X
GO

Political News

An update for CalPERS Health Members

Posted 4 years 11 days ago ago by Jamee Villa   
Good afternoon Valued Stakeholder,

 

 

CalPERS

 

An update for CalPERS Health Members

Dear Valued CalPERS member:

I know that many of you are aware of widespread community disruption, event cancellations, and school closures due to COVID-19, and it is only natural that you may have questions about how the disruptions may impact your CalPERS health care coverage. I wanted to update you on actions we are taking to ensure you receive the highest quality health care during these challenging times. 

CalPERS continues to be in daily contact with state and local public health officials and government agencies in order to track and coordinate our response to COVID-19. Based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, we have taken the following actions:

 

  • Up-to-date COVID-19 information has been posted out our CalPERS website. This information will be kept current as long as COVID-19 remains a risk to our members. It includes helpful updates about prevention, screening, and access to care during the COVID-19 epidemic.
  • We've engaged our health plans to ensure members have access to the care they need. We’ve had regular calls with our health plan leaders to ensure that our health plans are well prepared to provide excellent service to all of our members.
  • We've asked our health plans to provide information regarding COVID-19 testing and treatment on their websites. We encourage you to visit your plan’s website for the latest information and protocols. 
  • We have ensured that CalPERS members will not have to pay anything out of pocket for screening and testing of COVID-19. This applies to members in both our Health Maintenance Organization and Preferred Provider Organization plans.
  • We have been coordinating with our Pharmacy Benefit Manager, OptumRX, so members have access to medications they need. While we do not anticipate any interruptions to prescription medications, we are working closely with our pharmacy partners to ensure you receive your medications timely. It’s a good idea to fill your prescriptions through your plan’s mail-order service, especially during this time. There is no additional cost for delivery and most orders arrive in 2 to 4 business days. For more information, contact your health plan.

 

People at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19 are encouraged to limit outings, avoid large gatherings, telecommute if possible, and stay home if they are sick. This population includes older adults, individuals who have compromised immune systems, and individuals who have serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease. For more information on how to protect yourself and your family, visit the California Department of Public Health.

If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, including fever, cough or shortness of breath, and believe you may have been exposed, you should call your health care provider or local health department before seeking care. Contacting them in advance will help you get the care you need without putting yourself or others at risk.

We appreciate your cooperation and patience during this challenging time, and we will keep you posted on further CalPERS developments.

Sincerely,

Marcie Frost
Chief Executive Office
CalPERS

 





CalPERS Pension Buck