COVID-19 Provider Resources

How we’re supporting you and your patients during the ongoing health pandemic

Health Confianza, a collaboration between UT Health San Antonio, UT San Antonio, and the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, is providing COVID-19 Health Literacy sessions to share up-to-date information to local providers.

View Sessions

Thank you to our doctors, nurses, clinicians, and health care workers:

Your tireless dedication to your patients and communities during this time is inspiring. As we continue to move through these uncertain times, we’re committed to providing you with the answers and information you need to keep your practice running.

COVID-19 Vaccine: Provider Information

Information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine and its distribution is rapidly evolving. As a Community First Provider, we understand that our Members look to you for information and guidance.

Community First would like to share the following information and resources with our Providers so that you can best serve your patients

Providers should check the DSHS Information For COVID-19 Vaccine Providers as information is subject to change.

Enroll to be a COVID-19 vaccinator

Providers must register through the Texas DSHS Immunization Program Portal to administer and receive COVID-19 vaccines in Texas.

For questions about registering to be a COVID-19 vaccinator, call the DSHS COVID-19 Vaccine Provider hotline at (877) 835-7750, Monday-Friday, 8 am–5 pm or email COVID19VacEnroll@dshs.texas.gov.

Resource: Tips and Tricks for Enrolling in the COVID-19 Vaccine Program

Vaccine Eligibility

(Updated September 8, 2022) CDC recommends everyone stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccination, including all primary series doses and boosters for their age group:

    • People ages 6 months through 4 years should get all COVID-19 primary series doses.
    • People ages 5 years and older should get all primary series doses, and the booster dose recommended for them by CDC, if eligible.
      • People ages 5 years to 11 years are currently recommended to get the original (monovalent) booster.
      • People ages 12 years and older are recommended to receive one updated Pfizer or Moderna (bivalent) booster.
        • This includes people who have received all primary series doses and people who have previously received one or more original (monovalent) boosters.
        • At this time, people aged 12 years to 17 years can only receive the updated Pfizer bivalent booster.

Interim Clinical Considerations

Summary of recent changes (last updated September 2, 2022):
  • New booster recommendation for people ages 12 years and older to receive 1 bivalent mRNA booster after completion of a monovalent primary series; it replaces all prior booster recommendations for this age group
    • Recommendations for use of a bivalent Moderna booster dose in people ages 18 years and older
    • Recommendations for use of a bivalent Pfizer-BioNTech booster dose in people ages 12 years and older
  • Updated guidance for observation periods following COVID-19 vaccination
  • Updated guidance on COVID-19 vaccination and multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS) in children (MIS-C) and in adults (MIS-A)

Use of COVID-19 Vaccines in the United States | Interim Clinical Considerations

COVID-19 Testing

Health insurance companies are now required to reimburse Americans for eight at-home antigen tests per person a month. If an individual has been directed to undergo COVID-19 testing by their medical provider because of underlying health conditions or other factors, there is no limit on the number of tests covered.

Community First Members should purchase tests at a network pharmacy counter to ensure that it is processed through their insurance plan properly to avoid out-of-pocket costs.

If a Member purchases an at-home test from a store or online and is charged for their test, please instruct them to submit a claim to be reimbursed.

Medicare Reimbursement Claim Form

Medicaid/CHIP/UCCP/UFCP Reimbursement Claim Form

 

Vaccine Safety

Providers can play an important role in helping the CDC and federal partners monitor the safety of COVID-19 vaccines.

New safety systems have been added for COVID-19 vaccines, including the following new CDC initiatives:

Vaccine Coverage and Reimbursement

Similar to other COVID-19 services, the vaccines will be offered at no cost to patients.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) have published billing guidance for Medicaid (STAR and STAR Kids), Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Medicare providers.

Visit Community First HHSC News for other important HHSC updates regarding the vaccine.

PROVIDER RESOURCES

Become a COVID-19 Vaccinator

General Information

Storage and Handling

Storage & Handling Toolkit

By the Numbers


Community First Member Resources


HHS/CMS COVID-19 Updates

FDA Vaccine Fact Sheets

    Vaccine for Children


    Pregnancy/Breastfeeding


    Monoclonal Antibody Treatment

    Other

    Access COVID-19 billing and coding resources you need to help treat Community First Members.

    Billing and Coding

    Latest Provider Updates

    Get the latest COVID-19 Provider updates.

    Can’t find what you need?

    Please call the Provider Hotline at 210-358-6030 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday – Friday.  

    If you are a Provider and need to reach Community First after hours or on weekends, please call (210) 227-2347.

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