COVID-19 101
During the COVID-19 pandemic, UCare is here to help you understand what you need to do to stay safe and get the care you need.
You can protect yourself and others from COVID-19
Wash your hands often
Cover your cough
Follow government and medical expert guidance on mask wearing and social distancing
Stay home and isolate when
• You feel sick or have symptoms
• If you've had contact with someone with COVID-19
Get the COVID-19 vaccine and booster
Have your kids get the COVID-19 vaccine when they are eligible
If you have one or more of the following symptoms, you might have COVID-19. It is important to go get tested if you have symptoms.
- Temp 100.4 or above
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Loss of taste or smell
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Get tested as soon as possible. Call your clinic or find a testing location near you on the Minnesota Department of Health website.
I tested positive for COVID-19
If you test positive for COVID-19, it is important to care for yourself, while also protecting your family and your community.
If you need emergency medical attention any time during the isolation period, call 911 and let them know you have been diagnosed with COVID-19. If you need to go to a clinic or hospital, do not use public transportation, taxis or ride-sharing services. For members who use UCare Health Ride, please call 1-800-864-2157 (TTY 1-800-688-8534), and we can arrange a safe ride for you.
Monitor your symptoms
Take your temperature regularly and pay close attention to any changes in your symptoms. Call your doctor or clinic with any concerns.
Download the UCare COVID-19 symptom tracker
Use a pulse oximeter
Ask your doctor or clinic for a pulse oximeter or purchase one at your pharmacy to monitor your blood oxygen level at home. Ask your doctor how best to use the pulse oximeter and what to do in case of low blood oxygen.
All UCare health plans cover pulse oximeters ordered by a doctor, and some plans also cover oximeters purchased over the counter. If you have questions, call the Customer Service number on the back of your UCare member ID card.
Get medical care if you have difficulty breathing
If you feel short of breath or have difficulty breathing, call your doctor or clinic. If these symptoms are severe, call 911, and let them know you have been diagnosed with COVID-19.
If you need to go to a clinic or hospital, do not use public transportation, taxis or ride-sharing services. For members who use UCare Health Ride, please call 1-800-864-2157 (TTY 1-800-688-8534), and we can arrange a safe ride for you.
Get plenty of rest
You may feel more tired than usual. Sleep and rest as much as you can.
Drink lots of fluids
Staying hydrated when you are sick helps your body heal. Focus on drinking water and other caffeine-free and alcohol-free liquids.
Maintain a healthy diet
Make sure you are eating plenty of fruits, vegetables and healthy sources of protein, carbohydrates and fats.
Get follow-up care
If your doctor gave you instructions to follow after your visit or hospital stay, be sure to follow them. If you continue to have symptoms, set up a telehealth or office visit with your doctor.
Isolate yourself
Stay in a separate room or isolate as much as you can. Use a separate bathroom if possible. Talk to your doctor about how long you will need to isolate yourself.
Wear a mask
When you cannot isolate from the people you live with, wear a mask. Make sure everyone you live with wears a mask as well.
Avoid sharing household items
Do not share food, dishes, utensils, towels, bedding or other household items with other people in your home. After using items, wash them yourself using soap and water.
Wash your hands often
Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol. Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
Clean shared surfaces
Clean frequently touched surfaces - like countertops, doorknobs, light switches and faucets - regularly with disinfectant cleaner.
Get vaccinated
If you have COVID-19 symptoms, wait to be vaccinated until you recover and have met the criteria for discontinuing isolation. If you do not have symptoms, wait until you meet the criteria for discontinuing isolation before getting vaccinated. This guidance also applies if you get COVID-19 before getting your second dose of vaccine.
Stay home
Do not go to work, school or anywhere outside your home. Stay home until all three of the following are true:
-
You feel better. Your cough, shortness of breath or other symptoms are better
and -
It has been 10 days since you started feeling sick
and - You have not had a fever and have not taken medication that lowers fever within the last 24 hours
Wear a mask
If you need to leave your home or answer the door, wear a mask.
Keep your distance
If you need to leave your home, be sure to keep six feet between yourself and other people.
Do not use public transportation
Do not use public transportation, ride-sharing (such as Uber or Lyft) or taxis if you need to go to a clinic or hospital.
For members who use UCare Health Ride, please call 1-800-864-2157 (TTY 1-800-688-8534), and we can arrange a safe ride for you.
Get vaccinated
If you have COVID-19 symptoms, wait to be vaccinated until you recover and have met the criteria for discontinuing isolation. If you do not have symptoms, wait until you meet the criteria for discontinuing isolation before getting vaccinated. This guidance also applies if you get COVID-19 before getting your second dose of vaccine.
I want to know what UCare covers for COVID-19
We’re helping to contain the spread of the virus by removing barriers to vaccinations, testing and care. As the COVID-19 situation changes, we’ll adjust our policies and coverage as best we can to protect our members and the community.
Your UCare plan will cover:
- Tests: For UCare members, copays, coinsurance or deductibles for doctor-ordered COVID-19 tests. To find a testing location near you, call your clinic or visit the Minnesota Testing Location website.
At-Home Testing
You can get at over-the-counter tests mailed to you:
- Go to the Minnesota at-home test request website - You can order four tests to be delivered to you at no cost from Minnesota state resources, while supplies last.
Members of PMAP, Connect, MnCare, and MSC+ can get up to eight FDA-authorized over-the-counter tests every 30 days, with a prescription, The tests must be:
- Ordered by a doctor or licensed provider
- Picked up at a participating pharmacy
- You should not pay out of pocket for COVID-19 tests because UCare is not allowed to reimburse this payment. If asked to pay for a test, tell the testing provider to bill UCare.
As of April 4, 2022, and until the public health emergency ends, Medicare members can get up to eight FDA-authorized over-the-counter tests every calendar month without a prescription.
To get these at-home COVID-19 tests:
- Buy at a Pharmacy – At participating pharmacies or health care providers, show your red, white, and blue Medicare card (not your UCare card) at the pharmacy counter. Pharmacies may be able to provide tests without this card. You can find a list of participating pharmacies here. If a pharmacy is not participating in this program offered by the federal government, you may be asked to pay for tests.
- If you purchase over-the-counter tests, reimbursement is not available. Medicare cannot process a claim for a COVID-19 over-the-counter test.
As of January 15, 2022, Individual & Family Plan members can get up to eight FDA-authorized over-the-counter tests every 30 days without a prescription.
To get your at-home COVID-19 tests, you have three options. Buy them at a:
- Pharmacy: Show your UCare ID card at the pharmacy counter (as you do when you pick up a prescription). You won’t have to pay anything.
Note: If your pharmacy can’t process this request or you pay for the tests yourself, you can ask to be paid back using option 2. - Retail outlet such as online, a gas station, etc.: Pay the full cost of the tests when you check out. Please download a Pharmacy Reimbursement Form, fill out member details, COVID test purchase information, sign, and mail or fax to Express Scripts using the contact information on the form. Be sure to include a copy of your receipt. UCare limits reimbursement to $12 for each test or the actual cost, if it is less than $12.
- Express Scripts Mail Order Pharmacy: Order COVID-19 tests online from Express Scripts Mail Order Pharmacy. You won’t have to pay anything. You can get to the Express Scripts Mail Order Pharmacy option through the UCare member portal or on the Express Scripts website. You’ll need to have or create an online account.
- Vaccines: For all members, copays, coinsurance or deductibles for FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines, including vaccine administration both in-network and out-of-network. Learn more.
- Test services: For all members, copays, coinsurance or deductibles for in-network clinic, urgent care, emergency room visit and certain other related services when you receive a COVID-19 test.
- Treatments: If you are sick with COVID-19, UCare will cover prescribed treatments according to your benefit plan. UCare will follow State and Federal guidelines regarding the coverage, cost-share, availability and distribution of authorized COVID-19 treatments.
- Medications: UCare encourages members to take advantage of 90-day fills of your maintenance medications (Medical Assistance members, please consult your formulary to identify eligible drugs). To reduce exposure to the virus, home delivery is available for Medicare (including MSHO and Connect + Medicare) and Individual & Family Plan members using Express Scripts Mail Order Pharmacy services. Home delivery services may also be available through your retail pharmacy.
- Hospital services: For Medicare and Medical Assistance members, copays, coinsurance and deductibles are covered when you receive in-network observation and inpatient hospital services to treat COVID-19 through the public health emergency.
- Supplies: Medicare plan members can use their Healthy Savings over-the-counter benefit to purchase preventive care items such as masks, gloves and hand sanitizers at participating stores. All UCare members can call the Customer Service number on the back of your member ID card to request no-cost masks, thermometers, hand sanitizers and pill boxes.
- Wages and non-health care costs: UCare cannot cover lost wages or non-health care costs you may experience as a result of COVID-19.
- International coverage: Vaccines, tests and services provided outside of the country are not covered. (EXCEPTION: For UCare Medicare Advantage plans, COVID-19 testing is covered if done as part of emergency or urgently needed care.)
How to connect with us during COVID-19
UCare is working closely with state leaders and public health authorities to keep our members, employees and communities safe.
UCare members
Call the number on the back of your UCare member identification (ID) card if you have questions about your plan or coverage.
For questions about COVID-19 or to get help scheduling a vaccine appointment, call the UCare COVID-19 vaccine hotline at 1-833-951-3189 (TTY 1-800-688-2534).
If you're looking for a health plan
Connect with a de-complicator by phone or email
Shop health plans online
Find out what financial assistance is available
COVID-19 resources
COVID-19 facts
Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 Resources
Get your COVID-19 questions answered. Find COVID-19 testing locations, Minnesota COVID-19 resources and up-to-date information.
1-800-657-3504
TTY 711
9 am – 4 pm, Monday – Friday
Learn more
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 information
Get the most current facts and guidance on COVID-19 prevention, care and vaccines.
Learn more
Community
Minnesota Black Community COVID-19 Hotline
Fully staffed hotline to support Minnesota’s African American community through the pandemic with COVID-19 information, testing sites, resources to support food insecurity, physical and mental health, employment, housing, childcare, legal rights and other issues stemming from the pandemic.
612-254-1145
TTY 711
Learn more
Minnesota Department of Health COVID Community Coordinator Search Tool
This tool helps you identify organizations in your community by culture, language and county.
Learn more
UCare support for community resources
UCare can help members find resources within their community, such as food services, financial assistance and housing support.
1-833-276-1185
TTY 1-800-688-2534
Mental Health
UCare Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Triage Line
For crisis support or ongoing help to manage a mental health or substance use condition at no extra cost to you.
612-676-6533 or 1-833-276-1185
TTY 1-800-688-2534
8 am – 5 pm, Monday – Friday
Learn more
Mental Health Minnesota
No-cost, confidential, anonymous support from a mental health professional.
1-833-HERE4MN
TTY 711
Learn more
Additional UCare support
Do you need home COVID-19 prevention resources?
UCare provides no-cost resources to support UCare members during this pandemic. Call UCare Customer Service at the number on the back of your UCare member ID card if you need masks, thermometers, hand sanitizers or pill boxes.
UCare COVID-19 vaccine hotline
Get help finding a COVID-19 vaccine appointment if available, signing up for the Minnesota Department of Health Vaccine Connector and finding answers to your questions and concerns about the vaccine.
1-833-951-3189
TTY 1-800-688-2534
UCare 24/7 Nurse Line
1-800-688-2157
TTY 1-855-307-6976
UCare pregnancy advisor nurse line
Nurses can offer expert advice, support, answers to your pregnancy questions and referrals to additional resources over the phone.
1-855-260-9708
TTY 1-800-688-2534
9 am – 5 pm, Monday – Friday
UCare Health Ride
No-cost transportation to and from COVID-19 testing, COVID-19 vaccines and medical, dental and pharmacy visits. (only available for certain plans)
1-800-864-2157
TTY 1-800-688-2534
8 am – 5 pm, Monday – Friday
Learn more
COVID-19 resources in other languages
Español
Enfermedad del coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)
Somali
Cudurka Koronafayras 2019 (COVID-19)
Hmong
Kab Mob Khaus Las Nas Vais Lav 2019 (COVID-19)
American Sign Language (ASL)
American Sign Language (ASL) Videos for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Response
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Minnesota Department of Health