A Physician's Guide to COVID-19

This quick-start COVID-19 physician guide, curated from comprehensive CDC, JAMA and WHO resources, will help prepare your practice, address patient concerns and answer your most pressing questions.

Updated as of March 6, 2020.

PREPARE YOUR PRACTICE OR HEALTH SYSTEM FOR COVID-19

• Steps health care facilities can take now to prepare: CDC steps to prepare

• Prevent the spread of COVID-19 in your practice or health care facility: Guides from WHO

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM INFECTION

•  How to minimize exposure and implement standard, contact and airborne precautions: Interim infection prevention and control recommendations

• How to manage your supply of personal protective equipment (PPE): CDC supply chain advice

DIAGNOSING PATIENTS WITH SUSPECTED OR CONFIRMED COVID-19

• Who should be tested for COVID-19 and how to get them tested: COVID-19 clinical criteria

• Health care professionals should immediately notify their local or state health department in the event of a PUI for COVID-19: Find your state and local health department contacts

•  How to manage patients diagnosed with COVID-19: Clinical guidance from the CDC

•  Precautions to take for vulnerable patients:

o    The immunocompromised

o    Infants and pregnant women

o    Long-term care residents

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO PATIENTS WITH COVID-19

• How to assess risk, monitor for symptoms and understand work restriction decisions for health care professionals with potential exposure to COVID-19:  Interim U.S. guidance

HOW TO COMMUNICATE WITH PATIENTS

• COVID-19 facts to share with concerned or anxious patients: CDC fact sheets

• Common myths that you should be ready to debunk: The biggest misconceptions

•  Advice to give patients who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19: Top advice from CDC

• Notices to inform travelers and clinicians about current health issues that impact travelers’ health: CDC travel notices

MEDICARE AND MEDICAID COVERAGE INFORMATION

•  Medicare providers: CMS Medicare FAQ

• Coverage and benefits related to COVID-19: CMS Medicaid FAQ

• Information related to COVID-19 individual and small group market insurance coverage: COVID-19 fact sheet