<h2><strong>CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)</strong></h2>
<p>Timely COVID-19 updates and resources for TOP Providers can be found below.</p>
<p>For COVID-19 information for TOP beneficiaries, click <a href="https://tricare-overseas.com/beneficiaries/resources/COVID-19" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<h4><strong>COVID-19 Updates for TOP Providers</strong></h4>
<p>While the U.S.’ <a href="https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/covid-19-public-health-emergency/index.html" target="_blank">Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19</a> expired on May 11, 2023, beneficiaries will still have access to COVID-19 vaccines, testing, and treatments through TRICARE. In addition, many <a href="https://www.tricare.mil/CoveredServices/IsItCovered/Telemedicine" target="_blank">Telemedicine services</a> are now a permanent TRICARE benefit. Keep these changes in mind:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>COVID-19 Testing: </strong>Beneficiaries may have a cost-share for COVID-19 testing. TRICARE only covers COVID-19 tests that are medically necessary and ordered by a <a href="https://tricare.mil/FindDoctor/AllProviderDirectories" target="_blank">TRICARE-authorized provider</a>. TRICARE For Life beneficiaries can learn how Medicare coverage of COVID-19 testing is changing <a href="https://www.medicare.gov/medicare-coronavirus" target="_blank">here</a>.</li>
<li><strong>Telemedicine: </strong>To help protect privacy, all providers must now use HIPAA-compliant Telemedicine platforms. The latest TOP Telemedicine information for providers can be found <a href="https://tricare-overseas.com/providers/resources/telemedicine" target="_blank">here</a>.</li>
<li><strong>Clinical Trials: </strong>Temporary coverage of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases–sponsored COVID-19 clinical trials ended April 10, 2023. If a beneficiary was enrolled in a covered trial on or before April 10, 2023, their care will be covered through the end of the trial.</li>
<li><strong>Skilled Nursing Facilities:</strong> A temporary waiver of the requirement for a three-day prior hospital stay before admission to a skilled nursing facility ended for new admissions after April 10, 2023.</li>
</ul>
<h4><strong>COVID-19 Resources for TOP Providers</strong></h4>
<p>The latest COVID-19 resources can be found <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Vaccines are still the most effective tool to prevent serious illness, <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/long-term-effects/index.html" target="_blank">long-term effects</a>, and death from COVID-19 – even if the individual has had COVID-19 in the past. As outlined in <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html" target="_blank">recently updated CDC guidance</a>:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Everyone 6 years and older</strong> is up-to-date if they have received 1 updated (bivalent) Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of whether they have received any <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html#original-vaccines" target="_blank">original COVID-19 vaccines</a>. If you are 65 or older, you may get a second dose of the updated vaccine.</li>
<li><strong>Children ages 6 months through 5 years</strong> should get 1 or more doses of the updated vaccine, depending on their age and which COVID-19 vaccines they have already received.</li>
</ul>
<p>Go to the CDC website to learn more about <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html" target="_blank">COVID-19 vaccine recommendations</a> and <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/vaccine-benefits.html" target="_blank">benefits of getting vaccinated</a>.</p>
<p>If you have any questions, <a href="https://www.tricare-overseas.com/contact-us" target="_blank">contact</a> your TOP Regional Call Center.</p>