Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

General Information

Community Health Choice is monitoring the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and providing the most updated information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Texas Department of State Health Services, and the Harris County Public Health Department. We will update this page as more information becomes available.

Most current as of November 16, 2023

Health Conditions at Increased Risk

People of ANY AGE with the following conditions are NOW DEFINED TO BE AT INCREASED RISK of severe illness from COVID-19. Please read the full list and more specific advice from the CDC.

At INCREASED RISK for severe illness from COVID-19:

Chronic kidney disease
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant
Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 or higher)
Serious heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
Sickle cell disease
Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Children who are medically complex are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 than other children.
- Those who have neurologic, genetic, and metabolic conditions
- Those who have congenital heart disease

MAY be at an INCREASED RISK for severe illness from COVID-19:

Asthma (moderate-to-severe)
Cerebrovascular disease (affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain)
Cystic fibrosis
Hypertension or high blood pressure
Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, or use of other immune weakening medicines Neurologic conditions, such as dementia
Liver disease
Pregnancy
Pulmonary fibrosis (having damaged or scarred lung tissues)
Smoking
Thalassemia (a type of blood disorder)
Type 1 diabetes mellitus

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) Associated with COVID-19 Infection

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Advisory on May 14, 2020 informing healthcare providers of a Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) Associated with COVID-19 infection. The Health Advisory and additional information provided by the CDC provide a case definition for this syndrome and a recommendation for healthcare providers to report patients meeting the case definition to local, state, and territorial health departments to enhance knowledge of risk factors, pathogenesis, clinical course, and treatment of this syndrome.

Case Definition for Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C):

An individual aged <21 years presenting with fever, laboratory evidence of inflammation, and evidence of clinically severe illness requiring hospitalization, with multisystem (>2) organ involvement (cardiac, renal, respiratory, hematologic, gastrointestinal, dermatologic or neurological); AND

No alternative plausible diagnoses; AND

Positive for current or recent SARS-CoV-2 infection by RT-PCR, serology, or antigen test; or COVID-19 exposure within the 4 weeks prior to the onset of symptoms

Additional information is available on the Health Advisory and the CDC pages as well as the CDC’s 24-hour Emergency Operations Center:

https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2020/han00432.asp

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/pediatric-hcp.html#anchor_1589580133375

CDC’s 24-hour Emergency Operations Center at 770-488-7100. After-hour phone numbers for health departments are available at the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists website https://resources.cste.org/epiafterhours.

COVID-19 Diagnosis, Testing, and Treatment

Please reference “Co-pays for some CHIP services will resume starting May 12, 2023” under the Provider Resources area for additional details.

Member Cost-Share

Please reference “Co-pays for some CHIP services will resume starting May 12, 2023” under the Provider Resources area for additional details.

Wellness Services during COVID-19

The American Academy of Pediatrics issued a statement on the importance of prioritization of well care services including childhood Immunizations and provided guidance on telehealth for pediatric well care. Recommendations include:

prioritize well child visits
provide care that is consistent with Bright Futures Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children and Adolescents (4th Edition) and Bright Futures/AAP Recommendations for Preventive Pediatric Health Care
in-person visits for newborn to 24 months are strongly suggested
telemedicine services for pediatric patients over 24 months and then complete missed elements (comprehensive physical exam, laboratory testing, immunizations, etc.) when an in-person visit is possible

Visit the following websites for additional information and resources:

AAP Guidance on Providing Pediatric Well-Care During COVID-19

AAP Pediatric Practice Management Tips During the COVID-19 Pandemic

CDC Information for Pediatric Healthcare Providers

Telemedicine

Community is encouraging our Members to use telemedicine whenever possible. Please continue to encourage use of telemedicine services.

Community is waiving copay and Member cost-share for telemedicine services of any modality for any reason.

Marketplace and DSNP Members: Continue zero cost-share for telemedicine services through Teladoc.
Marketplace and DSNP Members: Waive Member copay / cost-share for telemedicine services provided by network providers through January 31, 2022.
CHIP Members: Waive Member copay / cost-share for telemedicine services provided by network providers through January 31, 2022.
STAR Members: Access to and coverage of telemedicine services provided by network providers.

Prior Authorization Requirements

All inpatient admissions require authorization.
Notice of admission and clinical information required on all of our admitted Members.
- Receiving timely physician documentation, preferably a history and physical and physician progress notes, will allow for easier approvals.
- If a peer-to-peer call with our Medical Director is necessary to support approval, we are extending peer-to-peer calls to within 3 days of admission and as needed for extended stays.
As is always the case, authorizations are not required for emergency care (e.g., heart attack, labor, etc.).

Discharge Planning

Whether Members are admitted for COVID-19 related treatment or an unrelated condition, Community is committed to assisting with our Members’ discharge needs. Providing timely clinical information will help us to support your staff and prevent gaps of service, i.e., home health.

Safe discharge to home is a priority to us for member health and well-being and to prevent hospital readmission. Community receiving timely physician documentation, preferably a history and physical and physician progress notes, is essential for us to partner with your staff in this regard. Our goal is to assist Members after they leave your facility with care coordination following discharge.

Read what Community is sharing with Members about COVID-19.

Small Business Administration

SBA District Office
8701 S. Gessner Drive, Suite 1200
Houston, TX 77074
713.773.6500
[email protected]

Provider Resources

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Why Choose Community?

As a local nonprofit health plan, Community Health Choice gives you plenty of reasons to join our Community. From the benefits and special programs we offer to the way our Member Services team helps you make the most of them, Community is always working life forward for you and your family.

“Community Health Choice is always there to answer my questions and help me and my family with our medical needs. I truly appreciate and value their customer support and service.”
– Cecily
Member of Community Health Choice