How do I know if I’m sick?

Staff who have symptoms of respiratory illness must stay home and not come to work until they are free of fever, and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-alternating medicines (i.e. cough suppressants).  A fever is defined as a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit taken by an oral thermometer. Those with concerns or questions about their illness or seeking advice about whether to come to work see guidelines below.

Will MICA pay employees who contract COVID-19?

Regular full-time employees who have been here for one year who contract COVID-19 should submit a claim for Short Term Disability.  Employees will be paid for claims that are approved under the College’s Short Term Disability plan. Employees will need to follow the normal process of making a claim through AETNA/The Hartford and after approval, MICA will pay 100% of the employee’s salary for up to 12 weeks as per the Short Term Disability policy. There is a 5 day elimination period before payment begins. Paid sick leave must be used for the first five days.  In the case of Short Term Disability, employees will need to provide a return to work notice before they can return to work.

Employees with less than one year of service that purchased the employee paid Short Term Disability supplemental plan are also eligible for the benefits outlined above.

Does the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave apply for employees or immediate family members who may contract COVID-19?

Yes, COVID-19 would qualify as a "serious health condition" under FMLA, allowing an employee to take FMLA leave if either the employee or an immediate family member contracts the disease. The employee would be entitled to job reinstatement as well.  A full-time regular employee with one year of service is required to use paid time off for FMLA leave.

The employee will need to follow the normal process of making a claim through AETNA/The Hartford.

Will MICA need to pay workers' compensation for employees who contract coronavirus?

No. Only if the employees' work requires them to be exposed to persons who are infected, like healthcare workers. MICA is not a healthcare facility so Workers Compensation will not apply.

Does the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) restrict how MICA interacts with employees due to the coronavirus?

Not if it's a pandemic. The ADA protects employees with disabilities, but during a global health emergency, as recently declared by the World Health Organization (WHO), employees can be required to be medically examined to determine if they have contracted the disease when an employer has a reasonable belief that employees will pose a direct threat due to a medical condition. WHO raised its risk assessment of the coronavirus to its highest level on Feb 28.

Does MICA’s insurance cover the testing and treatment of COVID-19?

Yes. CareFirst will cover the testing and treatment of COVID-19 as they do with other viruses like flu.

How should MICA employees access care?

Anyone with symptoms should first call their PCP to discuss their symptoms and treatment options. Employees who have MICA’s health insurance also have two 24/7 options to receive care outside a provider’s office:

• 24-Hour Nurse Advice Line –Members can call 800-535-9700 anytime to speak with a registered nurse to discuss their symptoms and get recommendations for the most appropriate care.

• CareFirst Video Visit – Members can also register for CareFirst Video Visit to securely connect with a doctor, day or night, through their smartphone, tablet or computer – and no appointment is necessary.

Employees who can’t get to a pharmacy to pick up a prescription should call the pharmacy where they filled the prescription and ask if they offer delivery – many do. Employees can also switch to CareFirst’s mail order service by:

Going online - Go to My Account, click on My Coverage, select Drug and Pharmacy Resources, click on Order and Refill Prescriptions and select Order Prescriptions to set up an account.

Calling the toll-free number on the back of your member ID card.

What do I need to return to work after a successful quarantine or treatment period?

In general, staff members on leave who are ready to return to work do not need a written medical clearance to do so.

What else can I do?

Update Your Personal and Emergency Contacts in Workday! Log into Workday and make sure that personal and emergency contact information is up-to-date in Workday.