Public Health Emergency Ends May 11, 2023
Coverage for At Home Tests
As of July 1, 2023, over-the-counter COVID-19 home test kits will no longer be covered by your benefit plan.
COVID-19 is a disease that causes respiratory illness in people and can spread from person to person. People of all ages can be infected. Older adults and people with pre-existing medical conditions like asthma, diabetes, and heart disease may be more likely to become severely ill if infected.
- Wash your hands thoroughly and often. Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Wear a face covering/mask when in public and/or around others who do not live in your home if you are not fully vaccinated
- Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze by coughing/sneezing into your elbow.
- Promptly dispose of tissues in a wastebasket after use.
- Clean public surfaces thoroughly.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Avoid shaking hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Get a flu vaccine.
Coverage for Testing, Treatment and Vaccinations
As of July 1, 2023, COVID-19 home test kits are no longer covered by your benefit plan. The treatment of COVID-19 is covered and member cost sharing will apply. Please refer to your Plan Documents for network and cost sharing details.
NOTE: Out-of-network providers may balance bill the member. This means they may charge you for any difference between the maximum amount allowed by QualChoice and the amount they charge for the care. Discuss balance billing with your provider if choosing out-of-network care.
Telehealth Services
QualChoice encourages members to schedule virtual doctor visits—by smartphone or other video-capable device*—when appropriate, in place of face-to-face office visits**. This also applies to care not related to COVID-19.
*Any type of connection may be used.
**Providers should follow state and federal guidelines regarding performance of telehealth services including permitted modalities.
Yes. When medically necessary treatment ordered and/or referred by a licensed health care provider will be covered. Please refer to Plan Documents for member cost sharing.
NOTE: Out-of-network providers may balance bill the member. This means they may charge you for any difference between the maximum amount allowed by QualChoice and the amount they charge for the care. Discuss balance billing with your provider if choosing out-of-network care.
- Physician’s/Practitioner’s Office
- Independent Laboratory/Diagnostic Facility
- Urgent Care Facility
- Emergency Department Facility
NOTE: Out-of-network providers may balance bill the member. This means they may charge you for any difference between the maximum amount allowed by QualChoice and the amount they charge for the care. Discuss balance billing with your provider if choosing out-of-network care.
Fully vaccinated is considered two weeks past final dose, meaning the second dose of the Moderna or Pfizer mRNA vaccine, or, two weeks past the single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.
If you are fully vaccinated and have a known exposure to someone with COVID-19, the CDC says that you may refrain from quarantine and testing if you are asymptomatic. It is recommended to continue to monitor for symptoms for 14 days.
As of July 1, 2023, the treatment of COVID-19 is covered and member cost sharing will apply. Please refer to your Plan Documents for network and cost sharing details for vaccines.
NOTE: Out-of-network providers may balance bill the member. This means they may charge you for any difference between the maximum amount allowed by QualChoice and the amount they charge for the care. Discuss balance billing with your provider if choosing out-of-network care.
- Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch or meditate.
- Connect with others. Share your concerns and how you are feeling with a friend or family member. Maintain healthy relationships and a sense of hope and positive thinking.
- Share the facts about COVID-19 and the actual risk to others. People who have returned from areas of ongoing spread more than 14 days ago and do not have symptoms of COVID-19 do not put others at risk.
- For more information, see the CDC’s suggestions for mental health and coping during COVID-19
We want you to be aware of the tools available to help you identify the COVID-19 virus and care for your patients during this time of heightened concern. New information, obtained daily, will further inform the risk assessment, treatment options and next steps.
- Ask patients complaining of fever and lower respiratory illness about known, suspected or potential COVID-19 exposure.
- Instruct symptomatic patients with known, suspected or potential COVID-19 exposure to wear a surgical or isolation mask and promptly place the patient in a private room with the door closed.
- Healthcare personnel encountering symptomatic patients with known, suspected or potential COVID-19 exposure should follow contact precautions, airborne with N95 precautions, and wear eye protection and other personal protective equipment.
- Refer to the CDC criteria for a patient under investigation for COVID-19. Notify local and/or state health departments in the event of a patient under investigation for COVID-19. Maintain a log of all healthcare personnel who provide care to a patient under investigation.
- Monitor and manage ill and exposed healthcare personnel.
- Safely triage and manage patients with respiratory illness, including COVID-19. Explore alternatives to face-to-face triage and visits as possible, and manage mildly ill COVID-19 cases at home, if possible.
- Be alert for patients who meet the criteria for persons under investigation and know how to coordinate laboratory testing.
- Review your infection prevention and control policies and CDC's recommendations for healthcare facilities for COVID-19.
- Know how to report a potential COVID-19 case or exposure to facility infection control leads and public health officials. Contact your local and/or state health department to notify necessary health officials in the event of a person under investigation for COVID-19.
- Refer to the CDC and the World Health Organization for the most up-to-date recommendations about COVID-19, including signs and symptoms, diagnostic testing and treatment information.
The Public Health Emergency (PHE) is ending May 11, 2023. If you have questions or would like to speak to one of our customer service representatives, please call us at 1-800-235-7111 (TTY: 711) at 1-800-228-7111 (TTY: 711). Thank you for your continued partnership in helping our members live better.
The Public Health Emergency is ending May 11, 2023. Please refer to QualChoice's medical policies and member I.D. card for cost sharing details. If you have additional questions, please contact QualChoice at 1-800-235-7111 or 501-228-7111.
Vaccine Information
Learn when and where to get the shot in Arkansas. Find out more about the benefits of getting the vaccine benefits and its safety.
vaccine is the best protection against getting and spreading the coronavirus. It can help protect other family members who cannot get vaccinated or are at greater risk
for health problems.
More Resources
For more information, including travel advisories, please visit cdc.gov.
- CDC General Information on COVID-19
- WHO General Information on COVID-19
- CDC Information on Travel
- CDC Videos on COVID-19
- CDC Print Resources
For information on the outbreak in Arkansas:
- Arkansas Department of Health COVID-19 information page
- UAMS Online Screening
- For screenings or questions regarding COVID-19, you can now call the UAMS Health hotline at 1-800-632-4502.
- For patients less than 18 years old, call 1-800-743-3616 to speak with an Arkansas Children’s pediatric nurse. Nursing staff will be available for questions and phone screenings 24 hours a day, seven days a week.