COVID-19 Testing Information & Resources
Even during uncertain times, our top priority is the health and safety of our members, employees, communities, and those we work with and serve. Below are resources and information to help your company and worforce stay informed and safe. Click on the links below to view corresponding resources.
COVID-19
What is Influenza?
Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness. Serious outcomes of flu infection can result in hospitalization or death. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at elevated risk of serious flu complications.
Promoting Flu Vaccination in the Workplace
Take action to keep your workplace healthy this flu season. The best way to prevent flu is by getting vaccinated each year. Consider offering on-site flu vaccinations at your worksite(s). You can also encourage employees to seek flu vaccination with their local UnitedAg Health & Wellness Center, primary care provider or local pharmacy.
Flu shots are now available at the Salinas and Santa Maria Health & Wellness Centers. Book your appointment here and learn about the flu shot being administered.
On-Site Flu Shot Events
The best time to prepare ourselves for the fight against the flu is right now. Members can schedule their onsite flu shot event with the UnitedAg wellness team and learn about the flu shot administered by our wellness team.
Who qualifies for onsite flu shot events?
- Any member company located within a 25-mile radius of a UnitedAg Health & Wellness Center
- Minimum of 30 participants
When can I schedule my company's onsite flu shot event?
Any time between September 27 through mid-November.
Are you interested in hosting an onsite flu shot event?
If so, please complete the survey below, and a UnitedAg team member will contact you to coordinate your event! For more details, contact Donna Bares.
What is COVID-19?
A novel coronavirus is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified. The virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is not the same as the coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness, like the common cold.
Viruses constantly change through mutation, and new variants of a virus are expected to occur. Multiple variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 have been documented during this pandemic.
Symptoms of COVID-19
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.
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COVID-19 Resources
Note: COVID-19 testing is available by appointment only at all UnitedAg Health & Wellness locations.
COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards Frequently Asked Questions
The COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards are still in effect. The workplace standards were updated on June 17, 2021 to include requirements for vaccinated and unvaccinated workers. In addition to these requirements, employers must follow public health orders on COVID-19. Local public health orders may require the use of face coverings by all individuals indoors regardless of vaccination status.
Health & Wellness Centers
All of our Health & Wellness Centers provide COVID-19 diagnostic testing which includes PCR and Antigen testing. Guidelines apply for testing. For questions regarding coverage, please contact Member Services at 800.223.4590.
Our Visalia Wellness Center is available 7 days a week to provide testing results for all regional wellness centers. Call 559.967.0147.
Testing Appointments
Call 877.877.7981 or book your appointment online for testing.
Vaccinations Appointments
Check for available appointments and schedule your vaccination appointment.
Booster Shots
Moderna COVID-19 booster shots are now available at UnitedAg Health & Wellness Centers. Booster shots for individuals with compromised health conditions are available on a first-come, first-served basis by appointment only. Eligible members must provide a letter of recommendation from their PCP to receive the booster shot. Booster shots may be available for all other individuals pending FDA approval.
Employer-Sponsored Testing
UnitedAg's Health & Wellness Centers offer employer-sponsored testing as an employment screening service. Check out our flyer to learn more about these services and pricing. If you're interested in incorporating these services in your workplace health program, contact our Client Services team at 800.223.4590.
CVS Pharmacy
With more than 4,800 testing locations, CVS offers PCR and Rapid tests. Tests are available to eligible individuals aged 3 years and older in select locations. To schedule a test at your local CVS Pharmacy, click here.
Teladoc
Teladoc doctors can answer questions about the disease, evaluate your risk, and provide support by phone or video and help relieve symptoms for affected patients. Call 800.835.2362 or book your appointment online.
SAIN Medical
SAIN Medical is UnitedAg's medical provider network with locations along the Mexico border. They provide primary care services, teleconsults, COVID-19 testing and vaccinations. Schedule your appointment online or call 011.52.653.536.7800. Read about SAIN's 2021 COVID-19 Protocols.
COVID-19 Testing
Most diagnostic tests for individuals are covered at no out-of-pocket cost to you. This means you do not need to pay out-of-pocket costs (copay, coinsurance, or deductible) for tests that are provided or ordered by a healthcare provider:
- Whether or not you have symptoms of COVID-19.
- Whether or not you think you were exposed to someone who has COVID-19.
Out-of-pocket testing costs for COVID-19 individual diagnostic tests will be waived during the federal public health emergency. This will continue as long as state and federal mandates for the coverage of testing without out-of-pocket costs apply.
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Which types of COVID-19 diagnostic tests are covered?
To be covered by your health plan, diagnostic tests must always be ordered, authorized, or provided by a physician or healthcare provider. These diagnostic tests include:
- Standard PCR tests sent to a lab
- Rapid, point of care antigen tests (where results are available within a few minutes)
- Home self-test kits when ordered by your physician or a licensed healthcare provider
When are COVID-19 tests NOT covered?
COVID-19 tests are not covered by your health plan when the test is not ordered, authorized or provided by a physician or healthcare provider. COVID-19 tests are not covered by your health plan in these cases:
- Home self-test kits with no prior authorization or order from the physician or healthcare provider. For example, if you pick up a home self-test kit online or from Costco, a grocery store, or a pharmacy and this test kit was not previously ordered by your physician or healthcare provider.
- When the test is an antibody test, with some exceptions. In most cases, antibody tests are not suitable for diagnosing COVID-19. These types of tests will not tell you if you have an active infection or are still contagious.
- Screening as a requirement for entry into the U.S. from international travel.
- Screening for employment purposes or return to work mandated by an employer.
- Screening for return to school or sports for students or staff.
- Screening for public health surveillance to monitor community or population outbreaks (usually ordered by the local government/state public health department).
For more information, contact Member Services at 800.223.4590.
COVID-19 Vaccine Information
Note: COVID-19 vaccinations are available by appointment only at all UnitedAg Health & Wellness locations.
FDA Approves Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine
On August 23, 2021, the FDA approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, and will now be marketed as Comirnaty, for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older. The vaccine also continues to be available under emergency use authorization (EUA), including for individuals 12 through 15 years of age and for the administration of a third dose in certain immunocompromised individuals.
Is the Vaccine Safe?
COVID-19 vaccines authorized by the FDA have been shown to be safe and effective in clinical trials. Our Health & Wellness Centers are administering the Moderna vaccine to members based on available supplies.
Cost-sharing
United Agricultural Benefit Trust (“UABT”) wants to assure you that we continue to support the health, safety, and well-being of our members during this COVID-19 pandemic. As an ERISA welfare benefit plan, UABT must comply with federal law. UABT members are not financially responsible for any co-payment, percentage payable or deductible for administration fees associated with receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.
Vaccine Distribution from our Health & Wellness Centers
We are now conducting vaccination events in Santa Barbara, Tulare, Monterey, and Stanislaus counties. Members will be notified Members will be notified as appointments are available in their county.
Subscribe for COVID-19/Vaccine Updates
Vaccine Distribution from Retail Pharmacies
Many retail pharmacies are offering vaccines in California and Arizona. For California, check MyTurn.CA.gov to find a pharmacy near you to schedule your vaccination. For Arizona, visit the Arizona Vaccination Program Portal to schedule your vaccination.
COVID-19 Booster Shots
COVID-19 Vaccine booster shots are available for the following Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine recipients who completed their initial series at least 6 months ago and are:
- 65 years and older
- Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings
- Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
- Age 18+ who work in high-risk settings
- Age 18+ who live in high-risk settings
You can receive the booster shot from your healthcare provider if you are eligible under these criteria. The booster shot is not currently available at UnitedAg Health & Wellness Centers. We will notify you once they are available.
COVID-19 Vaccine Availability
Our Health & Wellness Centers are administering first and second doses of Moderna vaccines to members based on available supplies. Vaccinations are available on a first-come, first-served basis by appointment only.
The second dose of the Moderna vaccine should be administered as close to the recommended interval as possible, but not earlier than 1 month. Important: Your second dose should be from the same manufacturer as your first.
Booster shots are currently not available at the Health & Wellness Centers.
Who Qualifies:
Individuals age 18 and older are eligible for the Moderna vaccine.
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Moderna (first & second doses)
When: October 15
Where: King City Health & Wellness Center
122 Broadway St., King City, CA 93930Phone: 831.525.8144
What you’ll need to bring:
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Moderna (first & second doses)
When: October 15
Where: Salinas Health & Wellness Center
333-A Abbott Street, Salinas, CA 93901Phone: 831.206.1201
What you’ll need to bring:
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Moderna (first & second doses)
When: October 15
Where: Santa Maria Health & Wellness Center
2605 S. Miller Street #100, Santa Maria, CA 93455Phone: 805.888.7019
What you’ll need to bring:
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Moderna (first & second doses)
When: October 15
Where: Turlock Health & Wellness Center
415 E. Olive Ave. #1, Turlock, CA 95380Phone: 209.633.7402
What you’ll need to bring:
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Moderna (first & second doses)
When: October 15
Where: Visalia Health & Wellness Center
315 S. Johnson St., Visalia, CA 93291Phone: 559.967.0147
What you’ll need to bring:
What to Expect After Receiving the Vaccine
After receiving the vaccine, you may experience some side effects that are normal signs that your body is building protection. These side effects may affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days.
Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People
The CDC provides interim guidance for people that are fully vaccinated for COVID-19; more than 2 weeks after they have received the second dose in a 2-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) or more than 2 weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine (J&J/Janssen).
Updated Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings
Despite ongoing outreach and improving COVID-19 vaccine access, as of July 27, 2021, a significant proportion of Californians throughout the state are not yet fully vaccinated. The Delta variant is two times as contagious than early COVID-19 variants, leading to increasing infections.
To achieve universal masking in indoor public settings, the CDPH is recommending that fully vaccinated people also mask in indoor public settings across California. This adds an extra precautionary measure for all to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, especially in communities currently seeing the highest transmission rates. Local health jurisdictions may be more restrictive than this guidance.
For more information, visit the CDC website.
Fight Against COVID Awareness Campaign
Join the fight against COVID-19 and help us grow a healthy community, together. Our goal is to educate and promote confidence among the agricultural workforce in their decision to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Those in the agricultural workforce are at higher risk for severe complications from COVID-19 due to the increased prevalence of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other underlying conditions.
For resources on how to spread awareness among your workforce, check out our campaign pages below in English and Spanish.
UnitedAg COVID-19 Health Benefits
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have several health benefit provisions for UABT participants. If you have any questions regarding your health benefits, contact our Member Services team at 800.223.4590 or email memberservices@unitedag.org.