the over-the-counter COVID-19 test as part of clinical care, you may submit a claim for reimbursement with both the prescription and detailed receipt to Sierra Health and Life.

If you think you might have COVID-19 or may have been exposed to the virus, talk to your network health care provider. If you have questions about your benefits plan, call the number on your health plan ID card.

• COVID-19 at-home testing coverage: For members with a Sierra Health and Life Individual or Employer-Sponsored health plan, recent updates to Federal guidelines may allow you to purchase over the counter (OTC) at-home COVID-19 tests at little or no cost to you during the public health emergency period. Learn more about how to get OTC at-home COVID-19 tests.
• COVID-19 testing-related services: You will have $0 cost-share (copay, coinsurance or deductible) for COVID-19 testing-related services via in-person or telehealth visits during the national public health emergency period, currently scheduled to end April 10, 2023. This coverage applies to in-network and out-of-network visits for Individual and Employer-sponsored health plans. Benefits will be reviewed in accordance with the member’s health plan.
• COVID-19 treatment: If you get sick with COVID-19, your health care provider may prescribe treatments. For COVID-19 treatment, cost-sharing will be according to the member's benefit plan. You will be responsible for any copay, coinsurance, deductible or out-of-network costs. This coverage applies to Individual and Employer-sponsored health plans.
• Telehealth visits with your local providers: Sierra Health and Life is committed to helping you get the care you need outside of the doctor’s office with telehealth visits.

Sierra Health and Life Individual and Employer-sponsored plans:

• Cost-share for COVID-19 testing-related telehealth visits: For COVID-19 testing-related telehealth visits, you will have $0 cost-share with in-network and out-of-network providers through the national public health emergency period, currently scheduled to end April 10, 2023.
• Cost-share for COVID-19 treatment via telehealth visits: Coverage for in-network and out-of-network telehealth services related to COVID-19 treatment will be determined by your benefit plan. You will be responsible for any copay, coinsurance, deductible or out-of-network costs, according to your benefits plan.
• Coverage for telehealth visits not related to COVID-19: Members may have telehealth visits from their home with their network providers. Coverage for in-network and out-of-network telehealth visits not related to COVID-19 will be determined by your benefits plan. You will be responsible for any copay, coinsurance, deductible or out-of-network costs, according to your benefits plan.

24/7 advice nurse: Call 1-800-288-2264, TTY 711 for assistance in determining your best care option. You may be directed to have a telehealth visit, urgent care visit or make an appointment with your primary care provider.

Our parent company UnitedHealthcare has a COVID-19 website to help members better understand available services and resources. Within the website there are links and services that may be different for Sierra Health and Life (SHL) members. Please note:

• For telehealth, visit NowClinic.com or download the NowClinic app.
• The online member center is available by signing in on our plan website

Additional COVID-19 Information:

How to Protect Yourself and Others

Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the latest information on COVID-19 and how to protect yourself and others.

Information on 24/7 virtual visits

Learn how to enroll in 24/7 virtual visits (with same-day medication delivery option in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Henderson)

 

 

The information is a summary and is subject to change.

State variations and regulations may apply during this time. Benefits will be otherwise reviewed in accordance with your health plan.