USFHP Update March 16th 2020

Helping You Stay Informed and Healthy

As your partner in health, we want to help our Martin’s Point US Family Health Plan members stay informed as the COVID-19 situation develops over the next weeks and months. Through these update emails we will share simple, practical, and up-to-date advice about COVID-19 that will help keep you and your family well. We will all need to remain flexible and stay informed so that we can respond effectively to keep our community strong and healthy.

THINGS TO DO

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT COVID-19 TESTING: The availability of COVID-19 testing kits and testing facilities are still in short supply in most places. Most providers are currently only testing patients for whom confirmation of COVID-19 is critical for their care.

PLEASE CALL YOUR DOCTOR/HEALTH CARE FACILITY FIRST if your visit is related to COVID-19.

They will need to plan ahead if you need a visit with your doctor. Your call will allow them to protect you and others from the potential spread of disease.

• If you feel ill with a cough and/or fever, we recommend that you stay home and CALL your doctor’s office for advice.
• If you have reason to believe you may have COVID-19 and need to see a doctor, please CALL the facility first for further instructions.

ELECTIVE PROCEDURES AND COVID-19

If you are currently scheduled to receive an elective procedure – either inpatient or outpatient – we encourage you to consider delaying this to a later time. Limiting exposure and controlling the spread of COVID-19 is essential at this time. Please contact the office of the physician conducting the procedure to determine whether rescheduling is feasible and appropriate timing.

ROUTINE APPOINTMENTS FOR ALL PATIENTS

• In order to limit your potential exposure to COVID-19, some providers may begin to reschedule all routine appointments for all patients. This may include routine appointments for patients who are over the age of 65 and/or have a chronic illness including heart disease, chronic lung disease, diabetes, immunosuppression, cancer, end stage kidney disease. Please contact your primary care provider to determine if rescheduling is appropriate for you.

US FAMILY HEALTH PLAN WALK-IN SERVICE CLOSED AT ALL MARTIN’S POINT LOCATIONS

• In order to limit exposure to COVID-19, we are closing our US Family Health Plan walk-in service until further notice.
• For member needs, please contact our US Family Health Plan Member Services team at 1-888-674-8734.

THINGS TO KNOW

• COVID-19 is a viral illness that is spread person to person, just like the cold or flu virus.
• The virus is spread from the nose, eyes, and mouth or from hands that carry respiratory droplets.
• Hand washing and social distancing can help you avoid catching the virus.
• With COVID-19, older adults (over the age of 60) or those with chronic illness are most at risk if they catch the illness. If you are older than 60 or you have chronic illness, try to avoid contact with anyone who may be sick with or has been exposed to COVID-19.
• While healthy young adults and children may become infected with COVID-19, they are the least likely to become seriously ill. However, even mildly ill younger adults and children with COVID-19 symptoms need to avoid other people so that they do not cause potential spread of infection.

Thank you for understanding these simple facts and taking practical measures to help prevent the spread of this coronavirus in our community.

Heather Mullen, Chief Operating Officer

Dr. Jonathan Harvey, Chief Medical Officer