Information You Need to Know About COVID-19
COVID-19 Vaccine Information
Take the Fight to COVID
A pre-recorded virtual event about the COVID-19 vaccine with Q&A, featuring MDwise, Eskenazi Health and the Marion County Public Health Department. Watch on Zoom using passcode: HR7==$m6.
When is the vaccine going to be available?
The vaccine is available now. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccinations in Indiana or call 211 for more information.
I meet the guidelines to get the vaccine, where can I get it?
You can use this tool to help you find a site to receive the vaccine or call 211 for a vaccine site near you.
I am concerned about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Safety is the top priority for any vaccine. Learn more about vaccine safety.
General Coronavirus FAQ
What is the coronavirus?
Coronavirus disease 2019 (also known as COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. Patients with COVID-19 have experienced mild to severe respiratory illness, including fever, cough and shortness of breath.
What is happening with COVID-19 in my area? Where can I get more information?
The latest information on COVID-19 is posted at the Indiana State Department of Health website.
I think I may have contracted coronavirus, what should I do?
Call your doctor’s office. If you don’t know who your doctor is call 1-800-356-1204 to find out who your doctor is. You may also call your local health department or the Indiana State Department of Health.
Can I get the COVID-19 test covered?
MDwise does cover the COVID-19 test as needed without a copay.
Does MDwise cover personal protective gear and hand sanitizer?
We do not cover masks and hand sanitizer. The best defense against Flu and COVID-19 is to practice every day healthy actions. Wash your hands with soap and water often for at least 20 seconds. Regularly clean commonly touched surfaces.
What is MDwise doing about COVID-19?
MDwise is working directly with the state to be sure we know the latest protocols.
Is there a number I can call to get more information about the Coronavirus?
Yes, the Indiana State Department of Health has a 24-hour call center. The number is 317-233-7125. We would be happy to transfer you.
I have some questions about the Coronavirus. Is there someone I can email?
Yes, you may email questions to epiresource@isdh.in.gov
Where can I learn more about the Coronavirus and how to protect my family?
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Indiana State Department of Health have information on their websites.
How can I receive updates about the Coronavirus in Indiana?
You may sign up for the Indiana Health Alert Network to receive updates. Visit the Indiana Health Alert Network (IHAN) website to sign up for alerts.
Is it ok to go to large gatherings?
Please stay up to date with the rules in your city and state. Avoid crowded areas and maintain social distancing which means staying at least six feet away from other people.
My elderly family member lives with us. How can I protect them?
Have the healthy people in the house act carefully, as if they could make the elderly person sick. Wash your hands before touching the person, such as before feeding or caring for them. If possible, provide a separate room for these family members. Clean surfaces regularly and use separate utensils.
I have a family member who is sick at home. How do I care for them while protecting myself?
Watch the person’s symptoms and be sure to call their doctor if the person gets sicker. Be sure to tell your doctor if the person had a COVID-19 test. Limit visitors in your home to only those who must come in. Try to keep the sick person to a single room or area. Wash your hands and surfaces regularly. Avoid sharing household items with the person who is sick. If your home has multiple bathrooms, have the person who is sick only use one of the bathrooms.
I am sick, but I need to pick up groceries or medicine. What can I do?
Try contacting a neighbor or family member who can drop off groceries to your front door. Your health plan can arrange for your medicine to be mailed to you.
Telemedicine Assistance
If you or a family member need help using telemedicine, consider our Lifeline program. MDwise works with Safelink Wireless to offer discounted cell phone service.
How Does the Coronavirus Affect My Medicaid Benefits?
I’m worried that my Medicaid provided health coverage might be terminated.
By order of Governor Holcomb, no one’s Medicaid health insurance coverage will be terminated during the COVID-19 public health emergency. This ensures coverage for members on CHIP, HIP, Hoosier Healthwise and MedWorks. The only exception is for a member who moves out of state or chooses to voluntarily end their coverage.
I normally pay a premium for my coverage or my child’s coverage and/or contribute to a POWER Account. Do I still need to pay that?
No, you do not. Due to the current public health emergency and action by the Governor, members are not required to pay POWER Account Contributions, Premiums, or any copayments. Any notices that you receive that talk about POWER Account Contributions (PAC payments), Premium payments, or copayments DO NOT APPLY during this period. If you have questions, please contact your health plan.
I am on Medicaid, do I have to pay co-pays for my prescriptions right now?
No, FSSA has waived all Medicaid co-pays due to the public health emergency and this includes co-pays for medicine. FSSA has notified all pharmacies in the state. If you are asked to pay a co-pay at a pharmacy, please contact your health plan.
Pharmacy and Prescription Questions
I take the generic version of a brand name medicine. If the pharmacy tells me they don’t have that, can I get the brand name drug instead?
If the pharmacy does not have the generic drug that you take, they can fill certain prescriptions with a brand name drug. The pharmacy will have instructions on how to do that and it will not affect the cost of your medicine.
I want to avoid leaving my house as much as possible. Can I get a 90-day supply of my medicine at one time?
During the public health emergency, pharmacies are allowed to fill certain medicines for 90 days at a time. Please check with your doctor or local pharmacy to see if your medicine can be refilled for 90 days. Not all medicines can be refilled for 90 days.
Why can’t my prescription be filled for 90-days?
There are laws about medicine refills. Some medicines cannot be refilled for 90-days at a time.
Can the pharmacy refill my medicine early?
During the public health emergency, pharmacies are allowed to fill certain prescriptions early. The pharmacy may need extra information to do this, so please have your health plan ID card with you when going to fill your prescription or when you call your pharmacy.
HIP Questions
Can I still make payment on my POWER Account?
No. But don’t worry, you are not being charged during the public health emergency. And you will never be charged for months when payments were not required. We will let you know by mail and give you at least 60 days’ notice before any payment is due.
Presumptive Eligibility Questions
Do members on PE have to pay co-pays?
No, all cost-sharing has been stopped, including co-pays for members with PE.
Can members lose their PE coverage during this time?
Yes, PE coverage is still temporary. Members must submit a full IHCP application in order to gain full coverage.
HHW (Package A) Questions
My postpartum period (12 months) will end this month, do I lose coverage?
No. No member who had coverage on March 18, 2020 will lose coverage during the public health emergency. You can continue to receive benefits. Please be sure to read and respond to any documents that you receive from the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration to be sure that you keep your benefits.
Testing and Coverage
Order COVID-19 Tests
Is the COVID-19 test covered by my health plan? How much does it cost?
All Medicaid health plans cover the COVID-19 test as needed with no copay. Only a health care professional can order the test for you. The doctor will order the test from a lab or the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH).
How can I get tested or treated for COVID-19?
If you start feeling symptoms such as fever, cough and/or difficulty breathing, or have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19, stay home and call your doctor.
If you think you might have COVID-19, please call your doctor first. Older people, people with serious medical conditions, and those with weak immune systems should contact their doctor early, even if their symptoms are mild.
If you have severe symptoms like pain or pressure in your chest, confusion, or blue lips or face, contact your doctor or the emergency room and seek care immediately. Please call first if you can.
What should people with intellectual and developmental disabilities do?
State-run developmental centers, intermediate care facilities for people with developmental disabilities, and community-integrated living arrangements are open. All home healthcare staff are considered essential staff and should continue to take care of patients at home.
If you have questions about your services, reach out to your doctor or MDwise.
What should I do if I have symptoms?
Stay at home until you do not have a fever or other symptoms for 72 hours. This means you should no longer need medicine to treat your symptoms or fever.
Stay away from people and wear a mask around family or caregivers. Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve. Wash your hands often with soap and warm water or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Clean surfaces that many people touch (like doorknobs and countertops) with cleaning and disinfection products often. Follow all instructions on product labels.
Pregnancy and Postpartum
Does COVID-19 pose a higher risk for pregnant and postpartum women?
At this time, the CDC does not think pregnant women are more likely to get sick from COVID-19. The CDC does not think women who recently had a baby are more likely to get sick from COVID-19. If you are pregnant or recently had a baby, and have questions about COVID-19, please contact your doctor.
Can COVID-19 cause problems for my pregnancy?
If you get sick with COVID-19 we do not know if it could cause problems for your pregnancy or the health of your baby. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, call your doctor. Your doctor can tell you if you need to take additional precautions.
I am pregnant and tested positive for COVID-19, will it hurt the baby?
We do not know if there are special risks to babies whose mother is sick with COVID-19. There have been a small number of reported problems with pregnancy or delivery (such as preterm birth) when mothers were sick with COVID-19 during their pregnancy. It is not clear that the problems were because the mother was sick.
Transportation Assistance
Be sure to ask MDwise Transportation Customer Service about the Gas Mileage Reimbursement for family members or close friends to get you to your medically necessary appointments.
Is transportation still provided?
Yes.
How do I set things up with Transportation?
Call MDwise customer service at 800-356-1204 and pick the option for transportation.