Stay Informed. Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). If you would like to speak to our Advice Nurse Line, please call 1.888.433.1876.

The Alliance understands your health concerns about Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). We want to make sure you have all the information and resources you need to stay healthy. We are waiving all cost-sharing for medically necessary screening and testing for COVID-19.

Alliance members who complete their COVID-19 vaccine after April 1, 2022, may be eligible to receive an Alliance-sponsored $10 gift card, while supplies last.

Alameda Alliance for Health (Alliance) is working hard to keep our community healthy, safe, and strong! We want you to have the information you need about COVID-19 and the vaccine – to help you, your family, your friends, and your loved ones make the best decisions for your health.

The COVID-19 vaccine is still your best shot for protection and preventing hospitalization and death from coronavirus disease. It is the best way to help protect yourself and your loved ones! The vaccines are safe and effective.

Making an appointment is simple, and walk-up and in-home options are available. To schedule an appointment, please visit: bit.ly/AlCoSignUp or call 1.510.208.4VAX. If you need transportation assistance to get to a COVID-19 vaccination site, please call the Alliance transportation reservation line at 1.866.791.4158, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.

If you have questions about the vaccine or gift card process, please call the Alliance Member Services Department at 1.877.932.2738.

COVID-19

COVID-19 Therapeutics

The Alliance covers medically necessary COVID-19 therapeutics for all eligible members.

If you who have a positive home COVID-19 test, please contact your doctor to find out if COVID-19 therapeutic treatments are right for you.

If you need help contacting your doctor, please call:

COVID-19 Vaccines

The Food and Drug Administration authorized the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on December 11, and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on December 18. Pfizer expects to have up to 50 million doses available by the end of 2020, and Moderna expects to have up to 20 million by the end of the year.

Alameda County recently received its first shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine. The Alameda County Public Health Department is working to provide safe, equitable, and broad distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine to people who live and work in our county.

All Alliance members age six (6) months and older can receive the vaccine at no cost.

To learn more about local planning efforts and updates on the COVID-19 vaccine in Alameda County, please visit: https://covid-19.acgov.org/vaccines 

For more COVID-19 Information and Resources for Alameda County Residents:

1. Please visit: https://covid-19.acgov.org/index.page

2. For General COVID-19 Questions: please call 1.510.268.2101 or submit a question online

3. For COVID-19 Vaccine specific inquires, please email: covax@acgov.org

4. To receive a notification from Alameda County when it is your turn to get the vaccine, please click here.

5. To find a COVID-19 vaccine near you;

or

    • Text your zip code to GETVAX (for English) or VACUNA (for Spanish) you will get a message back with three (3) possible vaccination sites near you, with phone numbers to call for an appointment. 

Will the Alliance reimburse travelers for COVID-19 testing fees?

The Alliance is not able to reimburse travelers for COVID-19 testing fees. The Alliance is only able to reimburse members for medically necessary COVID-19 testing fees.

How Can I Get At-Home COVID-19 Tests At No Cost?

All Alliance members can order OTC COVID-19 rapid antigen tests from the federal government at www.COVIDtests.gov at no cost. Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order four (4) free at-home COVID-⁠19 tests from that website. For those who have difficulty accessing the Internet or need additional support placing an order, you can call their COVID-19 Vaccination Assistance Hotline at 1.800.232.0233 (TTY 1.888.720.7489).

ALLIANCE MEDI-CAL MEMBERS CAN ALSO GET OVER-THE-COUNTER COVID-19 RAPID ANTIGEN TESTS THROUGH MEDI-CAL RX

Starting on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Medi-Cal Rx program will cover over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 rapid antigen tests for Alameda Alliance for Health (Alliance) members in our Medi-Cal Plan at no cost. To get eligible OTC COVID-19 rapid antigen tests, please go to any participating Medi-Cal Rx pharmacy, or call Medi-Cal Rx at 1.800.541.5555 (TTY 1.800.430.7077) for more information.

Currently, the DCHS Medi-Cal Rx program will reimburse Alliance members in our Medi-Cal Plan for OTC COVID-19 rapid antigen tests purchased between Thursday, March 11, 2021, and Monday, January 31, 2022.

To request reimbursement for OTC COVID-19 rapid antigen tests from the DHCS Medi-Cal Rx program, please click here.

Please note: The Alliance will deny Medi-Cal reimbursement requests for OTC COVID-19 rapid antigen tests and ask you to send these reimbursement requests to Medi-Cal Rx.

ALLIANCE GROUP CARE MEMBERS CAN GET OVER-THE-COUNTER RAPID ANTIGEN TEST FROM ALLIANCE NETWORK PHARMACIES

Starting Saturday, January 15, 2022, Alameda Alliance for Health (Alliance) members in our Group Care Plan can get up to eight (8) over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 rapid antigen tests per month at no cost, through the Alliance pharmacy network. Simply by following the three (3) steps below:

    1. Visit your Alliance network pharmacy or any pharmacy in the Alliance network to obtain OTC COVID-19 rapid antigen tests.
    2. The COVID-19 rapid antigen tests must be FDA approved. Please consult with the pharmacist to confirm FDA approval.
    3. You must show your Alliance member ID card to verify eligibility.

To find an Alliance network pharmacy near you, please visit our online pharmacy directory at: www.alamedaalliance.org/help/find-a-pharmacy/

You may also call:

If you choose to purchase an eligible FDA-approved COVID-19 rapid antigen test from a retail store or pharmacy outside of the Alliance network, you will be reimbursed up to $12.00 a test, per federal guidelines. To request reimbursement for eligible tests, you must follow the steps below:

    1. Visit the online Alliance Member Portal at alamedaalliance.org
    2. Sign in to the online Alliance Member Portal to complete the online pharmacy reimbursement request form.
    3. Upload and attach a copy of the receipt for proof of purchase to the pharmacy reimbursement request form.
    4. You must also attest that the eligible tests are for personal use and not for other unauthorized purposes.
    5. You may only be reimbursed for up to eight (8) eligible tests per month at $12.00 per test.
    6. Only complete online reimbursement forms will be accepted.
    7. All completed reimbursement request forms and receipts must be submitted online through the secure Alliance Member Portal.
    8. Please note: You will need to sign in to the online Alliance Member Portal to complete the online pharmacy reimbursement form for OTC COVID-19 rapid antigen tests. To complete the online pharmacy reimbursement form, please click here.

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a virus that causes breathing problems in people. It was first found in Wuhan, China. The virus passes from one sick person to others through close contact and droplets in the air from coughing or sneezing (like the common cold or flu). Health experts are carefully watching this situation.

What are the Symptoms?

Most people who get COVID-19 feel like they have the flu. At this point, it looks like not many children are getting the virus. Older people, especially those who are already sick or have another disease like diabetes, or breathing problems are in danger of getting the most severe forms of this virus.

Symptoms can range from mild to severe. They include fever, cough and breathing problems.

How can you protect yourself and others?

  • Stay home if you are feeling sick until you feel better or are cleared by a doctor. Most people who get COVID-19 get better with good self-care and rest.
  • Keep at least six feet away from others whenever possible.
  • Wear a face covering when around people outside of your household. For more information on face coverings, please click here.
  • Use over-the-counter cold and flu medicines to control fever and ease your symptoms.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve and not into your hands.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to prevent the spread of the virus. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are the next best choice.
  • Keep your hands away from your nose, mouth and eyes as much as you can.
  • Get a flu shot! It’s not too late. The flu shot does not directly protect you from COVID-19, but it will help ease the impact of the flu.
  • If you smoke or vape, consider quittingSmokers who already have lung disease or reduced lung capacity could be at increased risk of serious illness.
  • Follow guidance from public health officials. Visit the Alameda County Department of Public Health, the California Department of Public Health, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention for daily updates.

What do you need to do if you have the symptoms?

If you think you might have COVID-19, call your doctor’s office. Tell them your symptoms and if you have traveled to China, South Korea, Italy, or Iran, or if you were around people who recently came back from those countries. Your doctor will tell you what to do next so you can get the care you need and not risk passing the virus to your friends and family.

If you can’t reach your doctor or if it’s after-hours, please call:

Alliance 24-Hour Advice Nurse Line
Medi-Cal Toll-Free: 1.888.433.1876
Group Care Toll-Free: 1.855.383.7873
People with hearing and speaking impairments 711/1.800.735.2929

Our Advice Nurse Line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our trained nurses offer medical advice and, if needed, will connect you with a doctor via phone or video chat.

What is "Social Distancing" and what does it mean to "Shelter in Place"?

Social distancing is a practice recommended by public health officials to stop or slow down the spread of contagious diseases. It requires the creation of physical space between individuals who may spread certain infectious diseases. The key is to minimize the number of gatherings as much as possible and to achieve space between individuals when events or activities cannot be modified, postponed, or canceled. Achieving space between individuals of approximately six feet is advisable.

 

The term “shelter in place” means to stay in your home and not leave unless necessary for one of the designated exceptions listed in the Order (see below). Some reasons you would leave your home are to get food, to get a prescription, to see a doctor, to go to work if your work is essential as defined in this Order, to take your child(ren) to and from childcare that is authorized under this Order, and to help people you care for get the things they need to live and be healthy and safe.

To learn more and read the Order, please click here.

Additional Information and COVID-19 Updates

For additional information and COVID-19 updates from trusted sources, please visit:

If you have any questions that are not addressed by the public health websites, please email nCoV@acgov.org or call 1.510.268.2101.

How to Get Care and Services

Important Information about Medi-Cal and COVID-19 from the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is closely monitoring the COVID-19 public health emergency. Although the way you get care may have changed for now to keep you safe, you can still get health services. For more information regarding this update, please click here.

For additional information and resources please also visit California’s COVID-19 website at https://covid19.ca.gov/.

If you would like to speak to our Advice Nurse Line please call 1.888.433.1876

Advice Nurse Line

If you can’t reach your doctor, the nurse line is ready to give you advice, any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Please call:

Medi-Cal Toll-Free: 1.888.433.1876
Group Care Toll-Free: 1.855.383.7873

What should I do if my doctors appointment has been canceled?

As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve rapidly, we want to reassure you that the safety of our members, providers, staff and community remains our highest priority. As part of this response, if you have an appointment that can be postponed, you may receive a phone call from your doctor’s office to reschedule your appointment and discuss your options. If you are an Alliance member and have questions or need help reaching your doctor’s office, please call:

How to get your prescriptions safely

  • Mail Order Delivery Services
    To help you stay home and avoid public places, we encourage you to use our mail order delivery service for both new and refill prescriptions. By using this service, you can get medicines mailed to your home at no cost by using standard shipping. It’s easy to get started. If you are an Alliance Member, please call:

Local Resources for Food and Other Services

Everyone is being affected by the coronavirus outbreak. If you need help with food, or other services, please see our local community partner resources below.

Food Programs:

General Resources:

  • To reach Governor Newsom’s statewide COVID-19 hotline for guidance, information, and resources, please call 1.833.544.2374
  • For all service resources, please call of visit 211
  • Tandem Virtual Story Time – Home with children while schools are closed? Join Tandem for virtual story time as they share their favorite children’s books and read them. Stories are offered in various languages. For more information on how to access, please click here.
  • Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program – Internet Access
    • All Medi-Cal Beneficiaries are eligible for the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program which provides up to $50 of assistance a month to help cover the cost of internet access. The monthly discounted internet service will be available until EBB funds are used up, or up to six months after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.
    • There is a limited amount of funds available and members may apply through https://www.getemergencybroadband.org/ or by mail to Emergency Broadband Support Center, P.O. Box 7081, London, Kentucky 40742 immediately, before the funds are completely allocated.

Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, the Alliance will assist members by telephone only

The Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD) has issued new guidance to help protect the general public from the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). Alameda Alliance for Health (Alliance) is taking proactive steps to protect the health of our community, members and employees by following these recommendations. Effective, Monday, March 16, 2020, the Alliance will assist members by telephone only. The Alliance is temporarily suspending all walk-in services for members at our office location, and postponing all in-person Member Orientation classes until future notice. You may call the Alliance or our Nurse Advice line for assistance when needed.

If you have any questions, please call:

Alliance Member Services Department
Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm
Phone Number: 1.510.747.4567
Toll-Free: 1.877.932.2738
People with hearing and speaking impairments (CRS/TTY): 711/1.800.735.2929

We apologize for the inconvenience.

Alameda County Social Services Agency Temporarily Closes Office Lobbies to Protect the Community Against the Spread of COVID-19

The Alameda County Social Services Agency (ACSSA) has temporarily restricted public access of its office lobbies until further notice as part of region wide efforts to protect the health and safety of its customers, workforce, and community at large, and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in public spaces. However, the ACSSA will continue to deliver services and keep customers connected with their benefits. For more information regarding this update, please click here.

Medi-Cal Eligibility

On March 17th, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order to delay Medi-Cal annual renewals and Medi-Cal terminations for 90 days. That means all Medi-Cal members will remain eligible for Medi-Cal until at least June 14, 2020.

For more information about applying for Medi-Cal or keeping your current Medi-Cal coverage, please click here.

COVID-19 Premium Waiver Due to Financial Hardship

If you or a member of your family is experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, you can receive temporary assistance (stopping your monthly premium payment or receiving credit for payments made during the public health emergency) by calling one of the following numbers and requesting a COVID-19 premium waiver:

Medi-Cal for Families programs:
Optional Targeted Low Income Program (OTLICP)
1.800.880.5305
Medi-Cal Access Infant Program (MCAIP)
1.800.880.5305
Medi-Cal Access Program (MCAP)
1.800.433.2611
County Children’s Health Initiative (CCHIP)
1.833.912.2447

Note: For all of the above programs, call center hours are Monday through Friday from 8 am to 7 pm, or Saturday from 8 am to Noon. TTY/TTD and language services are available.