Penn State Health updates employee COVID-19 isolation, return-to-work policy

Penn State Health has made several revisions to the employee COVID-19 isolation and return-to-work policy. This policy only applies to Penn State Health. Whenever Penn State College of Medicine has new or revised policies, they will now be shared in the COMmunicator.

The updated Penn State Health policy includes:

• Removal of vaccination status as an indicator for return-to-work time frames for both infection and exposure
• New definitions for high-risk exposure
• Testing options

Onsite COVID-19 testing at the Academic Support Building on the Hershey Medical Center campus and test coordination through Employee Health will end on Friday, Dec. 9. Employees must coordinate their own access to testing (i.e., at-home antigen testing, primary care provider, urgent care, etc.). Employees may use Penn State Health OnDemand free virtual COVID-19 screening consults to assist with next steps regarding testing and additional medical care.

Tips for obtaining at-home COVID-19 tests:

• For those with private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid:
  • The insurer is required to cover eight at-home tests for each person enrolled in the insured person’s health plan every month.
  • Some insurance plans will cover the tests at participating pharmacies, such as Walgreens and CVS.
  • Other plans will reimburse insured members if they submit receipts through the mail or online.
  • Employees should check with their insurance provider to find out how it covers tests.
• For those without insurance:
  • At-home tests are available for free from some community health centers or Medicare-certified health clinics, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
  • The Health Resources and Services Administration website provides a list of conveniently located centers. Call about the availability of low or no-cost at-home tests before visiting.

Employees must report positive COVID-19 test results to both their manager and Employee Health. Managers should consult their Employee Health office with any questions regarding return-to-work protocols.

All staff are reminded to consult masking protocols for COVID-19 and flu and continue diligent symptom monitoring prior to reporting to and while in the workplace.

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