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What You Need to Know About the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
By Aetna
What You Need to Know About the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
COVID-19 testing is a covered benefit for Medi-Cal enrollees. You should not pay for testing. If you are asked to pay out of pocket, please contact Member Services at 1-855-772-9076 (TTY:711) so we may direct you to a location where you will not be charged.
If you live in San Diego County, you can find more information here.
In Sacramento County, click this link for more information.
CVS Health is actively monitoring the global coronavirus outbreak, including guidance from trusted sources of clinical information such as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO). Below is information about the virus, tips for staying healthy and a few procedures that CVS Health has implemented that focus on the health and safety of our colleagues, customers and patients. For more information about the virus, please visit the CDC and/or WHO websites dedicated to this issue.
*The content below is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
For general information about COVID-19, including symptoms, spread and prevention, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
Protecting Yourself
How can you protect yourself or others from COVID-19?
Although there are currently no vaccines available to protect against human coronavirus infection, you may be able to reduce your risk of infection by washing your hands often, avoiding touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands, and avoiding close contact with people who are sick. To prevent infection, you must cover your nose and mouth when outside your home. Wearing a mask is required statewide in California because it can slow the spread of COVID-19 by limiting the release of virus into the air. If you have cold-like symptoms, as a courtesy to your co-workers and others, please remain at home while you are sick.
If you share a work station or equipment with others, consider wiping it down with disinfectant wipes after use.
For information about hand washing, see the CDC’s Clean Hands Save Lives website.
Visit the CDC’s dedicated website about How to Protect Yourself and Others.
For more information about masks, visit California’s COVID-19 Information website.
What should you do if you think you or someone else has contracted COVID-19?
Most people with common human coronavirus illness will recover on their own. Although there are no specific treatments for illnesses caused by human coronaviruses, you can take the following actions to help ease symptoms if you are mildly sick:
- Take pain and fever medications. Ask your pharmacist how they may interact with any medications you currently take. Caution: The CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend not giving aspirin to children.
- Use a room humidifier or take a hot shower to help ease a sore throat and cough.
- Drink plenty of liquids.
- Stay home and rest.
If you are concerned about your symptoms, please see your local health care provider.
How can I access COVID-19 testing?
Patients who have concerns that they may have been exposed to COVID-19 or may have symptoms of COVID-19 should be tested. You can find free testing locations for San Diego County using this link. If you live in Sacramento County, you can find free testing sites by clicking this link. You can also get a COVID-19 test at certain CVS MinuteClinic locations or CVS Retail pharmacies – click here to find one near you.
Does Aetna cover testing for COVID-19?
Aetna Better Health of California will cover the cost of testing for COVID-19. If you are not a member or are uninsured, you can find free testing sites using the links above.
CVS Actions
Local information & resources
Legal Aid Society of San Diego's Guide to San Diego County, City, And State Eviction Moratoriums Related to COVID-19: What Tenants and Landlords Need to Know
Where can you obtain more information?
You can find more information on COVID-19 at these links:
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
- https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/steps-when-sick.html
Aetna is working to protect you from COVID-19 scams. Do not respond if you get a call, text or email about “free” coronavirus testing. Do not give out your Aetna member ID number or other personal information. Please report any scams by calling 1-800-447-8477 or online at https://tips.oig.hhs.gov/. You can also call Aetna Member Services by calling the phone number on the back of your ID card. If you are concerned about your COVID-19 symptoms, please contact your PCP or Aetna Member Services to arrange an appointment.
You can find more information and COVID-19 resources by visiting Aetna’s COVID-19 FAQs page.