1. Home
  2. Wellness
  3. Preventive care
  4. COVID-19 & coronavirus    

COVID-19: Stay informed

What you should know and how to prepare.

We’re here to help our members

Learn how Sharp Health Plan and Sharp HealthCare have prepared for COVID-19, plus get preventive care tips and reliable sources for real-time information.

COVID-19 vaccine

$0 copay for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Show details

Common questions about COVID-19 vaccinations
Keeping up with COVID-19 information can be overwhelming. Here to answer some commonly asked questions about vaccines is the County’s Public Health Officer, Dr. Wilma Wooten.

Is the vaccine covered under my benefits?

Yes. The vaccine is covered at $0 under your preventive care benefits.

When can I get my vaccine?

The County of San Diego is currently vaccinating individuals in all tiers of Phase 1A and people 65 and older. Vaccine distribution expands to Phase 1B front-line essential workers starting Feb. 27. Sharp HealthCare is following all State and County guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination, including phases for vaccine distribution.

How can I get my vaccine?

There are two ways to get your COVID-19 vaccine. You can schedule an appointment at a County vaccination site, or Sharp HealthCare will contact you directly when it’s your turn to get vaccinated. Sharp is receiving limited vaccine supply from the County, so we recommend scheduling an appointment at a County vaccination site if you want to receive your vaccine sooner. For the latest COIVD-19 vaccine information please visit Sharp HealthCare’s website.

Testing & treatment

$0 copays for COVID-19 testing and treatment.

Show details

There are no copays for medically necessary COVID-19 testing. We have also waived out-of-pocket costs for all COVID-19 diagnostic treatment received April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021.

Visit our FAQ page below to find out more.

Call 2-1-1

Call 2-1-1

Get your local questions answered 24/7 by 2-1-1 San Diego, our region’s trusted source for community services. To help you through these challenging times, you’ll find resources and crisis hotlines for  housing and shelter, food assistance, emotional support and more.

FIND OUT MORE

The flu shot is more important than ever this season.

Pandemic or not, every eligible person should receive the seasonal flu vaccine each year. Sharp Health Plan covers the flu vaccine as a preventive care service, at no additional cost.

WHERE TO GET A FLU SHOT

Your plan medical group

Visit your plan medical group's website to find out how they’re protecting patients, visitors and caregivers during this time. There are no copays for medically necessary COVID-19 testing and treatment. We are waiving out-of-pocket costs for all COVID-19 treatment received April 1, 2020 – March 31, 2021.

Are you feeling ill?

Take the CDC symptom checker to help you make decisions and seek appropriate care.

CDC symptom checker

Your prescriptions

We have temporarily relaxed early refill limits on many maintenance medications. You can get early refills of up to a 90-day supply at in-network pharmacies.

Seminars at Sharp Health Plan

All in-person events have been canceled until further notice. However, our Medicare seminars are now being held online. You can view the schedule and sign up below.

Take me there
Telehealth

Get same-day care

We at Sharp Health Plan are here to help you get access to the care you need. Here are helpful phone numbers and resources to help you get care now. Remember, you should always contact your primary care doctor first about telehealth services, as well as COVID-19 screening, testing and treatment.

Nurse advice line

Talk to a registered nurse after hours and on weekends at 1-855-562-8853. You may be directed to your primary care doctor. This is to ensure the quickest and best care possible when the nurse advice line is experiencing high call volumes.

Video and phone visits

Telehealth visits are a covered benefit for members, if your doctor provides this service. Your copay will vary depending on your plan, but should be no more than the copay for an in-office visit.

LEARN MORE

MinuteClinic

The health care professionals at MinuteClinic® can help evaluate symptoms and come up with a treatment plan. Most services will require you to pay the amount equal to your copayment for an office visit to your primary care physician (PCP).

  .

This video helps explain what COVID-19 is, how it spreads, and what to do if you are feeling sick or are worried about exposure.
 

Watch this video from PsychHub for ways to cope with the anxiety and uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
 

Testing is crucial to guiding our next steps in the fight against COVID-19, but do you know the difference between all the tests available?
 

If you or someone you know has lost their job, watch this video for coping strategies that can help support mental health.
 

California Department of Aging info line

The Aging and Adult Info Line can connect you to your local Area Agency on Aging, which coordinates a wide array of services at the community level to seniors and adults with disabilities. Visit aging.ca.gov or call 1-800-510-2020.

Visit the websiteClick to call

Helpful resources and phone numbers

Here are some important resources to help you or your loved ones to stay home, stay healthy, and stay connected during California’s stay-at-home order.

  • The Friendship Line, offered by the Institute of Aging, is for older adults who are feeling lonely or in crisis. Call 1-888-670-1360 — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • For wellness checks or to report abuse, neglect or exploitation, call Adult Protective Services at 1-833-401-0832 — available 24/7.
  • The Alzheimer’s Helpline is free to the public and available 24 hours a day. Call 1-800-272-3900.
Feeling Good & Staying Connected

Activity guide and planner

Download “Feeling Good & Staying Connected,” a new guide and weekly planner that can help you connect with loved ones and discover ways to feel calm and positive.

READ THE GUIDE
AARP Fraud Watch Network

Protect yourself from scams

AARP provides the Fraud Watch Network Helpline, for both members and non-members, who've been targeted or fallen victim to a scam.  Call 1-877-908-3360.

Find out more
  
woman looking at workout with weights on floor

How to stay healthy

Find helpful information about coronavirus and COVID-19 from our partner, Healthwise®. Learn how to stay healthy and what to do if you feel ill.

Learn More ￫
 

Visit the news center

Mar 19, 2020, 13:26 PM
Button text : Take me there
Button link : /news-center
Select a color : Blue
Get the latest updates on coronavirus (COVID-19) from Sharp Health Plan and Sharp HealthCare.

Helpful self checkers

You can use these interactive tools by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Sharp HealthCare to see if you are at risk.

Protect yourself against cyber scams

Cyber criminals are finding new ways to defraud people online as we face the coronavirus and COVID-19. Be sure to protect yourself.

Find out how

Helpful shareables

Cold, flu or COVID-19?

Cold, flu or COVID-19?

COVID-19 can have symptoms similar to a cold or flu. Use this chart to learn the differences.

Download (PDF, 2 MB)
Stop the spread of germs

Stop the spread of germs

Help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases like COVID-19.

Download (PDF, 432 kb)
Symptoms of COVID-19

Symptoms of COVID-19

Patients with COVID-19 have experienced mild to severe respiratory illness.

Download (PDF, 355 kb)

Sharp Direct Advantage is offered by Sharp Health Plan. Sharp Health Plan is an HMO with a Medicare contract. Enrollment with Sharp Health Plan depends on contract renewal. Read the full disclaimer.

H5386_2021 Website