April 15, 2020
CalOptima FAQs for Members About COVID-19
Are CalOptima members asking you questions about their coverage related to Coronavirus Disease 2019? Our website has COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions. The FAQs have information on:

  • Telehealth visits with providers
  • Who members can call for health advice and mental health services
  • How our members can be evaluated for COVID-19
  • CalOptima has waived for members all costs associated with screening, testing and medically necessary treatment for COVID-19
  • Members can request early medication refills, and 90-day supplies
  • Symptoms of COVID-19, how to protect themselves and wearing face masks.

Click here for more details.
CalOptima Provider Alerts
To help providers access timely information related to the COVID-19 pandemic, CalOptima recently updated our web page for Provider Communications. It contains links for COVID-19 related information from key regulatory agencies:

  • The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
  • California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
  • Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)
  • Orange County Health Care Agency (OC HCA)

There are also separate sections for:

  • Telehealth Information
  • COVID-19 Provider Alerts (Fax Blasts)

Below are recent updates and Provider Alerts:

  • Provider Alert: Authorization Requirements and Waivers During COVID-19 (posted 4/14/20)

  • Provider Alert: Medicare Advantage and Part D Plans: CMS Flexibilities to Fight COVID-19 (posted 4/14/20)

  • Provider Update April 2020 - COVID-19 Edition (posted 4/13/20)

  • California Surgeon General’s Playbook: Stress Relief for Caregivers and Kids during COVID-19 (posted 4/13/20)

  • CMS Issues New Wave of Infection Control Guidance Based on CDC Guidelines to Protect Patients and Healthcare Workers from COVID-19 (posted 4/13/20)

  • Provider Alert: Emotional Well-Being During the COVID-19 Crisis for Health Care Providers Webinar Series (posted 4/9/20)

  • Provider Alert: Non-Emergent, Elective Medical Services and Treatment Recommendations (posted 4/9/20)

Providers and other health care professionals with questions can contact the Provider Relations department by phone at 714-246-8600 or email at providerservices@caloptima.org.

For Provider updates prior to April 15, 2020, please visit the Providers section of our website at: www.caloptima.org/en/Features/COVID19/ProviderCommunication.aspx
COVID-19 Online Resource Directory
The County of Orange COVID-19 Resource Directory offers information and links to various local, state and federal resources for employees, employers, residents and 211 social services. It is updated on a regular basis. Click here .
Keeping Orange County Moving
OCTA’s COVID-19 Response 
For essential workers who must go out, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) continues to provide critical public transportation. OCTA has implemented safety measures and service modifications to slow the spread of COVID-19. The flier is available in English , Spanish and Vietnamese .
Watch an OCTA video “Thanks to Those Who Keep OC Moving” that expresses their gratitude to OCTA workers. 
The county’s Emergency Operations Center recently announced that as of
Saturday, April 11, the hours have changed for the Orange County COVID-19 Public Information Hotline and Health Referral Line at 833-426-6411. New hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Residents can be connected to resources including:

  • The Health Referral Line
  • Public assistance benefits
  • Resources for seniors
  • District Attorney’s office for scams and price gouging
  • Small Business Recovery
  • 2-1-1 Orange County

Click here to read the full press release.
On April 9, County of Orange Health Officer Dr. Nicole Quick issued a recommendation strongly encouraging all employees at essential businesses to wear a cloth face while at work. People doing essential activities outside the home should do the same.

It is not recommended for people to use N-95 and surgical masks which should be reserved for health care workers and first responders. Face coverings can be made out of scarfs, bandanas, T-shirts, sweatshirts or towels. Click here for a do-it-yourself tutorial by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Click here to read the full press release.

Click the image below to see the Orange County Health Care Agency’s video about face covers.
Throw PPE In the Trash!
The Orange County Waste & Recycling agency reminds everyone to properly dispose of used personal protective equipment (PPE) in the trash bin. Littering of waste can pollute the environment and pose a threat to human health, including children who may not realize the items they are touching and can potentially be hazardous.
Latest News from California’s
Employment Development Department
Below are recent updates related to unemployment insurance from the California Employment Development Department (EDD):

The new $600 additional unemployment benefit payments funded by the federal government, will be issued by the EDD for the week ending April 11. Claimants do not need to do anything to receive the extra funding. Visit the Latest News for Workers for details.

  • Also, the EDD is actively working on making operational a new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program. Once the new complex program is built and staffed, people can apply. It will be geared to business owners, self-employed, independent contractors, people with limited work history and others not usually eligible for regular UI benefits as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here for more details.

  • The EDD will also keep people posted on the CARES Act provision that established a new 13-week extension of benefits paid for by the federal government. It is for people who exhaust their regular state UI claim between March 29, 2020 and the end of 2020. This program also requires an extensive effort to implement the new extended benefits.

To apply for unemployment benefits visit www.edd.ca.gov . To access
COVID-19 resources, click here . For those who already applied, click here for a step-by-step chart for what to expect.
Governor Announces Job Matching Website
Governor Newsom announced a new website www.onwardca.org that matches people looking for a job with employers looking to hire.
It is a one-stop resource for Californians impacted by job loss during the COVID-19 pandemic.


The website offers resources for:
  • Life Essentials
  • Training
  • Job Search
Assistance for Homeowners and Renters
Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N28-20 directing the Department of Business Oversite to work with financial institutions to identify ways to provide Californians relief from the threat of residential foreclosure and displacement, and to promote housing security and stability.

Foreclosures and Mortgage Relief
It also asked financial institutions to implement an immediate moratorium on foreclosures arising from causes related to COVID-19. To see if your lender is participating to provide mortgage and fee relief, click here .

California Eviction Moratorium
Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N28-20 , a statewide moratorium on residential evictions for renters who cannot pay their rent because of COVID-19 related economic hardships. The moratorium went into effect on March 27 and is valid through May 31, 2020.​
 
If COVID-19 has impacted your ability to pay all or part of your rent, you should:

  • Explain your financial situation to your landlord and relay how much you are able to pay 
  • Save all financial documents 
  • Pay as much of your rent as you can
 
If your landlord is attempting to evict you for not paying rent and you took all of the above steps, contact a local legal aid provider.
COVID-19 Text Message Alerts
Orange County residents can opt-in for text alerts by texting OCCOVID19 to 888777 to receive updates and resources related to COVID-19. 
Working Together to Keep our
California Communities Healthy
There are still ways to help your community even while sheltering in place. Help get the word out and remember, we are all in this together. Calling all Californians!
How to Contact CalOptima During the COVID-19 Pandemic
CalOptima Customer Service remains ready to respond to member needs. Members can call Customer Service from the safety of their home, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have staff who speak their language.

  • Medi-Cal toll-free: 1-888-587-8088
  • OneCare Connect toll-free: 1-855-705-8823
  • OneCare toll-free: 1-877-412-2734
  • TTY users can call toll-free at 1-800-735-2929.
  • PACE at 1-714-468-1100 or toll-free at 1-855-785-2584
  • PACE TTY users can call toll-free at 1-714-468-1063.

We are continuing to serve our members through our Customer Service phone lines, as we adhere to guidelines to reduce the possibility of transmission. Our buildings are closed to visitors .

CalOptima
505 City Parkway West
Orange, CA 92868
 
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly ( PACE)
13300 Garden Grove Blvd.
Garden Grove, CA 92843
 
County Community Service Center
15496 Magnolia Street, Suite 111
Orange, CA 92610

For CalOptima specific updates on COVID-19, please visit our home page at www.caloptima.org .

 National information can be found on the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) website at  www.coronavirus.gov and local information can be found at the Orange County Health Care Agency (OC HCA) website at www.occovid19.ochealthinfo.com .