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Where is the best information?
For the best information on H1N1 (Swine Flu), we are referring our employees, members, and providers to the expert resources provided at the websites of the Centers for Disease Control, the Connecticut Department of Public Health, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Connecticut’s local health departments will provide guidance to communities and schools on suspected and confirmed cases. The CDC has issued guidance on schools and the workplace.
What are the symptoms of swine influenza?
Swine flu symptoms appear to be similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, lethargy, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. (DPH)
Is there a vaccine for swine flu?
At this time, the CDC is preparing a swine vaccine for certain populations to administer this fall. This will be a voluntary vaccination effort. Read the latest CDC vaccination update. The seasonal influenza vaccine does not provide protection against swine flu. (DPH)
What should I do if I have flu-like symptoms?
If you are sick, you may be ill for a week or longer. You should stay home and keep away from others as much as possible, including avoiding travel and not going to work or school, for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. And, as always cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. You do not need to go to the hospital for mild illness, but anyone with severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, should seek health care and treatment immediately. (DPH)
Should I go to work if I am exposed to swine?
The recent guidance from the CDC is that a worker who has been exposed to a person with H1N1 may continue to go to work unless he/she becomes ill. Employees who are well but who have an ill family member at home can also go to work as usual. They should monitor their health and stay home if they become ill. In the fall, we also expect the CDC will not recommend closing public schools if there are infected students.
Should I be tested for swine flu?
The Health Department recommends testing only when people experience severe symptoms or fall sick in clusters. The decision about whether you need to be tested or not should be made by your doctor.
Insurance Coverage
ConnectiCare will cover H1N1 “swine” flu vaccinations this fall at no additional cost to our members. The vaccine itself will be provided free of charge by the federal government. ConnectiCare will reimburse both participating network providers and non-participating providers for H1N1 vaccine administration fees.
Medically necessary treatment for members who contract a flu virus is covered under their membership agreement. Tamiflu and Relenza are currently covered medications subject to medical guidelines, applicable co-payments, coinsurance or deductibles and quantity limits which preclude stock-piling of the drug.
Prevent the Flu
The CDC provides the following suggestions on how to avoid the flu:
1. Avoid close contact. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
2. Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
3. Cover your mouth and nose. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
4. Clean your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
6. Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food.
ConnectiCare is Prepared
In preparation for such situations, ConnectiCare’s management prepared a Pandemic Disaster Plan in March 2006 after Avian flu made headlines. We update this plan as new information and government resources become publicly available.
At this point, we have implemented elements of the plan which include a system for emergency communications, evaluating how to continue business operations under different pandemic scenarios, education of our employees on how to prevent the flu, and purchase of flu prevention supplies.
In case of an escalated pandemic, we will provide members and providers with appropriate direction to help assure quick and appropriate access to healthcare services.
The overall implementation of our plan for any flu pandemic will be informed by the guidelines of the CDC as well as state and local health departments.
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