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  • COVID-19 Updates

Generations Advantage Update May 7th 2020

Message #5

May 7, 2020

Dear Martin’s Point Generations Advantage Member,

WE’RE HERE FOR YOU

As we continue to experience the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in our community, we want to assure you that we are here to support your health in every way we can. If you have a pressing or urgent medical issue, please don’t delay getting in touch with your primary care provider so they can talk through your symptoms and make sure you get appropriate care when you need it.

Below, you’ll find information that we’d like to share to help you stay up to date on COVID-19 developments and stay safe at home and in public.

If you have any questions about your coverage—COVID-19-related or otherwise—please don’t hesitate to call Member Services at 1-866-544-7504 (TTY: 711). We're available 8 am-8 pm, Monday through Friday. As always, and especially during these difficult times, we are here for you!

UPDATED STAY-AT-HOME ORDERS

MAINE: Governor Mills has extended Maine’s State of Emergency until Friday, May 15 and has issued a new “Stay Safer at Home” order in effect through May 31, 2020. Under the new order:

  1. Maine people should continue to stay at home except for already permitted activities, such as grocery shopping or exercising.
  2. New activities and business operation that are considered safe will begin to be allowed as of May 1.
  3. Wearing a cloth face covering is now required in public settings where physical distancing is difficult to maintain. (All visitors to Martin’s Point Health Care Centers are now required to wear a face mask.)

For more information, visit the State of Maine website.

NEW HAMPSHIRE: Governor Chris Sununu has extended New Hampshire’s State of Emergency until Friday, May 15 and has amended the stay-at-home order to remain in effect until May 31, 2020. “Stay at Home 2.0” universal guidelines and information regarding the gradual reopening of the economy are available at the State of New Hampshire website.

CDC ADDS TO COVID-19 SYMPTOM LIST

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) added new items to a list of COVID-19 symptoms. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus and can range from mild to severe.

People with these symptoms or combinations of symptoms may have COVID-19:

  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Or at least two of these symptoms:

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Repeated shaking with chills
  • Muscle pain
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • New loss of taste or smell

For information from the CDC about COVID-19 symptoms and when to seek emergency medical care, go to CDC: Symptoms of Coronavirus



IS IT COVID-19, FLU, A COLD, OR JUST MY SEASONAL ALLERGIES?

Spring is here and, unfortunately, it’s a time when colds and seasonal allergies are common and the seasonal flu is still present. With several overlapping symptoms, it’s natural to wonder if that cough, sneezing, and scratchy throat could be caused by COVID-19. To start, fever is a symptom that’s much more common with flu or the new coronavirus. Itchy eyes are most often a sign of seasonal allergies. Below you’ll find links to Cleveland Clinic and Harvard Medical School articles with more information that can help you understand the differences between the symptoms of these illnesses and take action, if needed. As always, please give your primary care provider a call if you are concerned about symptoms you may be having.


Cleveland Clinic: Is It Covid-19, a Cold, or Seasonal Flu?

Harvard Health Publishing: Allergies? Common cold? Flu? Or COVID-19?

MARTIN’S POINT WEBSITE: COVID-19 RESOURCE

For your convenience, COVID-19-related information for Martin’s Point patients, health plan members, and network providers is available on our website at MartinsPoint.org/COVID19

You can find additional information about COVID-19 at these websites:

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Maine Department of Health and Human Services

New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
 

Thank you for continuing to take steps to keep yourself and our community healthy.

Heather Mullen

Chief Operating Officer, Health Plans

Martin’s Point Generations Advantage is a health plan with a Medicare contract offering HMO, HMO-POS, HMO SNP, and Local and Regional PPO products. Enrollment in a Martin’s Point Generations Advantage plan depends on contract renewal.