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Member FAQ- COVID-19

How can I get tested for COVID-19? 

If you feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, it’s best to call your doctor or urgent care center instead of going in person. That way they can set up a safe space for when you arrive. If your doctor believes you need to be tested, there is no pre-authorization required and testing will be covered under your usual health plan benefits. 

Is COVID-19 testing covered? 

During the Federal Public Health Emergency declaration, molecular and antigen tests to diagnose COVID-19 and testing for antibodies are covered if they’re ordered by a provider or pharmacist and are part of appropriate medical care. Tests must be performed at a CLIA-certified lab or the test manufacturer must have FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to be covered. Tests are covered at no cost to members. This includes the office visit for molecular and antigen testing. COVID-19 tests for public health tracking, employment, surveillance, or extracurricular activities, such as travel, school, sports, or summer camps may not be covered by your health plan. 

Is COVID-19 diagnostic testing administered outside the United States covered? 

You may submit an International Claim Form Download pdf  
for COVID-19 diagnostic testing administered outside the United States Note: If your services were rendered on a cruise ship, please use the Member Reimbursement Claim Complete Online or Download pdf . Your claim may be reimbursable if you can provide the required documentation and the test was ordered by a provider or pharmacist and was part of appropriate medical care. 

I don’t have symptoms, what about testing for workplace, travel, or recreational screening? Will my test be covered? 

The short answer is, it depends on the specific coverage of your health plan. Sign in to your RGA account by clicking on the blue RGA Member Login button on the top of this page and review your specific COVID-19 coverage in your SPD, call our Customer Care team at 1-866-738-3924 M-F 6:00 am - 6:00 pm PT or send us a note through your RGA account.

There is no requirement in the Families First Coronavirus Response (Families First) Act and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to cover COVID-19 testing for non-diagnostic purposes such as public health tracking, employment, surveillance, or extracurricular activities, such as travel, school, sports, or summer camps.  

I already had one test. Can I get another test? 

Yes, if additional COVID-19 diagnostics tests are ordered by the member’s provider or pharmacist and are part of appropriate medical care during the Federal Public Health Emergency, your health plan will cover more than one antigen and molecular diagnostic tests and antibody tests at no cost to members. The associated office visit for antigen and molecular diagnostic tests is also covered at no cost to members. 

Who can order a test? 

Doctors, pharmacists, and other health care providers can order tests. Tests can be performed at a medical facility or a pharmacy. 

What should I do if I believe I was in contact with someone with COVID-19? 

The CDC has the most relevant and up-to-date resources for people who think they may have been exposed to COVID-19. 

We are committed to taking action to ensure our members have access to the care they need. If your doctor recommends COVID-19 testing, you can get the FDA-approved test without pre-approval.

Where can I get a test if I don’t have symptoms? 

If you have reason to believe that you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 and are not symptomatic, contact your healthcare provider for testing guidance. If your healthcare provider does not order testing or if you are seeking testing for other non-symptomatic reasons, your county health department likely lists locations that offer non-symptomatic testing.  

What should I know about testing?

We've created an overview here to answer questions about the different kinds of tests available

What are the symptoms of COVID-19? 

Symptoms include mild to severe fever, cough, difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Symptoms may occur 2-14 days after exposure to COVID-19. Some people never have symptoms, but still carry the coronavirus and can infect others. For the latest information about COVID-19, please visit the CDC website. 

What should I do if I have symptoms of COVID-19? 

If you have symptoms like those listed above, limit your exposure to others and call your doctor, pharmacist, or urgent care. If you need help finding a doctor or urgent care center, call our Customer Care team at 1-866-738-3924 M-F 6:00 am - 6:00 pm PT or send us a note through your RGA account. You can always access our provider search website 24/7/365. Enter your location and type in 'urgent care' to locate an in-network facility. 

Is there a treatment for COVID-19? 

Some specific treatments for COVID-19 have been approved or granted emergency use authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Treatment for COVID-19 is patient-specific and directed by the attending provider. 

What can I do to protect myself? 

The best protection for you, your loved ones and the general public is to get the COVID-19 vaccine once it becomes available. In the meantime, the best way to prevent illness is to avoid exposure. Everyday preventive actions can help prevent the spread of all respiratory diseases. These actions include: 

  • Wearing a face mask when you’re in public or when you’re with people outside your household and can’t maintain a six-foot distance from them. 

  • Avoiding crowds, especially indoors. 

  • Washing 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 or coughing. 

  • If soap and water are not readily available, using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty. 

  • Staying home when you’re sick. 

  • Avoiding close contact with people who are sick. 

  • Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. 

  • Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in the trash. 

Routine or elective care during COVID-19 

If you have been postponing routine care, such as childhood immunizations or care for a chronic condition, now may be a good time to reach out to your doctor to check in. Some visits can be held using telehealth, but others may require an in-person visit. It is important to avoid delays in follow up clinical care with your doctor. This is especially true for people with chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or chronic lung issues such as asthma or COPD. 

Many doctor’s offices have established a new protocol for scheduling routine visits, keeping waiting areas safe, and requiring personal protective equipment, such as masks, for all visitors. 

  • Questions to ask your doctor when scheduling a follow-up visit include: 

  • Can this visit be conducted through telehealth or virtual care? 

  • What is the protocol to park, check in, and be seen for an in-person office visit? 

  • What are the precautions being taken (such as wearing masks, limiting patient volume, or disinfection practices) to guard against COVID-19 for your patients and staff? 

  • Are sick patients separated from well patients when seen for in-person office visits? 

  • Do you have separate waiting areas for well visits or elective procedure follow up visits? 

  • Does a separate staff support routine clinical visits versus those assisting in sick patients? 

  • Are you scheduling well patient visits or elective procedure check ins at specific times of day, separating them from sick visits? 

If you have been waiting for an elective procedure, such as a knee replacement, some practices are beginning to lift restrictions. Contact your doctor’s office directly to learn more about what or when such procedures may resume. To learn more, visit your state’s health department website. 

As a member, you can… 

Access your health plan account. Sign in to your myRGA account to find in-network health care providers, specific benefits, and cost-sharing information for treatment and testing of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory conditions. If you receive a COVID-19 test via a drive-thru location, the test will be covered the same as in a doctor’s office. Request early prescription refills. If you need help, call the number for pharmacy benefits on your RGA member ID card. Talk to your health care provider about telehealth/telemedicine. Telehealth options may be available through your plan. Sign in to your RGA account and review your coverage for telehealth and telemedicine as not every plan offers these services. 

There’s a lot of information out there about COVID-19. What sources should I trust? 

Trusted sources for the most up-to-date information about COVID are the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and the health department in your state. 

Federal regulatory COVID-19 updates: