STAY HEALTHY: Here’s How to Protect Yourself

Flu season got off to an early start in 2022, with the highest weekly rates in the past 10 years. In addition, every week in the U.S. about 37,000 people become COVID-19 positive, 3,500 are hospitalized, and 300 people die from COVID-19 complications.

Here’s how to protect yourself—and others—this season:

  • Take everyday precautions. Practice simple ways to prevent the spread of germs: wash your hands frequently, use sanitizer, cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, avoid touching your face, and stay home if you get sick.
  • Get an annual flu shot. It cuts your chance of getting the flu by 40-60%; but if you do get sick, the flu vaccination reduces the severity and duration of your illness. It’s not too late to get vaccinated now, because the flu peaks in February and can continue into May.
  • Get COVID-19 boosters. These vaccines are effective at protecting people from getting seriously ill, being hospitalized, and dying. The bivalent booster (which became available in September 2022) targets the original strain and the Omicron subvariants that emerged last summer.

Wondering about holiday events? When gathering with people over age 65 or those who have underlying health conditions, stay safe by getting vaccinated, test prior to the event, stay home if you’re not well, use a high-quality mask, and get together outdoors, if possible.

Your Health Trust benefits cover flu vaccinations and COVID-19 boosters at 100% when you get one at an in-network pharmacy or provider.

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THE CHECKLIST: Here’s What to Do if You Get Sick

Even if you take all the precautions to reduce your risk for illness (and get your flu shot and COVID-19 booster) …you may still get sick.

Common symptoms for the flu, COVID-19, and other illnesses may include fever or feeling feverish/having chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle pain or body aches, headache, vomiting, or diarrhea.

If you develop symptoms, here’s what to do:

  • Stay home and stay away from others until your fever is gone for at least 24 hours and symptoms have improved.
  • Take an at-home COVID-19 test. Go to FDA At Home COVID-19 Tests to find approved tests and extended expiration dates for some brands. (The Trust covers the full cost of most over-the-counter, at-home COVID-19 tests through your prescription drug plan for up to 8 tests per covered person every 30 days.)
  • If you have COVID-19, prescription treatments may reduce your chances of being hospitalized. Contact a health care provider right away, even if your symptoms are mild.
  • If you get sick with the flu, prescription antiviral drugs may reduce the severity and duration of the illness. Contact a health care provider as soon as possible to find out if this treatment is right for you.
  • See a doctor. Choose the type of visit that is best for you:
    • Virtual or telehealth visit: Your symptoms are not severe. Prescriptions can be sent to your local pharmacy for you to pick up.
    • In-person doctor visit: You are 65 or older, or any age with underlying health conditions, such as pregnancy, asthma, diabetes, or a compromised immune system.
    • Hospital emergency room: You are having trouble breathing or are experiencing severe shortness of breath or chest pains.

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LIFE HAPPENS: Make Benefit Changes When It Does

Outside of the annual enrollment period in the fall, you may make benefit changes only when you have a qualifying event.

Certain changes in your family, employment status or other health coverage may allow you to make mid-year changes to your Health Plan benefit selections. For example, you may be able to add new dependents, change your Health Plan, or enroll in a Health Plan.

Qualifying events include:

  • Birth, adoption, or legal guardianship
  • Marriage
  • Domestic partnership
  • Divorce or legal separation
  • Death
  • Change in employment status
  • Change in other coverage

It’s critical to meet the deadline. For most events, you must make any changes within 31 calendar days from the date of the event. The only exception is when you gain a child through birth, adoption, or foster care placement…then you have 60 days to make changes.

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