May 28, 2020
County Enters Stage Two of State’s Resiliency Roadmap
On Saturday May 23, 2020, the State approved the County of Orange’s plan to move into stage two of the resiliency’s roadmap. Stage two allows businesses to reopen with the following adaptations:

  • In-person dining reservations
  • Retail shopping with social distancing and curbside pickup
  • Manufacturing
  • Offices (when telework not possible)
  • Outdoor museums
  • Limited services

The County Health Officer issued a new health order and strong recommendations to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in Orange County. 

Orders:

  1. Self-isolation of persons with COVID-19
  2. Self-quarantine of persons exposed to COVID-19
  3. Businesses re-opening to comply with industry specific checklists
  4. Cloth face-coverings to be worn in public places.

Recommendations:

  1. Social distancing of 6 feet
  2. Residents 65 years and older with underlying medical conditions should remain home
  3. All Orange County residents to avoid contact with people who are sick

Click here to access the order, recommendations, and a list of frequently asked questions created by the Orange County Health Care Agency.
CalOptima Covers Disinfectant Products
and Gloves for Members Through Pharmacy Benefit
Due to COVID-19, CalOptima is temporarily covering the items listed below through the pharmacy benefit for Medi-Cal, One Care and OneCare Connect Cal MediConnect Plan (Medicare-Medicaid Plan) members. 

What is temporarily covered?

  • Gloves are a normal part of the formulary. The limit has increased to 200 gloves per month.
  • A limited number of disinfectant products such as isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) and sodium hypochlorite (Dakin’s) are available. Quantity is limited to one 16 fl. oz. (473mL) bottle per month.
  • Some types of ethyl alcohol-based hand sanitizer products are covered.
 
What you must remember:

  • All products require a prescription.
  • Some products may require a prior authorization.
  • Pharmacies may not have items in stock.

If members have questions, they can call us at:

  • Medi-Cal: 1-888-587-8088
  • OneCare Connect: 1-855-705-8823
  • OneCare: 1-877-412-2734
  • TTY for Medi-Cal, OneCare Connect and OneCare: 1-800-735-2929
Mental Health Resources
CalOptima’s Behavioral Health Integration department compiled a list of mental health resources in Orange County to help ease the stress during the
COVID-19 pandemic. CalOptima members can access behavioral health services by calling 1-855-877-3885, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Free COVID-19 Testing for Essential Workers
The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program helps participants save up to 30% on their monthly Southern California Edison (SCE) electric bill. People who recently lost their jobs may qualify. Click  here  for more information. SCE is also giving customers their October climate dividend credit of about $37 to be paid early and split evenly between bills during May 12–June 10 and June 23–July 23. This is in addition to the $37 credit residential customers already received in April.

In addition to the CARE program, SCE is assisting the community during the COVID-19 pandemic by:

  • Energy Assistance Fund increased the amount of bill relief for income-qualified customers experiencing COVID-19 financial hardship due to the quarantine.
  • Suspending service disconnections for nonpayment and is waiving late fees for those impacted by the COVID-19 emergency.
  • Rate plan comparison tool to compare rate plans for several lower time-of-use rates during daytime hours.
  • A targeted rate reduction, which means the high usage charge is being reduced through October 31st
UCI and County of Orange Partner on
Large-Scale COVID-19 Infection Survey
The University of California, Irvine is partnering with the  Orange County Health Care Agency  to participate in a rigorous, large-scale, population-based study expected to take place in June. It will generate a more accurate estimate of the true prevalence of the COVID-19 pandemic in Orange County.

The survey will involve serological testing of a representative sample of 5,000 Orange County residents to determine if they have COVID-19 antibodies. It will help guide county health officials as they ease social distancing requirements and gradually reopen the economy. Also, it will allow officials to better identify at-risk populations and understand how long immunity to the virus lasts. An initial report will be issued this summer, with another report released in early fall.
When caregivers suffer from depression, it impacts their ability to provide the care and attention their child needs to thrive. One in five adults live with a mental illness, as well as millions of children, according to the National Institute for Children’s Heath Quality . Read these Fast Facts for key actions and strategies to help parents access supportive interventions.
Online Application Now Available for Pandemic EBT
Families with children who are eligible for Free or Reduced-Price meals that have not yet received a P-EBT card in the mail, can now apply for P-EBT benefits online. Phase two of the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) process in California began on May 22, 2020, according to the California Department of Education Nutrition Services Division. 
CalOptima Regulatory Highlights
Due to the rapidly changing situation surrounding COVID-19, CalOptima is posting a round-up of federal/state rules, guidance and news related to COVID-19. It will be updated frequently, as we receive information from our regulatory agencies.

Below are recent COVID-19 Regulatory Highlights:

  • COVID-19 - CMS Summary of Recent Actions 5/19/20 (posted 5/20/20)
  • COVID-19 Face-to-Face Care Coordination Flexibilities Extended (posted 5/20/20)
  • Nursing Home Reopening Recommendations and new Toolkit for State and Local Officials (posted 5/19/20)
  • CMS COVID-19 - Summary of Recent Actions May 15, 2020 (posted 5/18/20)
  • DHCS Recommendations During COVID-19 (posted 5/15/20)

For COVID-19 Regulatory Highlights prior to May 15, 2020, please visit the Providers section of our website.
CalOptima Provider Alerts
Below is the recent Provider Alert:

  • Provider Alert: Peer Sharing Webinar (posted 5/26/20)
  • Provider Alert: OC HCA Case Investigation and Contact Tracing (posted 5/22/20)

For Provider updates prior to May 22, 2020, please visit the Providers section of our website.
 
Providers and other health care professionals with questions can contact the Provider Relations department by phone at 714-246-8600 or email at providerservices@caloptima.org . 
How to Contact CalOptima During the COVID-19 Pandemic
CalOptima Customer Service remains ready to respond to member needs. Members can call Customer Service from the safety of their home, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have staff who speak their language.

  • Medi-Cal toll-free: 1-888-587-8088
  • OneCare Connect toll-free: 1-855-705-8823
  • OneCare toll-free: 1-877-412-2734
  • TTY users can call toll-free at 1-800-735-2929.
  • PACE at 1-714-468-1100 or toll-free at 1-855-785-2584
  • PACE TTY users can call toll-free at 1-714-468-1063.

We are continuing to serve our members through our Customer Service phone lines, as we adhere to guidelines to reduce the possibility of transmission. Our buildings are closed to visitors .

CalOptima
505 City Parkway West
Orange, CA 92868
 
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly ( PACE)
13300 Garden Grove Blvd.
Garden Grove, CA 92843
 
County Community Service Center
15496 Magnolia Street, Suite 111
Orange, CA 92610

For CalOptima specific updates on COVID-19, please visit our home page at www.caloptima.org .

Providers and other health care professionals with questions can contact the Provider Relations department by phone at 714-246-8600 or email at providerservices@caloptima.org . Providers can also visit the Providers section of our website at: www.caloptima.org/en/Features/COVID19/ProviderCommunication.aspx

 National information can be found on the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) website at  www.coronavirus.gov and local information can be found at the Orange County Health Care Agency (OC HCA) website at www.occovid19.ochealthinfo.com .