Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advisory

Last Updated: October 11, 2023

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates - October 2023

Visit the links below to learn more about vaccine schedules and how to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advisory

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in China and which has now been detected in almost 70 locations internationally, including in the United States. The virus has been named "SARS-CoV-2" and the disease it causes has been named "coronavirus disease 2019" (abbreviated "COVID-19"). IEHP will continually update you on the latest recommendations, news, and resources on COVID-19 as it becomes available.

 

COVID-19 Symptoms and Members Care

For a complete list of COVID-19 symptoms and step-by-step Member direction, visit our COVID-19 Member page.

 

COVID-19 Therapeutics Available for Members

In an effort to provide the most up-to-date treatments against COVID-19, IEHP continues to maintain a list of providers, including but not limited to infusion clinics, ancillary, hospital and non-hospital based infusion centers offering COVID-19 infusion therapy treatment. Under all Member coverage, outpatient COVID therapeutics will be offered immediately after a Member is determined to be clinically eligible under and Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).

 

For more information, Providers can utilize the COVID-19 Therapeutics Clinical Consult Line to connect with other clinicians for a free and confidential consultation on COVID-19 testing and treatment: 1-866-268-4322 (1-866-COVID-CA).

 

List of Infusion Sites

Test-To-Treat

COVID-19 Vaccine Reimbursement for Medi-Cal Providers

DHCS has carved out the COVID-19 vaccine from Medi-Cal managed care health plans and will reimburse providers under the Fee-for-Service (FFS) delivery system for both medical and pharmacy claims. Medi-Cal will reimburse the associated COVID-19 vaccine administration fee at the allowable Medicare rate for all claims (medical, outpatient, and pharmacy), based on the number of required doses for all Medi-Cal beneficiaries.

 

For further information:

How Vaccines Build Immunity

While the COVID-19 vaccines are relatively new - the technology and science behind the vaccines have been in development for decades. In the video below, we demonstrate how years of vaccine research and advanced technology allowed researchers and scientists worldwide to be prepared to develop an mRNA vaccine that could help fight the spread of a global infectious disease.

 

FIND A TESTING AND VACCINATION SITE NEAR YOU TODAY!

 

Registrations encouraged but not required for:

 

The CDC recommends everyone ages 6 months and older get vaccinated against COVID-19 as well as a booster for everyone 5 years and older, if eligible. For more information, visit the Riverside Country Vaccine webpage.

  • Teenagers 5 to 17 years old must register for a vaccination clinic that offers the Pfizer vaccine and be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian or present a signed written consent from a parent/legal guardian and be accompanied by an adult.
  • The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines can only be given to individuals age 18 years and older.
  • Johnson & Johnson Fact Sheet (PDF) | Spanish - Published April 26, 2021 

 

The CDC recommends everyone ages 6 months and older get vaccinated against COVID-19 as well as a booster for everyone 5 years and older, if eligible. For more information, visit the San Bernardino County Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccination web page

 

Walk-ins are now available at County-operated vaccination sites. Walk-in individuals will not need to bring any additional information to the site, however be prepared to register on site, which will include answering health screening questions.

 

Walk-ins may experience longer wait times and availability may vary based on site demand. 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

cdc

CalVax

CalVax is a state-wide centralized system for health care Providers enrolled or interested in participating in the California COVID-19 Vaccination Program, developed by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

 

The new CalVax platform will provide a system to manage vaccine enrollment, ordering, inventory, administration, reporting and data analytics. Training materials such as job aids, videos, and recorded demos will be available to support all system users as they navigate through the new CalVax platform (mycavax.cdph.ca.gov). 

 

CA Notify

ca-notify

 

• CA Notify Flyer in English (PDF) and Spanish(PDF)
• CA Notify Shareable Tools for web and social media
• CA Notify Website

 

Financial Assistance Resources

  • U.S. Small Business Administration. Borrowers may be eligible for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness. See if you're eligible here.

 

Guidance Regarding Monoclonal Antibody Treatment for COVID-19

Even with decreasing cases and hospitalizations, those with high-risk conditions who have tested positive for COVID-19 are encouraged to get monoclonal antibody treatment at Riverside University Health System (RUHS) – Medical Center.

 

In January, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) limited the use of certain monoclonal antibody therapies that were ineffective against the omicron variant. In response, RUHS – Medical Center is administering sotrovimab, an IV infusion shown to be effective against omicron and other variants.

 

quest-diagnostics
labcorp

 

For more information, please visit Quest Diagnostics FAQs

If you do not have the ability to collect specimens for COVID-19, please refer to your County Public Health resources for guidance on directing Members for testing.  

Telehealth

IEHP is strongly encouraging the utilization of telehealth for visits that can be conducted over the phone or via other audiovisual telecommunications.  IEHP has published a telehealth FAQ which is available here: Telehealth Services Due to Limiting Exposure to COVID-19 (PDF)- October 17, 2022

 

Remember:

  • IEHP Provider Telehealth Information (PDF)
  • IEHP expects that Providers will offer telehealth services and support to their Members during their published business hours. 
  • Existing authorizations are valid and do not need to be changed even if services are being provided via telehealth.
  • You can request a POS 02 or POS 10 on your authorization however if you do not, you can still utilize the authorization for telehealth services even if a different POS was approved. When billing the claim for the service, you will utilize a POS 02 or POS 10.
  • ONLY Services that are deemed clinically appropriate to provide via telehealth should be provided via telehealth. If there are treatments, exams, procedures or other services that cannot be provided via telehealth, those are not eligible to be provided via telehealth. 

 

Provider Resources for Combatting COVID-19 Fatigue

  • ACEs Aware - Support for those on the front lines as California addresses stress and anxiety related to COVID-19

 

Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and California Department of Public Health (CDPH) COVID 19 Response

Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)

California Department of Public Health (CDPH)

The California Department of HealthCare Services (DHCS) has published a COVID-19 response page with guidance for Providers and Partners, Home and Community Based Services and Behavioral Health.

 

Found Here: DHCS COVID‑19 Response | DHCS COVID-19 Medi-Cal FAQs

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) also has a page with new guidance documents and additional resources and news releases.

 

Found Here: CDHP COVID-19 Updates

 

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

 

 

San Bernardino Medical Society

San Bernardino County Medical Society

 

The San Bernardino County Medical Society promotes the science and art of medicine, the care and well-being of patients, the protection of the public health and to promote the betterment of the medical profession. The latest news, research and developments on the COVID-19 outbreak for physicians can be found here: SBCMS COVID-19.

 

2-1-1 San Bernardino County Resource & Information Guide

 

2-1-1 San Bernardino County has curated a COVID-19 Resource & Information Guide and will update this page regularly as the situation changes. For more information, please click here.

 

Correspondences

 

For additional resources regarding COVID-19, please visit:

 

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader 6.0 or later to view the PDF files. You can download a free copy by clicking here.