COVID-19 Resources for Members

If your doctor believes you need to be tested and you meet the COVID-19 testing guidelines, there is no preauthorization required, and Neighborhood will cover the cost of the test. You will not need to pay any copays, deductibles, or other cost-sharing.

Rhode Island also offers testing at locations across the state, find more information here.

All Rhode Islanders can schedule a free COVID-19 test for themselves or their dependent child through portal.ri.gov regardless of whether they have symptoms or insurance.

All State testing sites require an appointment.

To learn more about the types of testing, testing locations and testing events, please visit the RIDOH website.

Starting the week of February 15^th, State testing sites will be distributing KN-95 masks. If you get tested once a week, you can get a new high-quality mask every week.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at this time, the COVID-19 vaccine will not cost members anything. For the most current vaccine information, please visit the RIDOH website.

Neighborhood is committed to supporting members in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.  Neighborhood will cover costs related to the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine for all members.

United Way is available to assist Rhode Islander’s with scheduling a COVID-19 vaccine appointment. Please contact them at 211 and chose option 9 for COVID-19 vaccine scheduling and information.

Planning for distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine in Rhode Island is an ongoing process.

Vaccination sites and appointments are open throughout Rhode Island. Eligible Rhode Islanders can sign up for an appointment through the RI Department of Health, CVS, Walgreens, Stop & Shop, Walmart or their city or town.

To see if you are eligible and to schedule an appointment, please visit the RIDOH website.

Click here to find information in English, Spanish and Portuguese on State run COVID-19 vaccination sites.

CVS, Walgreens, Stop & Shop and Walmart pharmacies have begun to offer appointments to Rhode Islanders eligible for the vaccine at select pharmacies. Please visit their websites for more information.

CVS Pharmacy

Walgreens Pharmacy

Walmart Pharmacy

Stop & Shop Pharmacy

Every city and town also offers a way to sign up to get vaccinated when vaccine doses become available. Visit your city or town website for more information.

Rhode Islanders can now get a copy of their COVID-19 vaccine record through portal.ri.gov/VaccineRecord. From this website, you can search for and print proof of your COVID-19 vaccination. If you need a second dose of vaccine, this record will tell you when you are eligible to get your second dose. Please note that only people who have received their COVID-19 vaccination in Rhode Island will be able to look up their vaccination record online.

If you are having trouble finding your vaccination record or are not able to go online, you can call 401-222-8022 for help.

Providence, Pawtucket and Central Falls have opened up vaccine eligibility to residents 16+ or 18+ (as appropriate based on the specific vaccine offered). Eligibility is restricted by zip code for Providence and Pawtucket.

To find if eligibility has opened for your zip code and to register for a vaccine appointment, please visit the cities COVID-19 pages.

Providence

Pawtucket

Central Falls

Individuals who are Medicaid members or over the age of 60 may request transportation to a vaccination appointment through MTM online or by phone 1-855-330-9131 (TTY: 711), at least 48 hours before the vaccination appointment.

If you are unable to leave your home to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, you can submit a request to the Rhode Island Department of Health to receive an In-Home COVID-19 vaccination.

If you require assistance to complete the online form, please contact The Point at 401-462-4444.

The Rhode Island Department of Health has created a COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ document that is updated regularly. It includes information on prevention, testing, treatment of COVID-19 and COVID-19 distribution in Rhode Island.

You can find the most current FAQ posted on RIDOH’s website.

No, you cannot get the COVID-19 vaccine if you are currently infected. If you have tested positive for COVID-19, you must wait until you have completed your isolation period and are considered recovered. It is uncommon for people who do get COVID-19 again to get it within 90 days of when they recovered from their first infection. For this reason, you can delay your vaccination until 90 days after infection, if you would like.

Please visit the RIDOH FAQ page for more information on COVID-19 prevention and vaccination.

Because there’s a small chance you may still get infected and spread the virus to others once you’ve received any COVID-19 vaccine, you still need to wear a mask, get tested as needed, and keep your distance from people you don’t live with. You should also isolate if you have tested positive or have symptoms.

Please visit the CDC website for further guidance on how to protect yourselves and others after being fully vaccinated.

Yes. Undocumented immigrants are eligible for vaccine in Rhode Island. No questions about immigration status will be asked at vaccination appointments. We do not share information with immigration authorities. *Please note that for vaccinations happening in Central Falls, you may be asked for proof of residency (e.g., identification, driver’s license, utility bill, rent bill). This is because they are prioritizing vaccine for community members. For more information and resources for undocumented immigrants, please see here.

Wear a face covering any time you are near people you do not live with to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. Your mask should fit snugly but comfortably over your nose, mouth, and chin without gaps.

Please visit the RIDOH website for information on wearing the right mask, how to wear a mask and mask care.

Starting the week of February 15^th, State testing sites will be distributing KN-95 masks. If you get tested once a week, you can get a new high-quality mask every week.

There are many respiratory illnesses circulating in Rhode Island, such as the flu and the common cold. Having respiratory symptoms does not mean that you have COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The CDC recommends these steps:

• • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
  • Socially distance from others. Social distancing means keeping space between yourself and other people outside of your home.
    • Stay at least 6 feet from other people
    • Do not gather in groups
    • Stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty. For information about hand washing, see CDC’s hand washing website.
  • Governor Raimondo announced an executive order mandating any person who is out in public, whether indoors or outdoors to wear cloth face coverings whenever six feet of social distance cannot be maintained. As well, all persons are required to wear masks or face coverings inside grocery stores, pharmacies or other retail stores.
    • Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a cloth face covering or face mask:
      • • CDC recommends wearing a cloth face covering when you go out in public, like to the grocery store. For more information on face cloth covering visit the CDC website.
        • Face masks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of face masks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).

Rhode Island COVID-19 Wellness Housing is available to Rhode Islanders and provides safe quarantine housing for people who are not sick but have been exposed to COVID-19. The housing is for close contacts who are unable to stay separate from the people they live with who has COVID-19.

For more information about this housing resource, please visit the RIDOH website.

For most up to date resources related to food assistance, prescription delivery, internet access for distance learning, information for seniors and veterans, and other programs please go to United Way of Rhode Island’s Community Resource page that is updated daily or call 2-11.

For information about rent relief for renters and landlords, visit Rent Relief RI. This program will provide rental and utility relief payments to help eligible renters maintain housing stability.

For information on the resources available to Rhode Islanders during the COVID-19 crisis, visit The Economic Progress Institute.

Neighborhood has a Nurse Advice Line. Our Nurse Advice Line is available to all members. It has caring nurses available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To speak to a nurse, call the Neighborhood Nurse Advice Line at 1-844-617-0563 (TTY 711).

The nurse can help you with:

• Deciding where to go for care; like your provider, urgent care or the emergency room.
• Questions about your health concerns or medications.
• Taking care of your health at home.

The Nurse Advice Line is not an emergency service. Call 911 if you think you are having an emergency.

On Wednesday, March 18, 2020 Governor Raimondo announced an executive order that requires health insurance companies to cover all medically-appropriate telemedicine visits done telephonically, temporarily during the COVID-19 emergency. Previously, only primary and behavioral health care services were covered via telephone, but this new order expands coverage to any medically-appropriate visit type.

Neighborhood has expanded telemedicine coverage for all members to include clinically appropriate and medically necessary services to support you in accessing care. If your plan usually has co pays, deductibles or other cost-sharing, you will not need to pay for the services outlined below.

Neighborhood will cover telemedicine/telephonic services provided by the following provider types:

• Primary care physicians
• All Medical Specialists – defined as any MD, DO, NP and PA
• Optometrists
• Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (DPM’s)
• Lactation Consultants
• Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapists
• Diabetes Educators
• Nutritionists
• Midwifes
• Urgent Care Centers
• Emergency Departments
• Retail Based Clinics

Your telemedicine visit with your providers can be done through Apple FaceTime, Facebook Messenger video chat, Google Hangouts video, Skype or telephonically.

If you suspect you have COVID-19, contact your provider. Neighborhood will cover the cost for telemedicine/telephone-only services if you suspect you have COVID-19 and are contacting your provider to evaluate your symptoms for COVID-19. If your plan usually has co pays, deductibles or other cost-sharing, you will not need to pay for this service.

Neighborhood’s behavioral health partner Optum, offers virtual visits so you can receive confidential care without leaving your home. For more information on accessing virtual visits, go to live and work well to locate providers and schedule an appointment with them online.

Neighborhood has expanded telemedicine coverage for all members to include clinically appropriate and medically necessary services to support you in accessing care. If your plan usually has co pays, deductibles or other cost-sharing, you will not need to pay for the services outlined below.

For Commercial members only, Neighborhood is temporarily waiving prior authorizations for all behavioral health and all inpatient medical services regardless of whether they are COVID-19 related or not. No prior authorizations are required for treatment regardless of diagnosis for all levels of behavioral health services, and for medical and surgical inpatient services. Neighborhood will still require your provider to notify Neighborhood of your inpatient stays. These waivers apply to both in-network and out-of-network providers.

Neighborhood still requires prior authorizations for medical outpatient services and prescription drugs. Neighborhood is continuing to assess provider and member ease of access during this state of emergency.

Neighborhood has temporarily changed our policy so you can refill prescriptions earlier than the standard 30 days. This applies to all medications except a few, such as controlled substances and Specialty medications. For medications that treat chronic conditions, you may have access up to a 90-day supply refill or multiple fills of a 30-day supply. Please note that consecutive filling is at the discretion of the dispensing pharmacist. For example, if there is limited inventory of medications at that pharmacy, the pharmacist may not be able to dispense multiple fills at once.

Commercial and Neighborhood INTEGRITY (Medicare-Medicaid Plan) Members Only: Access mail order pharmacy through CVS Mail Service Pharmacy to receive convenient delivery of your maintenance medications to the location of your choice. Enroll online at www.Caremark.com or download the Mail Service Order form.

One to two-day delivery is available at almost all CVS pharmacy locations.

Controlled substances and medications that require refrigeration cannot be delivered from most CVS locations at this time.

Some local pharmacies are offering home delivery for prescriptions for a limited time such as Green Line Apothecary, Walgreens and White Cross Pharmacy. Please call any of these local pharmacies for more details.

Neighborhood wants you to be get the services you need to be healthy and well. If your PCP is not available due to the COVID-19 emergency, you can go to another PCP. Please access Neighborhood’s provider directory here to find an in-network provider or call the Rhode Island Department of Health’s hotline at 401-222-8022.

Yes, Neighborhood will cover any medically necessary health care costs related to COVID-19. If you meet the testing guidelines set by the CDC, Neighborhood will cover the cost of the test, and you will not need to pay any copays, deductibles, or other cost-sharing.

Rhode Island also offers testing at locations across the state, find more information here.

For the duration of the state of emergency, Rhode Island has temporarily stopped most terminations and quarterly income verifications for Medicaid.

If you have experienced a recent change in your household income, contact HealthSource RI to update your account as you may qualify for additional assistance.

For information about assistance programs available to Rhode Islanders, check out the Economic Progress Institutes Guide to Assistance.

Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island will never contact you requesting your insurance information. Remember to never give out your personal information (including your membership number) over the phone to any unknown callers. Federal and local law enforcement agencies across the country are warning the public about coronavirus and COVID-19 scans. If you think you are a victim of a scam or attempted fraud involving COVID-19, please report it to the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 1-866-720-5721 or email disaster@leo.gov.

To protect yourself and your loved ones, visit the U.S. Office of the Inspector General’s website to learn more about COVID-19 fraud.