TeamCare answers your Coronavirus questions
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Updated June 8, 2023
For information on how our partner organizations are responding to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, click here.
TeamCare is working with our frontline medical professionals and vendor partners (BCBS, Caremark, Teladoc, and Quest Diagnostics) to best protect the health of our members. Although the situation is constantly changing, we would like to provide answers to the most frequent questions:
What if I feel sick? TeamCare will ensure all members receive the care they need. According to the CDC, if you have a fever or any kind of respiratory difficulty such as coughing or shortness of breath, you should seek treatment. Physician visits and services provided during the medical visit are covered under the benefit levels of your specific plan. Please log in and refer to your Plan Benefit Profile under the My Plan Documents tab on the My Documents page for more information. Testing for COVID-19 is covered under the member’s Lab Benefit or Major Medical Benefit. There are different avenues of care for treatment:
- Teladoc: Telemedicine is a highly effective method to evaluate and treat respiratory flu-like symptoms from the comfort of home while minimizing exposure to potentially contagious viruses. Teladoc physicians are available by phone or video 24/7 to help evaluate risk and provide support. If a higher level of care is determined to be necessary by the physician, Teladoc will navigate patients to the appropriate resource (primary care physician, hospital, etc.). There is no cost to the member for using Teladoc. More information is available on Teladoc.com/TeamCare.
In an effort to provide additional access to doctors during this pandemic, telemedicine is available through our other network vendors (BCBS and CVS). Telemedicine services through these vendors will be covered by TeamCare under the Major Medical benefit of your specific plan. Please log in and refer to your Plan Benefit Profile under the My Plan Documents tab on the My Documents page for more information.
- CVS MinuteClinic®: There is no office-visit copay for members who get care at any CVS MinuteClinic. If a patient presents symptoms of a lower-respiratory tract illness (e.g., cough, shortness of breath), MinuteClinic will evaluate the patient’s other relevant health factors to determine their risk of exposure to COVID-19. MinuteClinic visits may include a recommendation of further consultation with a primary care physician to determine if a higher level of care and testing is required. At this time, there is not a point-of-care test available for COVID-19 in ambulatory care settings such as MinuteClinic. For your nearest MinuteClinic® location, call 866-389-2727 or visit minuteclinic.com.
- Primary Care Physician: According to the CDC, members who wish to get treatment with their primary care physician should call the office in advance and explain the symptoms over the phone before going to the doctor’s office. This helps prevent the further spread of the illness. Please log in and refer to your Plan Benefit Profile under the My Plan Documents tab on the My Documents page for more information.
If COVID-19 testing is recommended, does TeamCare cover testing?
COVID-19 diagnostic testing provided through the QuestSelect network will continue to be covered by TeamCare at no-cost to members. COVID-19 diagnostic testing not provided through the QuestSelect network will be covered under the outpatient lab benefit after the Plan Deductible is met. Please refer to the corresponding Plan Benefit Profile for the appropriate benefit level. Over-the-counter COVID-19 tests are no longer covered by the Plan.
If I have been diagnosed with COVID-19, does TeamCare cover treatment for the virus?
Yes. As with any illness, TeamCare will cover all medically necessary care and treatment under the specific benefit levels of your Plan. Please log in and refer to your Plan Benefit Profile under the My Plan Documents tab on the My Documents page for more information.
If I am off work due to COVID-19, do I qualify for short-term disability benefits from TeamCare?
Please log in and refer to your Plan Benefit Profile under the My Plan Documents tab on the My Documents page to see if your plan includes Short-Term Disability coverage. Short-Term Disability benefits are intended to help you while you are off work due to an illness or injury. If you voluntarily stay home from work without being directed to do so by a physician, you will not qualify for Short-Term Disability. Short-Term Disability benefits are not payable if during the period of your illness, you are receiving compensation (paid leave) from your employer. Short-Term Disability benefits are also not payable if you are on a layoff, leave of absence, or are terminated.
If I have been diagnosed with COVID-19, will TeamCare provide short-term disability benefits?
Yes, if your plan includes Short-Term Disability coverage. Please log in and refer to your Plan Benefit Profile under the My Plan Documents tab on the My Documents page for more information. You and your treating physician must complete the Short-Term Disability Claim Form. If you are receiving compensation (paid leave) during this period from their employer, Short-Term Disability benefits will not be payable.
If I have been told to self-quarantine, will TeamCare provide short-term disability benefits?
TeamCare no longer provides Short-Term Disability benefits for COVID-19 quarantine periods.
If I am off work due to COVID-19, will my employer continue to make health contributions to provide coverage during this period?
Some employers are implementing a policy directly related to COVID-19 that requires health contributions for a defined period. In addition, most national collective bargaining agreements (UPS, ABF NMFA, YRCW, NMATA), have an employer-pay obligation that requires an employer to make health contributions for four weeks while an employee is off work due to an illness or non-work-related injury. Further, an employer may be required to pay contributions under the Family Medical Leave Act under certain circumstances. We recommend that you check this information with your employer/human resources department.
How will I get my prescriptions if I need to self-quarantine?
CVS Pharmacy is currently waiving charges for home delivery of prescription medications. More details available here.