Washington State Dept. of Health to help expand access to COVID-19 oral antivirals with new and free telehealth program

Actions requested

Be aware of a new and FREE telehealth program to increase access to COVID-19 oral antivirals in Washington state

• Washington Department of Health (WA DOH), in partnership with Birds Eye Medical and Color Health, is launching this program to build upon the Federal government’s Test to Treat initiative and give people another way to quickly access free treatment for COVID-19
• Under this program, anyone in Washington state who tests positive for COVID-19, including with an at-home test, can arrange a free healthcare provider (HCP) consultation using a smartphone or computer with a high-speed internet connection.  If appropriate, they can receive a free prescription for pick-up at the nearest pharmacy that has oral antivirals or have the medication delivered.
• There are two options to set up a telehealth appointment:
  • 1) Visit the WA DOH Free Telehealth for COVID-19 Treatment website (if the information provided in a brief intake form indicates treatment may be appropriate, the individual will be contacted by an HCP for consultation.  HCPs are available daily 8am to 8pm.)
  • 2) Call the WA DOH COVID-19 call center at 1 (800) 525-0127 and press # (the call center can arrange HCP telehealth consultations 8am to 8pm on Monday, and 8am to 6pm on Tuesday-Saturday and holidays)
• If an individual is 12-17 years old, pregnant, nursing, requires additional language assistance (appointments are currently available in 240 languages), or in need of other COVID-19 services, they should arrange their telehealth visit via the WA DOH COVID-19 call center