| Topic | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Vaccine | Where can I learn about COVID-19 vaccine? | |
| Vaccine | What should people living with HIV know about the COVID-19 vaccine? | See this ?FAQ for people living with HIV in Oregon for information. ? |
| Undocumented residents | I am an undocumented Oregon resident. Can I be tested for COVID-19 or seek medical treatment for COVID-19 and get coverage through the emergency-only coverage (CAWEM)? | You can still see a doctor if you don’t have medical insurance. This includes care in the emergency room, at community and migrant health centers, free clinics, and public hospitals.
The receipt of emergency Medicaid, such as CAWEM, cannot be counted under U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service’s (USCIS) public charge rule. Additionally, on March 13, 2020 USCIS issued an alert on its website stating? that the agency will not consider testing, treatment, or preventive care (including vaccines, if a vaccine becomes available) related to COVID-19 as part of a public charge determination. You should seek the medical treatment or preventive services you need to protect your health and the health of others. This includes if your care is paid for in whole or in part by Medicaid, also known as the Oregon Health Plan. If you do not have Oregon Health Plan (OHP) coverage or Citizen/Alien Waived Emergency Medical (CAWEM), you can apply for it here?. If you don’t want to sign up for OHP because of the public charge rule, you can see a clinician through your county health clinic or through a federally qualified health clinic (FQHC). If you have any important medical, mental health or medication needs be sure to mention this when you call. Disclaimer: This is not legal advice. If you are concerned about whether and how receipt of public benefits might affect your immigration status, ask for help from an immigration attorney. |
| Traveler health | What is OHA’s guidance on traveling? | OHA recommends people stay home or in their region and avoid non-essential travel to other states or countries. People arriving in Oregon from other states or countries for non-essential travel,
including returning Oregon residents, should (but are not required to) practice self-quarantine for 14 days after arrival and limit interactions to people in their household. These recommendations do not apply to individuals who cross state or country borders for
essential travel. (Essential travel means travel for work and study, critical
infrastructure support, economic services and supply chains, health, immediate medical care,
and safety and security.) For details: See OHA Guidance (Recommendations) for Travel |
| Testing | Do I need the state's approval to get a test? What about for testing through the state public health lab? | Approval from public health is only needed
for testing requested at the Oregon State Public Health Laboratory
(OSPHL). Clinicians may order commercial tests in their office based on
their clinical judgment; they do not need to contact or seek approval
for testing from a public health agency. The clinician will get the
results to give to the patient. Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and local
public health agencies will also get those results to help in
investigations about COVID-19.
?Testing at the OSPHL requires
that patients meet certain criteria. Clinicians must notify OHA that the
patient meets criteria and that they intend to send the specimen to
OSPHL by completing an online form.
|
| Testing | What is a commercial laboratory test? | A
commercial laboratory test is done by a commercial lab such as LabCorp
and Quest. There are national labs that support a lot of health systems,
outpatient clinics and doctors' offices. You can find a testing
location near you at healthoregon.org/covid19testing. |
| Testing | What if I feel like I’ve been exposed but don’t need to see a healthcare provider or get tested? | If
you think you have been exposed to COVID-19, and you develop fever,
cough or trouble breathing, stay away from other people, so you don't
get them sic?k. Call your health care provider or a clinic right away.
They can help you determine whether you need medical evaluation,
including testing. |
| Testing | How long does it take to get test results? | How long you have to wait for results depends on several factors, including:
Ask
your health care provider for more information. To help slow the
spread, you may be asked to isolate or quarantine until your results
come back.? |
| Testing | What is the difference between the roles of the Oregon State Public Health Laboratory (OSPHL) and commercial laboratories? | In
a public health emergency, the role of OSPHL is to begin laboratory
testing for emerging new infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and to
perform laboratory testing for prioritized populations. OSPHL currently
supports testing for vulnerable populations. As testing capacity through
clinical and commercial laboratories increases, OSPHL may begin to
support public health by conducting testing for surveillance purposes
rather than direct patient care. Clinical and commercial laboratories now offer expanded capacity for clinicians to order COVID-19 testing at their discretion. Local health systems are offering testing in their clinical laboratories, which accounts for the bulk of Oregon's testing capacity. Public health approval is not required for testing a clinical or commercial labs. Clinic administrators may need to contact commercial labs to set up testing protocols for their clinics. You can find a testing site at healthoregon.org/covid19testing.? |
| Testing | I have health insurance? How much does the test cost? | ?Most health insurers in Oregon have agreed to waive co-pays, co-insurance and deductibles for:
Regular terms of insurance such as co-payments, co-insurance and deductibles will still apply for other parts of a visit to a healthcare provider. For more information, contact your health insurer and visit the Department of Consumer and Business Services website?. |