Yes, we are offering in-person appointments as well as virtual appointments. However, some conditions and treatments require an in-person appointment.

We have implemented new procedures to keep you safe during your in-person visit. You can learn more here.

Call Vivacity Care Center today and we’ll help determine if an in-person or virtual visit will best suit your needs.

We’ve made a number of changes in our care center to keep our members and staff safe and healthy. We’re committed to exceeding any guidance regarding health, safety, and infection controls provided by local and federal health authorities.

Here are the specific changes we’ve made to keep you safe:

• Pre-Visit Phone Screening: All patients will be screened for recent illness, travel, fever or recent exposure to COVID-19 via phone prior to their visit. This will allow us to schedule your appointment for the right time of the day.
• Family Members: To reduce exposure, we encourage that you do not bring family members with you to in-person visits.
• Masks: We require all members to wear a mask when they visit the care center. Vivacity Care Center will provide a face covering for any patients who do not have a mask.
• Waiting Room Changes: We’ve implemented enhanced cleaning practices, spaced out waiting room chairs and provided other signage to ensure social distancing. All books, magazines, and brochures have been removed. Plexiglass has been installed at the front desk to keep staff and patients safe.

A virtual appointment allows you to meet with your provider over video from the comfort of your home. If you’ve ever used FaceTime or Zoom, you know what to do. Member cost shares are waived for all virtual appointments through December 31, 2020 for participating groups. Call the number on the back of your medical insurance card to see if a cost share applies.

If you experience any difficulties during your virtual appointment, please either tell us (if you can during your appointment) or call your care center.

Yes. Your provider can write you a prescription for most medicines or request additional testing, such as x-rays and lab tests, by sending it electronically to the pharmacy or lab of your choice.

All insurance plans work differently but most are allowing earlier refills. Please call the number on the back of your medical insurance card to find out if you can refill your prescription early.

If you’ve had an initial visit at Vivacity Care Center, you can make a health coaching appointment any time, which can be held virtually or in-person.

You can only schedule a virtual appointment with a Vivacity Care Center behavioral health specialist if you already had an in-person appointment with a Vivacity Care Center provider. If you haven’t established care with a behavioral health specialist at Vivacity Care Center, contact customer service at the number on the back of your health plan ID card for additional options.

If you’re an existing patient, you can call your care center after-hours to talk to a registered nurse. And if necessary, they will transfer you to an on-call Vivacity Care Center provider.

If you think you were exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms, please call Vivacity Care Center or your primary care provider for testing or an evaluation.

To avoid possible spread, you should not go to a lab for testing without an order from your doctor. Do not go to the emergency room unless you are having a medical emergency.

You can always contact your provider at Vivacity Care Center. After discussing your symptoms, your provider may determine that you do not need to be tested for COVID-19. At this point, your doctor will help advise you on how to treat your symptoms from home, including taking medicine to reduce fever or other cold symptoms.

We know these are difficult times for many, and the worry about medical bills, especially as they relate to COVID-19, is great. To ease some of the burden, Premera Blue Cross and LifeWise Health Plan of Washington will be waiving cost shares including copays, deductibles, and coinsurance for all COVID-19 related testing and treatment.

Cost share waivers for FDA-approved COVID-19 diagnostic testing other virus/respiratory testing tied to a COVID-19 diagnosis are waived through January 21, 2021. Cost shares for Medicare Advantage members are waived for the healthcare provider visit and FDA-authorized COVID-19 diagnostic test for those who meet criteria for testing (CMS guidance) through January 21, 2021.

A COVID-19 antibody test looks for signs of the body’s defensive response (“antibodies”) to a COVID-19 infection. In general, antibodies can be found in the blood of people who are tested after an infection of any kind, and show that they have had an immune response to the infection.

Important note: Immune response refers to the body’s immune system responding to an infection. It does not mean “immunity,” or safety from becoming infected again.

Not at this time, and there are two reasons.

First, an antibody test isn’t useful as a diagnostic tool. The best known, FDA-approved antibody test for COVID-19 will only show results after someone has been infected for about 10 to 14 days. In other words, it takes almost two weeks after a person has been infected to generate enough antibodies for an antibody test to detect them.

Second, it is still unknown whether the antibodies that result from SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) provide immunity from a future COVID-19 infection. CDC scientists are conducting studies to better understand the level of antibodies needed for protection, the duration of that protection, and the factors associated with whether a person develops a protective antibody response.

We will update these FAQs as more information is revealed.

We have a lot more to learn about COVID-19. However, it appears the virus spreads like other respiratory viruses—by people with the infection, primarily through coughing and sneezing. These droplets are inhaled by other people or moved to the eyes, nose, or mouth by contaminated hands.

The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus. Wear a mask when in proximity to other people. Clean your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Stay home if you are feeling ill.

For all that you need to know, including travel advisories: cdc.gov/coronavirus

For specific questions, see the CDC’s FAQ section.

For information about COVID-19 in your state, search your state’s health department, which works with the CDC to monitor and implement all recommendations.

More information can be found at Spokane Regional Health District or Washington State Department of Health.