Peninsula 360 Press [P360P].
The numbers of COVID-19 positive cases are increasing in the state of California, and therefore in the United States. San Mateo County. But. . , what can i do if i have symptoms of the virus and i don't have health insurance?
According to the San Mateo County Health Department, if uninsured, a potential carrier of the virus can contact the Health Coverage Unit (HCU) at 650-616-2020 or info-hcu@smcgov.org for screening assistance.
Also, through these contacts, assistance can be provided for enrollment in public health insurance programs such as Medi-Cal, Covered California, and ACE.
To use the HCU hotline, leave a message with the name of the potential carrier as well as their contact information, then a community health advocate will return the call within 24 hours.
The application can also be made online through the page www.coveredca.comthe department noted.
She also noted that if you need to speak to a nurse urgently, you can dial Health Plan of San Mateo at 1-833-846-877324 hours a day, seven days a week, regardless of health insurance.
That way, a nurse will ask about your symptoms and let you know if emergency care is needed.
For those Medi-Cal patients who do not have a health plan, they can call Medi-Nurse at 1-877-409-9052which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer any concerns related to COVID-19 and medical issues in general.
On the other hand, if you have general health concerns, you can call the New Patient Contact Center, regardless of health insurance status, at 650-372-3200from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or through the page www.smchealth.org/smmc-new-patients.
It should be noted that it is important to maintain general guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus, such as washing hands frequently for at least 20 seconds, or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer after being in a public place, blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
You should keep at least 6 feet (2 meters) between you and other people. Wear a face shield or cloth face shield when you go out in public spaces.
When in private places without a mask, always cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.
For more information, you can visit the site smchealth.org/coronavirus.
