Links & Resources

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D.C. Residents
D.C. residents without insurance can get coverage during the coronavirus pandemic through DC Health Link whose special enrollment period runs through September 15, 2020. For more information or to enroll, visit the DC Health Link.

Maryland Residents (on-exchange)
For those in our Maryland communities who are uninsured, CareFirst has worked with the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange to allow a special enrollment period for individuals to sign up for health insurance coverage. The special enrollment period started March 16 and runs through July 15. Visit the Maryland Health Connection to enroll.

Maryland and Northern Virginia Residents (off-exchange)
CareFirst has also opened a special enrollment period through July 15, 2020, for Maryland and Northern Virginia residents. You can enroll today on CCI - CareFirst’s online shopping portal for individuals and families.

The coronavirus has put a great deal of stress on everyone. People with mental health issues feel this stress more than the rest of us. Not being able to see other people or stick to familiar routines only makes things worse. But there are some easy steps we can take to ease the pressure.

Get plenty of sleep, eat well and exercise regularly. These three things can improve our thinking and our emotions. But no matter what you do, having a plan for dealing with the extra stress of coronavirus is very important.

Here are a few resources to help get you started:

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – this site includes a Coronavirus Information and Resources Guide, as well as tips for people with mental illness.
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – this site provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, as well as prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – this site provides a disaster distress line to help people deal with the emotional effects of major disasters.
• A list of providers in the CareFirst region (Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia) who specialize in behavioral health support that you may contact directly. Note: there are tabs at the bottom of the spreadsheet for locations.
• Log in to the Sharecare app for guided meditation and other stress management tools.

Getting Tested for COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, stay home and contact your doctor for guidance. Testing for COVID-19 may not be appropriate for everyone, and only your healthcare provider (doctor) can order the testing.

Testing availability will expand as more testing supplies become available. For more information about COVID-19 testing, visit the Maryland Department of Health’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Frequently Asked Questions About Testing.

In times of crisis and uncertainty, it’s not uncommon for rumors to catch on, which can make a difficult situation even more stressful. The first step to stopping rumors is to fact check them before tapping that tempting “share” button. We’ve assembled some resources below to help you vet existing Coronavirus rumors.

• Maryland Coronavirus (COVID-19) Rumor Control
• CDC—Stop the Spread of Rumors
• FEMA Coronavirus Rumor Control

Listen to Your Local Government

Members in Maryland, Washington D.C., Northern Virginia and West Virginia can check their government’s website for updates more specific to their community.

Resources for School Children

Mandatory school closings can challenge working parents and guardians. Additionally, many school children depend on school for meals.

For MD, DC and VA education and school-provided meal information, visit this page.

What is Social Distancing and How Can it Help?

According to Johns Hopkins University, social distancing is a public health practice that aims to prevent sick people from coming in close contact with healthy people in order to reduce opportunities for disease transmission.

• What is social distancing?
• JHU's coronavirus hub
• JHU's map of COVID-19 Global Cases

Want to Help Spread the Word?

Here are some resources you can share with friends and family. The more you know, the better you’ll be able to protect yourself and the people you love.

Proper handwashing can keep you safe and covering your cough can keep others safe. Learn more here:

• Wash Your Hands Poster
• Cover Your Cough Poster (English)
• Cover Your Cough Poster (Spanish)
• Stop the Spread of Disease Poster (English)
• Stop the Spread of Disease Poster (Spanish)
• Stop the Spread of Disease Poster (Chinese)

Healthcare Terms and Definitions

There are a lot of medical and health insurance definitions flying around these days. If you’d like to double check the meaning of a term, check our online glossary.

Follow the Centers for Disease Control

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the leading national public health institute of the United States. They are the number one resource for any and all coronavirus-related news. Visit their website and social media pages frequently to stay informed.