OptumRx/Tufts Home Delivery Letter Sent in Error

US Family Health Plan members may have recently received a letter from OptumRx/Tufts about the Optum Home Delivery benefit. If you received one, please ignore it.  OptumRx/Tufts sent this letter by mistake.  Please continue to rely on the information that US Family Health Plan sent to you in a letter dated December 5, 2022. We are sending you another copy of that letter in the US Mail.

Telehealth Copays

August 22, 2022. In May 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Defense (DoD) issued a waiver of copayments for telehealth services. The waiver was part of efforts by federal, state, and local governments to encourage people to stay home, avoiding exposure and reducing the transmission of the virus.

Since that time, vaccines have fortunately become widely available, and the government will soon end the waiver. Although telehealth services remain a covered US Family Health Plan benefit, starting September 6, 2022, Plan members who make copayments for covered health care services (including mental health services) will also make copayments for telehealth services. Telehealth services include services provided by our network providers as well as services provided through the Teladoc® program.

• Retirees and family members without Medicare Part B (as well as non-active-duty dependents under age 65) will continue to make copayments for health care services (including mental health services) covered by the Plan. As of September 6, they will also make copayments for telehealth services.

• Active-duty family members and/or members with Medicare Part B do not make copayments for covered health care services and are not affected by the repeal of the waiver.

 If you have any questions about this change please call Member Services at 1.800.818.8589. (Please note that the phone number in the letter mailed to members August 17, 2022 was incorrect.  We apologize for the mistake.)

Monkeypox Vaccine Information

August 16, 2022. Learn about the JYNNEOS vaccine for monkeypox and its availability in Massachusetts at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/monkeypox-vaccination. Learn about the vaccine’s availability in Rhode Island at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/monkeypox-vaccination.

Change to National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Access

As of  July 16, 2022, access to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and the Veterans Crisis Line is easier. Americans can now call or text to 988 if they or someone they care about are experiencing a mental health crisis or are at risk of suicide. The 988 number replaces the longer number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (phone or text 800.273.8255). A new 988 (then press 1) number replaces 800.273.8255 (then press 1), the original number for the Veterans Crisis Line, bringing callers to specialized assistance for military veterans and their families.

COVID-19 Vaccinations and Treatment

December 16, 2022.  Starting today, the federal government is resuming its free at-home COVID-19 test program. Every U.S. household is eligible to order four tests, which will be delivered by the U.S. Postal Service.  Go to covidtests.gov and click on "Order free at-home tests" to order your tests.

July 7, 2022.  Have you tested positive for COVID-19? The Massachusetts Department of Public Health can help. Use their free telehealth service as soon as you can to see if Paxlovid is right for you. If it is, the DPH will have it ready at a local pharmacy or deliver it to your home. Learn more at  https://t.co/CUIk2n7wfI.

June 21, 2022.  Have you tested positive for COVID-19? Free treatment options can help reduce your symptoms and prevent you from getting seriously sick. The sooner you start, the better. Call your doctor ASAP and find out more at https://t.co/TY16IDVl57. 

March 31, 2022. The CDC has launched COVID.gov, a one-stop toolkit to help users find vaccines, treatments, and testing and to provide community-level data. 

The Massachusetts website that provides COVID-19 information now includes information on obtaining a digital vaccine card, selecting and using a safe mask, and obtaining vaccines and boosters. Go to mass.gov/CovidVaccine.

March 30, 2022. The CDC has updated its recommendations to allow certain immunocompromised people and people over age 50 who received a first booster dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months ago to be eligible for another mRNA booster to increase their protection against severe disease from COVID-19. Adults who received a primary vaccine and booster dose of Johnson & Johnson's Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months ago may now receive a second booster using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

January 11, 2022. US Family Health Plan covers the cost of COVID-19 vaccinations and booster shots for Plan members in eligible age groups, whether they obtain their vaccination at a pharmacy, health center, or other location. If you have an order from your doctor and a COVID test is deemed medically necessary, the cost will be covered by US Family Health Plan. "At home" tests are not covered by the Plan.  Learn more at https://www.tricare.mil/covid19testing.

December 2021. COVID-19 vaccination is now recommended for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or who might become pregnant.   

As of November 19, 2021, booster shots are available to all adults 18 and older who received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, if at least six months have passed since their second dose. They are also eligible if they have received the single-dose J&J vaccine, if at least two months have passed since they received the vaccine.

In Massachusetts, to find places to receive a booster, go to vaxfinder.mass.gov.  In Rhode Island, go to VaccinateRI.org. 

If You Have COVID-19 Symptoms

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, have been in close contact with a person sick with COVID-19, or traveled to an area with widespread or ongoing community spread of COVID-19, do not make an appointment or walk into your provider's office. Instead, stay at home and call your provider's office so they can assess your symptoms. Members may also call the 24-Hour Nurse Advice Line at 1.866.767.4546.

COVID-19 Resources

These government resources are updated often:

Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

TRICARE
https://www.tricare.mil/HealthWellness/HealthyLiving/Coronavirus

Massachusetts Department of Public Health
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-public-health

State of Rhode Island Department of Health
https://health.ri.gov/diseases/ncov2019/

Online VA Workshops Help You Get a Handle on Your Health

It's easy to learn about a range of health and wellness topics in the privacy of your home. The Veterans Administration (VA) offers free, confidential, online workshops on topics including insomnia, anger management, problem-solving, and parenting skills.  Go to  https://veterantraining.va.gov to get started.

Closing of Hanscom AFB Medical Practice

January 25, 2022. Starting February 1, 2022, our medical practice at Hanscom AFB will be closing. Plan members were sent a letter in in December about the change and about options for care, which include seeing Mara Wermuth, NP; Dr. Larry Chin; Dr. Lester Sheehan (orthopedics); Dr. Scott Horwitz (podiatry); and other providers at St. Elizabeth's Health Care at Brighton Marine, 77 Warren Street, in Brighton, MA. Please call Member Services at 800.818.8589 with any questions you may have or for help finding a provider near you.