Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates and resources

Due to COVID-19, you don’t need to do anything at this time to recertify your or your child’s health insurance. Your or your child’s benefits will be automatically extended. You will get a new notice when it’s time to renew again. Call our Retention department at 1-844-885-1004 for any life change events.

If you receive health benefits from the state, they may contact you from time to time with important information. If you have moved or changed addresses, update your information by visiting nystateofhealth.ny.gov.

COVID-19 vaccines are available now to people age 12 and up. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized several COVID-19 vaccines. They are working quickly to assess data in younger age groups.. Learn more here.

No. Your COVID-19 vaccine does not cost you anything.

The vaccines went through the FDA’s review process meeting their standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing. Hundreds of millions of people have received the vaccine since mid-December 2020. The FDA, CDC, and vaccine manufacturers continue to monitor their safety and quality. So far, serious safety problems are very rare. If you are fully vaccinated, you can go back to doing many activities you did before the pandemic.

COVID-19 vaccines have been used under the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history. This included robust studies in adolescents. The vaccines met the FDA’s rigorous standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality.

Many children with COVID-19 have mild or no symptoms. But some children have become severely ill from COVID-19. Some have needed hospitalization, intensive care, or a ventilator to help them breathe. Children who have COVID-19 and no symptoms can still spread the virus to others.

To find a COVID-19 vaccine site near you:
•    Visit vaccines.gov.
•    Text your ZIP code to GETVAX (438829).
•    Call 800-232-0233 (TTY 711) from 8 a.m. to midnight Eastern time.

Your primary care provider can answer any questions about COVID-19 vaccines. You can also learn more from the CDC.

Medicaid: If you have Medicaid with us, you can activate your online account to receive updates on COVID-19 vaccines.

Medicare: If you have Medicare with us, you can activate your online account or download the Sydney app from Google Play™ or the App Store®.

The vaccines cannot make you sick with COVID-19 because they do not contain the virus. It is normal to have mild side effects to most vaccines. This means your body is responding to the vaccine by making antibodies.

No vaccine is 100% effective against any virus, but the COVID-19 vaccines come close. In clinical trials, they were about 95% effective in preventing COVID-19 infection and reduced the risk of severe illness. The data we have today shows they are effective against variants found to date, as well.

Yes. Even if you have already had COVID-19, you could still benefit from the vaccine. You can talk to your primary care provider to see what they recommend. According to the CDC, the vaccines are safe and effective.

It is an airway and lung infection. It is similar to the flu.

Similar to the flu, but often more serious. Mild to severe fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, and nausea or vomiting are just some of the common symptoms. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after being around someone who has COVID-19.

The best way to prevent infection is to get a COVID-19 vaccine when it is available to you. Check the CDC website for up-to-date information
If you are traveling, visit cdc.gov for the CDC’s most current guidelines.

• Wear a face covering over your nose and mouth, especially if you are not vaccinated.
• Keep 6 feet between yourself and others. 
• Washing your hands is the best way to avoid getting sick. Wash often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If you cannot use soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Clean and disinfect items and surfaces you touch often with regular household cleaning spray or a wipe.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue. Then throw away the tissue.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Older adults, people with disabilities, and people with diabetes or who have severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung, or kidney disease seem to be at higher risk for more serious COVID-19 illness. We will support you and help you get the care you need.

If you are caring for someone, be sure visitors take care to avoid causing any extra risk to you or them. Get vaccinated, keep hand sanitizer by the door, and ask visitors to wash their hands. Wash your hands thoroughly and use hand sanitizer before and after touching or feeding someone, or touching any mobility devices or equipment.

You should check with state and local guidance on masking requirements. Here is what the CDC says about face coverings.

Call your doctor if you develop a fever, have a cough, or have a hard time breathing. Tell them if you have been in close contact with a person who has COVID-19. Also tell them if you live in or have been to an area where the virus has spread.

Your plan will pay for telehealth visits with your doctor. If you cannot reach your doctor, call 24/7 NurseLine 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at the number on your ID card.

If you have a plan with us, you do not have to pay anything for the COVID-19 test or the doctor visit to get the test. The visit and test are covered whether you get care in a doctor’s office, urgent care center, or pharmacy. You should avoid going to the emergency room for a COVID-19 test since there are many other locations that can provide you with a test. Use our testing locator to find a site near you.

No, prior authorization is not required for COVID-19 testing. 

You should try to see your primary care provider or a doctor in your plan. If your doctor offers telehealth visits, your plan will pay for those, too. 

We will pay for care you get from doctors outside your plan (called “out of network”) as long as the services are medically needed.

No. If you have health benefits from us, your plan covers sick visits and tests.

If you have medicines you take regularly, call the Pharmacy Member Services number on your member ID card to find out about your options.

Your health is important. Try to keep taking your medicines as prescribed, and try to get your refills on time.