COVID-19- What is Oxford HealthCare doing about it?

 

In order to limit risk to patients and clinicians we are implementing a few new things.

We are asking patients pre-screening questions and temperature checks prior to every visit.  Our employees are working remotely to encourage social distancing from our staff as well. 

Staff is instructed on strict use of standard precautions and when to wear PPE and which items to wear.  We have done a full extra in-service for all of our clinicians and re-verified proper use technique. 

We are asking that patients and clinicians alike follow proper hand hygiene as follows:

HAND HYGIENE  

All clinicians and their clients must wash their hands using soap and hot water for 20 seconds at the start of every visit. Clinicians must also perform hand hygiene at the end of every visit before leaving the house.

When washing your hands, please thoroughly scrub the palms, the top, each individual finger, under the nails and around the cuticles. Similar to how surgeons wash their hands in preparation for surgery.

If there is no soap and running water, or if it is difficult for you or your client to get to a sink/basin to wash hands, you and your client may use alcohol hand sanitizer and rub all surfaces of your hands for 20 seconds.

You will need to follow the same exact process of scrubbing your palms, the tops of your hands, each individual finger, under the nails and around the cuticles when using hand sanitizer.

Use a barrier such as tissues, paper towel or gloves to touch door handles and faucet handles in client’s homes and don’t touch any surfaces with your bare hands

 

We are educating patient’s and employees on signs and symptoms to look out for.

WHEN TO CALL THE DOCTOR- Per the CDC Recommendations

Please contact the doctor for further instructions if any of the following symptoms are present:

●       Temperature of 100.4°F; and/or

●       New onset of cough that is not a common occurrence or is not allergy related; and/or

●       Shortness of breath.

All healthcare clinics and facilities are asking that individuals call their doctor first before going into any facility so they can be properly screened and told exactly what to do and where to go.

Avoiding Urgent Cares, Doctor’s offices and Emergency Rooms will protect you from being exposed to COVID-19 in case you don’t have it and it will prevent others from being exposed to it in case you do have it.

Of course, if at any time you feel that you are having a medical emergency, please call 911.

 

PREVENTION

CDC has reinforced the use of everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases and seasonal influenza. That includes:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

    • Close contact is defined as being within approximately 6 feet of a COVID-19 case for a prolonged period of time. Close contact can occur while caring for, living with, visiting, or sharing a health care waiting area or room with a COVID-19 case, or having direct contact with infectious secretions of a COVID-19 case (e.g., being coughed on). (Source: CDC)

  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

  • Definitely stay home when you are sick.

  • Follow “Stay at Home” orders given by public officials and avoid public places outside of working hours.

  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Hands and fingers do not do a sufficient job of covering the droplets of a cough or sneeze.

  • Keep surfaces and frequently touched objects (bedside tables, door handles, surfaces in the bathroom, toys for children, etc.) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant.

  • No handshaking/hugging etc.

  • Remind clients that food is available and shelves are being restocked and not to panic if shelves are a bit bare and not to hoard items. Many retailers have special store hours only for the elderly.

  • Minimize non-essential travel and stops during working hours. 

  

Thank you for being patient with us and helping us help you.  Yes, we are open for business and taking care of our Oklahomans.  So, while we may look and act a little different during this crisis, we are still here to take care of you or your loved one. 

More Information

Johns Hopkins COVID link

CDC Links

Caring for yourself at Home

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/caring-for-yourself-at-home.html

Symptoms of Coronavirus- CDC

Strategies to Optimize the Supply of PPE and Equipment- CDC

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/index.html

 

COVID-19 FAQ CDC

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html?utm_campaign=ACHC%20Today&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=85182623&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--H-Rm0tZ8w6l494N5LaFIhIWTv-UUfKu9UJxh4NWecrjBL3NwCcrOlAXDvrw6uN-hnHjm42Loxjsly0JPcs9bhWYl26icY4vZ2ERUv4HdT2BZqfuM&_hsmi=85182623

 

OK DHS COVID

https://coronavirus.health.ok.gov/

 

Fact or Fiction OK DHS Covid-19

https://coronavirus.health.ok.gov/fact-or-fiction-%E2%80%93-covid-19

 

Guidance from Medicare

https://www.cms.gov/files/document/qso-20-18-hha.pdf

 

Do all patients with known or suspected COVID-19 infection require hospitalization?

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-home-care.html

 

What are the considerations for determining when patients confirmed with COVID-19 are safe to be treated at home?

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-home-care.html

 

When should patients confirmed with COVID-19 who are receiving HHA services be considered for transfer to a hospital?

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/infection-control/control-recommendations.html

 

COVID-19 prevention

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-prevent-spread.html

 

What Personal Protective Equipment should home care staff routinely use when visiting the home of a patient suspected of COVID-19 exposure or confirmed exposure?

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/guidance-evaluating-pui.html

 

When is it safe to discontinue Transmission-based Precautions for home care patients with COVID-19?

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/disposition-in-home-patients.html

 

Important CDC Resources:

CDC Resources for Health Care Facilities and Home and Commuity Based Settings:

 

FDA Resources:

Emergency Use Authorizations:

https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/emergency-situationsmedical-devices/emergency-use-authorizations

CMS Resources:

Home Health Agency Infection Control and Prevention regulations and guidance: 42 CFR

484.70, Infection Prevention and Control, Appendix B of the State Operations Manual, Infection

Prevention and Control.

https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-andGuidance/Guidance/Manuals/downloads/som107ap_b_hha.pdf

CDC Updates:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/whats-new-all.html

Sign up for the newsletter to receive weekly emails about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID19) https://tools.cdc.gov/campaignproxyservice/subscriptions.aspx?topic_id=USCDC_2067

Mental Health Resources

HealthiestYou 

https://www.healthiestyou.com/

 

Family & Children's Services' COPES COVID Emotional Response Support Line. The number is 918-744-4800. 

https://www.publicradiotulsa.org/post/researchers-warn-covid-19-pandemic-will-trigger-mental-health-crisis-oklahoma

211 

https://www.211oklahoma.org/

 

Community Care Benefits

https://www.ccok.com/News/2020/Coronavirus/

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Testing And Treatment Coverage

At CommunityCare, the health of you and your loved ones is our top priority. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve you and appreciate the trust you place in us, especially during these challenging times.

CommunityCare is committed to addressing the challenges presented by the coronavirus (COVID-19) and is prioritizing prevention, testing and treatment. As Oklahoma’s largest locally owned health insurer, CommunityCare is invested in the health of the local community and will provide coverage for COVID-19 testing for fully insured members.

How we are caring for our members

COVID-19 testing

Coverage for COVID-19 testing for fully insured members, and some self-funded employers, will be provided. Copays, deductibles, or coinsurance associated with the COVID-19 tests ordered by a provider as medically necessary and consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines will be waived.

Telemedicine services

Members will have 100% coverage when accessing their in-network providers who are participating in providing telemedicine services and will not be subject to any copayment, coinsurance or deductible. As an example, a member who has a live follow-up telemedicine visit with their psychiatrist can do so without any copay and the provider will bill CommunityCare 100% for the cost of the service.

Telemedicine and e-visits are covered for any medically necessary services and symptoms for fully insured, and some self-funded members. This will ensure our members are able to receive a wide range of health care services from their providers without having to travel to a medical facility.

CommunityCare will continue to cover 100% of the cost for telemedicine and/or e-visits to either Saint Francis Health System or Ascension St. John for fully insured members.

Prior authorization

Prior authorization will not be required for any COVID-19 testing or treatment.

Prescription refills

Early refills of maintenance medications from the pharmacy will also be covered, and longer fills up to 90 days for employer group members and many medications up to 100 days for our Medicare Advantage members are available.

Contact us

Members may contact CommunityCare customer service at (918) 594-5242 for questions about coverage or information on how to access telemedicine services and what will be required for reimbursement.

CommunityCare Senior Center

To protect the health and safety of our employees and customers, and out of an abundance of caution, the CommunityCare Senior Center at 4720 S. Harvard is temporarily closed.

Helpful resources to keep you informed

Now Providing Medicare Home Healthcare and In-Home Care Services in Northeastern Oklahoma.