COVID-19: Vaccinations
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CDC Updates COVID Vaccine Eligibility

CDC No Longer Requires Unvaccinated to Quarantine after Being Exposed to COVID-19

The CDC continues to streamline its COVID-19 guidance to help people better understand their risk, how to protect themselves and others, what actions to take if exposed to COVID-19, and what actions to take if they are sick or test positive for the virus. COVID-19 continues to circulate globally, however, with so many tools available to us for reducing COVID-19 severity, there is significantly less risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death compared to earlier in the pandemic. Read More from the CDC.

CDC Releases New COVID-19 Booster Guidelines for 50+ and Immunocompromised - March 29, 2022

The CDC is updating its recommendations to allow certain immunocompromised individuals and people over the age of 50 who received an initial booster dose at least 4 months ago to be eligible for another mRNA booster to increase their protection against severe disease from COVID-19.

CDC continues to recommend that all eligible adults, adolescents, and children 5 and older be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines, which includes getting an initial booster when eligible. Read more here.

Reimbursement for Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests

CCH members who have purchased COVID-19 Tests are eligible for cost reimbursement. Please review our Frequently Asked Questions and then complete and return the Member Claim Form.

U.S. Government Makes Free COVID-19 Tests Available

Simply visit the recently launched web site, enter your name, email and physical address to order up to four COVID-19 at-home test kits. No credit card or payment of any kind required.

CDC Recommends Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine for Children 5 to 11 Years - November 2, 2021

On November 2, 2021, the CDC recommended that children 5 to 11 years old be vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine. Please read the latest guidance here.

COVID-19 Booster Shots

On December 9, 2021, the CDC released its latest recommendation that everyone ages 16 and over may get a booster shot, and everyone ages 18 and over should do so. Read more.

In its August 18, 2021 joint statement, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommends that a COVID-19 booster shot will be needed to “to maximize vaccine-induced protection and prolong its durability.” Read the entire HHS Statement.

New Vaccine Eligibility

COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all people ages 5 years and older, including people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future. Pregnant and recently pregnant people are more likely to get severely ill with COVID-19 compared with non-pregnant people.

Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can protect you from severe illness from COVID-19. For more information, please refer to the CDC website. To find Central Valley locations, including Community Medical Centers facilities, and to schedule your appointment, please visit myturn.ca.gov.

Updated CDC Guidelines

The CDC has recently updated its recommendations for those who have received their full vaccination protocol.

  • You can resume activities that you did prior to the pandemic.
  • You can resume activities without wearing a mask or staying 6 feet apart, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations.
  • If you travel in the United States, you do not need to get tested before or after travel or self-quarantine after travel.
  • You do NOT need to get tested before leaving the United States unless your destination requires it.
  • You should still get tested 3-5 days after international travel.
  • If you’ve been around someone who has COVID-19, you do not need to stay away from others or get tested unless you have symptoms.
  • However, if you live or work in a correctional or detention facility or a homeless shelter and are around someone who has COVID-19, you should still get tested, even if you don’t have symptoms.
  • People who have a condition or are taking medications that weaken the immune system, should talk to their healthcare provider to discuss their activities. They may need to keep taking all precautions to prevent COVID-19. 

Remember, you will still need to follow guidance at your workplace and local businesses. 

Read More About CDC Recommendations

If you haven’t been vaccinated yet, click here to find a vaccine

Member FAQs

A1. Yes. CCH will cover FDA approved COVID-19 vaccines at no charge and no cost-sharing (i.e., co-pays, co-insurance, deductibles or out of pocket costs). There will be NO cost to CCH members.

A2. Yes. CCH will cover FDA approved vaccines in accordance with the requirements established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This includes any vaccines administered over more than one injection.

A3. Yes. During the federally declared COVID-19 public health emergency, CCH will cover the cost of administering COVID-19 vaccines to health plan enrollees regardless of whether the vaccines are administered by in-network or out-of-network providers.

A4. Yes. CCH will cover an FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine at no charge and no cost-sharing (i.e., co-pays, co-insurance, deductibles or out of pocket costs) for those who are immunocompromised. There will be NO cost to CCH members. Immunocompromised patients generally include organ transplant recipients, people undergoing cancer treatment and people with HIV, among others. Please contact your physician for more guidance on whether you are considered immunocompromised and should receive this booster shot.

To schedule your vaccine, please visit myturn.ca.gov. Members can also call the Hotline 1-833-422-4255 (M-F 8am – 8pm, Saturday-Sunday 8am – 5pm) for assistance.

A5. With recent CDC approval of the Pfizer vaccine for ages 12+, CCH Members in California, are now eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines free of charge. To find Central Valley locations, including Community Medical Centers facilities, and to schedule your appointment, please visit myturn.ca.gov.

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A6.  Please visit the State of California’s website, or the CDC website where you can get additional up-to-date information about COVID-19 and the vaccine. You can also access the Fresno County’s website for specific roll-out information. https://www.co.fresno.ca.us/home/showpublisheddocument?id=51485

A7. Some of the symptoms are similar to the flu: fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Some other symptoms may include muscle aches, nausea, vomiting and headaches

A8. While there is no actual prevention of COVID-19, recommendations include:

  • Washing your hands for at least 20 seconds;
  • Covering up cough/sneeze with tissue and disposing of immediately;
  • Social distancing of people at least 6 feet away; and,
  • Staying home is highly recommended to prevent further spreading.
  • Follow CDC guidelines.

A9. Stay informed and protect yourself and those around you:

  • If you are sick, stay home (and keep sick children home). It’s the best way to avoid the spread of illness.
  • If you have flu-like symptoms such as a fever, cough or sore throat, or difficulty breathing, please call your primary care doctor’s office and do not go to doctor’s office until you’ve spoken to the office and received instructions. If you need immediate medical attention, please dial 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
  • Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow and wash your hands afterwards.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
  • To help reduce the risk of exposing you and others to the flu, common cold and COVID-19, we ask that you take advantage of telehealth options available to CCH members whenever possible (including Teladoc: (1-800-Teladoc).

  • Contact the Fresno County Health Department if you develop symptoms, and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or if you live in or have recently been in an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19.  For guidance, contact Fresno County Health Department at (559) 600-3332.

A10. The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.

Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.

The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.

A11. Due to COVID-19, some providers may have reduced their practices’ office hours and/or closed.  Many, however, remain available by phone.  Please call the provider’s office before arriving at their location.

A12. Yes, all CCH members have access to Teladoc (1-800-Teladoc).

A13. If you do feel ill or believe you have been exposed, please call your doctor first and/or use Telehealth services (see A3 above).  As in any situation, if you believe you are experiencing a life threatening emergency, please call 911 and describe your situation, or go to the nearest hospital/emergency room.

A14. Yes. CCH will cover medically necessary screening, testing and treatment associated with COVID-19 including:

  • COVID-19 screening visits: CCH will cover medically necessary COVID screening for hospital (including emergency department), urgent care, and provider office visits where the purpose of the visit is to be screened and/or tested for COVID-19. Please contact Customer Service for details on costs.
  • COVID-19 testing: CCH is waiving out-of-pocket costs (see above) for medically necessary COVID-19 FDA-approved testing. Only a health care provider or hospital can administer the test and send the sample to an approved lab for results.

A15. No, CCH will hold the member harmless for any balance billing related to the testing/treatment of COVID-19.  If you receive a bill from a provider, please contact CCH’s Customer Service at 1-855-343-2247.

A16. Yes, prescription refill limitations are temporarily removed for most medications.

Please contact MedImpact, medimpactdirect.com to register or call MedImpact directly at 1-855-873-8739.

A17. Yes, for certain medications.  Members can obtain a 90-day supply of ongoing medications through the mail-order program with MedImpact Direct. With mail-order, members can have their prescriptions delivered right to their home. Please visit MedImpact at medimpactdirect.com to register or you can call MedImpact directly at 1-855-873-8739.

A18. Yes, in most cases, prior authorization time frames and step therapy requirements will be temporarily relaxed or waived.

A19. Information is changing daily.  For general information and to stay informed please visit the Fresno Department of Public Health or call 1-559-600-INFO (4636).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring COVID-19.  Please refer the member to their website.

Health Organizations Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The Center of Disease Control (CDC) is providing daily updates and recommendations to protect our community. The most effective way of reducing the spread of COVID-19 is social distancing, proper hygiene, and careful evaluation of individuals who suspect they may have the illness. These steps will decrease the spread and hopefully shorten the duration of the outbreak. Community Care Health, Santé Health System and Community Medical Center are closely monitoring the situation and will continue to update our community as new developments occur.

CDC Fact Sheets:

Additional Resources

World Health Organization website
World Health Organization
California Department of Public Health website
California Department of Public Health
Community Medical Centers website
Community Medical Centers - COVID-19