Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advisory

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in China and which has now been detected in almost 70 locations internationally, including in the United States. The virus has been named "SARS-CoV-2" and the disease it causes has been named "coronavirus disease 2019" (abbreviated "COVID-19"). IEHP will continually update you on the latest recommendations, news, and resources on COVID-19 as it becomes available.

In an effort to provide the most up-to-date treatments against COVID-19, IEHP continues to maintain a list of providers, including but not limited to infusion clinics, ancillary, hospital and non-hospital based infusion centers offering COVID-19 infusion therapy treatment. Under all Member coverage, outpatient COVID therapeutics will be offered immediately after a Member is determined to be clinically eligible under and Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).

For more information, Providers can utilize the COVID-19 Therapeutics Clinical Consult Line to connect with other clinicians for a free and confidential consultation on COVID-19 testing and treatment: 1-866-268-4322 (1-866-COVID-CA).

DHCS has carved out the COVID-19 vaccine from Medi-Cal managed care health plans and will reimburse providers under the Fee-for-Service (FFS) delivery system for both medical and pharmacy claims. Medi-Cal will reimburse the associated COVID-19 vaccine administration fee at the allowable Medicare rate for all claims (medical, outpatient, and pharmacy), based on the number of required doses for all Medi-Cal beneficiaries.

CalVax is a state-wide centralized system for health care Providers enrolled or interested in participating in the California COVID-19 Vaccination Program, developed by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

The new CalVax platform will provide a system to manage vaccine enrollment, ordering, inventory, administration, reporting and data analytics. Training materials such as job aids, videos, and recorded demos will be available to support all system users as they navigate through the new CalVax platform.

Even with decreasing cases and hospitalizations, those with high-risk conditions who have tested positive for COVID-19 are encouraged to get monoclonal antibody treatment at Riverside University Health System (RUHS) – Medical Center.

In January, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) limited the use of certain monoclonal antibody therapies that were ineffective against the omicron variant. In response, RUHS – Medical Center is administering sotrovimab, an IV infusion shown to be effective against omicron and other variants.

If you do not have the ability to collect specimens for COVID-19, please refer to your County Public Health resources for guidance on directing Members for testing.  

IEHP is strongly encouraging the utilization of telehealth for visits that can be conducted over the phone or via other audiovisual telecommunications.  IEHP has published a telehealth FAQ which is available here:

• IEHP expects that Providers will offer telehealth services and support to their Members during their published business hours. 
• Existing authorizations are valid and do not need to be changed even if services are being provided via telehealth.
• You can request a POS 02 or POS 10 on your authorization however if you do not, you can still utilize the authorization for telehealth services even if a different POS was approved. When billing the claim for the service, you will utilize a POS 02 or POS 10.
• ONLY Services that are deemed clinically appropriate to provide via telehealth should be provided via telehealth. If there are treatments, exams, procedures or other services that cannot be provided via telehealth, those are not eligible to be provided via telehealth. 

The San Bernardino County Medical Society promotes the science and art of medicine, the care and well-being of patients, the protection of the public health and to promote the betterment of the medical profession. The latest news, research and developments on the COVID-19 outbreak for physicians can be found here:

2-1-1 San Bernardino County has curated a COVID-19 Resource & Information Guide and will update this page regularly as the situation changes. For more information, please click here.

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader 6.0 or later to view the PDF files. You can download a free copy by clicking here.