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The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has launched a COVID-19 Uninsured Group portal to process applications for the COVID-19 Uninsured Group program. The COVID-19 Uninsured Group program replaces the Presumptive Eligibility (PE) for COVID-19 Program and provides temporary, no-cost diagnostic testing and testing-related services.
It also provides treatment services — including all medically necessary care, which includes associated office, clinic, and emergency room visits related to COVID-19. The program is available to uninsured individuals determined eligible by a qualified provider, based on preliminary applicant information.
With the new program and portal, qualified providers should note two changes:
- Need information on citizenship/immigration status: An individual’s status will be requested and verified when they apply for the new COVID-19 Uninsured Group. However, an individual’s status will have no bearing on their ability to receive care or on a provider to receive reimbursement for COVID-19 testing and treatment services.
- Periods of PE: Previously, an individual’s eligibility period ended on the last day of the following month in which they applied, which could be up to 60 days, and DHCS allowed two periods of PE, instead of one, in a 12-month period. With this new program, an individual’s eligibility period ends on the last day of the 12th month from the date of their PE application or the end of the public health emergency, whichever occurs sooner.
