January 25, 2025

COVID-19 FAQs for You and Your Family

The Allied Team is committed to helping you and your family stay informed and assisting those who might be affected. Below is information about the virus - including guidance from the WHO and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) - tips for staying healthy and accessing care. For more information about the virus, please visit the CDC and/or WHO websites dedicated to this issue.

General Questions

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus which causes respiratory illness, which originated in China.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Current symptoms reported for patients with COVID-19 have included mild to severe respiratory illness with a fever, cough, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. The CDC believes these symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.

How is COVID-19 spread?

The virus is airborne and usually spreads from an infected person to others through the air by coughing and sneezing and through close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands.

It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

Can COVID-19 be prevented? How do I protect myself and my family?

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid exposure. The CDC recommends everyday preventive actions to help reduce the spread, including:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Put distance between yourself and others (at least 6 ft) if COVID-19 is spreading in your community.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces daily.

Coverage & Testing

Who should be tested for COVID-19?

The CDC recommends that anyone with symptoms of COVID-19, returning from a CDC-designated “Level 2” or “Level 3” advisory area, or who has been in contact with someone who is suspected or confirmed of having the coronavirus within the last 14 days, should be tested.

Although the CDC has guidance for who should be tested, the decisions about testing are at the discretion of state and local health departments and/or individual clinicians.

To help you make decisions about seeking appropriate medical care, the CDC has created a Coronavirus Self-Checker tool. To access this tool, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/testing.html.

How can I access COVID-19 testing?

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, and/or suspect you may have been exposed to COVID-19, you should contact your health care provider to determine the need for a test. The tests will likely be nasal or pharyngeal swabs that are then sent to a laboratory.

For help locating an in-network provider, please contact Allied Customer Service by dialing the number on your ID card, or log into your Allied Member Portal account via AlliedBenefit.com.

If you or someone is experiencing emergency symptoms, please go to your nearest Urgent Care Center or Hospital Emergency Room.

Does my plan cover COVID-19 testing and treatment?

On March 18, 2020, the Federal Government put into law the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, effective immediately. This law requires all group health plans waive COVID-19 testing costs, including copays, deductibles and coinsurance costs, without prior authorization for the following:

FDA-authorized COVID-19 tests
Health care provider visits, urgent care visits, and emergency room visits that result in an order for or administration of the test

This coverage mandate does NOT require health plans to cover COVID-19 treatment at no charge. Any subsequent treatment for the virus, once diagnosed, will be subject to the terms and conditions of the plan. For specific benefit questions, please contact Allied Customer Service by dialing the number on your ID card.

Additional Resources

For questions and information regarding your health benefit plan, billing, or help finding a provider:

Contact Allied Customer Service by dialing the number on your ID card; OR
Log in to your Allied Member Portal account at AlliedBenefit.com/Members