Caring For You
As of April 10, 2023, the COVID-19 National Emergency (NE) ended, and the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) will end as of May 11, 2023. GW Benefits, along with our benefit partners are committed to continuing to provide support to you and your family.
The resources below address what the end of these emergency programs means for you and your benefits, please select a category below to learn more:
Over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 Tests and Virtual Visits
With the end of the PHE, the GW medical plan is returning to standard plan coverage and the plan will no longer cover over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 home tests. Members may use their savings account plans, such as Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) to purchase OTC tests. Please note, coverage of FDA approved or authorized physician or health care provider (e.g., pharmacist, nurse, or doctor) ordered lab COVID-19 tests will follow the member’s standard medical plan benefit.
As previously communicated, the GW PPO and GW HSP will continue to cover medical and behavioral virtual care services provided by UnitedHealthcare Virtual Visit national providers at no cost through Dec. 31, 2024. Virtual Visits are telemedicine appointments provided by Teladoc, Amwell, Optum Virtual Care, Doctor on Demand, and Walmart Virtual Care.
For other general questions about your GW medical plan coverage, please visit our Medical Benefits webpage. You can also contact UnitedHealthCare directly by visiting my.uhc.com or by calling 1-866-801-4409.
Pandemic (PND) & COVID-19 Vaccine Time Changes:
COVID Vaccine and Recovery Time FAQs
During the PHE, GW provided staff members with up to 48 hours of paid time off that could be used to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and/or to recover from vaccine related side effects (COVID Vaccine and Recovery Time). Beginning May 12, 2023, eligible employees will no longer receive new COVID Vaccine and Recovery Time, however, any remaining time will still be available to eligible employees hired and who begin work on or before May 11, 2023. Eligibility requirements for vaccine and recovery time remain the same and are provided below.
Eligible employees can take:
• up to 2 hours of vaccine time per dose (including boosters) and
• up to 8 hours of vaccine recovery time during the 24-hour period following the 2-hour vaccination time period to recover from vaccine side effects.
A maximum of 48 hours of COVID Vaccine and Recovery Time per year can be used.
Vaccine time off can be used to:
• receive a COVID-19 vaccination, including a booster, or
• take your child to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, including a booster.
Vaccine recovery time can be used to:
• recover from side effects from a COVID-19 vaccination or booster, or
• care for your child recovering, from side effects from a COVID-19 vaccination or booster.
FAQs
We highly encourage you to review the FAQs above for more details about this paid time off, including the amount of time off available, eligibility and qualifying situations.
Pandemic Time (PND) was created by the University as a time off option in response to the public health emergency. This time off option was an additional period of time off to help support you as you cared for yourself and your loved ones due to COVID related issues. With the end of the Public Health Emergency, beginning May 12, 2023, eligible employees will no longer accrue new PND balances, however, any remaining balances will still be available to eligible employees hired before May 12, 2023. PND will not be granted to employees hired and who begin employment on or after May 12, 2023.
There are several eligible circumstances that qualify for the use of pandemic time. We encourage you to review the PND FAQs to review eligibility criteria, the definition of “family member” and how to request PND time in the Time Reporting System (TRS).
UnitedHealthcare COVID-19 Website
UHC is regularly updating their COVID-19 website with information about related to COVID-19 testing, resources for people with Medicare, and other healthcare resources.
Behavioral Health
Optum via UHC is also offering a free emotional support help line for all people impacted. This help line will provide those affected access to specially trained mental health specialists. The company’s public toll-free help line number, 866-342-6892, will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for as long as necessary. Callers may also receive referrals to community resources to help them with specific concerns, including financial and legal matters.
Additional UHC Resources:
Well-being Resources
We acknowledge that employees may continue to experience a range of emotions as a result of the pandemic and its aftermath, and appreciate the ways in which our community extends care to one another.
We encourage you to take a moment to review the emotional well-being resources (PDF) that highlights a variety of programs available to support benefits-eligible employees and their eligible dependents during challenging times.
Resources for Living (RFL) is a GW-sponsored EAP program that provides you with daily life support.
Single-sign on from GW-owned computer
- Visit myGW
- Click “Sign In” in the upper left-hand corner beneath the "myGW" logo
- Under Working tab, select Employee Assistance Program - formerly known as the Wellbeing Hotline.
From a Non-GW Computer
- Visit Resources for Living
- Enter username GW-Wellbeing
- Password: Yourlife
You may also call Resources for Living at (866) 522-8509
SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) Helpline: (800) 662-4357
This organization provides information, education and access to substance abuse and mental illness programs nationwide. The Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator is a search tool to locate behavioral health and substance abuse/addiction services. After completing the search criteria you can view a list of treatment providers, their contact information and other pertinent details. You may also call the number above to receive free and confidential information about treatment services in your area.
GW Resources:
Achieving financial well-being can require thoughtful choices. Individuals need to make decisions about how much to spend and how much to save. We encourage you to join us on our journey towards improved financial well-being where you will be equipped with financial tools and resources to reach a more healthy and secure destination.
Fidelity Resources:
Webinars:
Find a live or recorded webinar on Market Volatility on-demand in NetBenefits.
The Fidelity Learning Center has more educational resources that are both timely and relevant.
TIAA Resources
We are Here to Help
If you have any questions about your benefits related to the emergency period ending or need additional assistance, please reach out to us Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. at [email protected] or (571) 553 – 8382.