FAQ: Answers to your commonly asked questions

To receive an answer to your question in 1 business day Children’s Community Health Plan BadgerCare Plus Medicaid members can visit https://childrenscommunityhealthplan.org/Members/Medicaid/Contact-Medicaid or if you would rather contact us by phone please contact us anytime Monday-Friday  8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST at 800-482-8010 (Wisconsin Relay 7-1-1)

Together with CCHP members can call Customer Service for more information about their coverage, what services are covered, how to find a primary care provider and where to go for immediate care. Contact us today!

• Contact Customer Service to find a primary care provider and learn more information about selecting a primary care provider:
  • If you are a CCHP BadgerCare Plus member and have questions, our customer service team is here to help.
  • If you are a Together with CCHP member and have questions, our customer service team is here to help.

If you do not have a primary care provider but would like to talk to a medical professional CCHP offers its members a no-cost, on-call nurse triage line called CCHP on Call. You can speak directly to knowledgeable registered nurses who are available 24/7. Call 1-877-257-5861 if you are feeling any of these symptoms or have any other health-related concerns.

If you are feeling any COVID-19 symptoms or have any other health-related concerns you can speak directly to knowledgeable registered nurses who are available 24/7 with CCHP’s no-cost, on-call nurse triage line called CCHP on Call. Call 1-877-257-5861 to speak to a registered nurse today.

Many providers are allowing vide or telehealth visits.  Members should contact their provider to understand their options.  For help finding a provider, members can visit the Find a Doc tab or contact Customer Service.   

Coronavirus is not new—there are many types of coronaviruses that commonly cause mild illnesses in humans. However, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new version that we haven’t seen before, and it’s highly contagious and spreading rapidly throughout the world. COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Others can get sick when they inhale those droplets or touch their mouth, nose or eyes after touching a surface where those droplets have landed.

You can learn more about COVID-19 on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

The most common symptoms are fever, cough and shortness of breath. People develop symptoms 2 to 14 days after exposure to COVID-19. Most people will get better within a few weeks, but those with a severe case of the disease may take a month or more to recover.

Thankfully, according to the CDC, children seem to have milder forms of the illness. COVID-19 symptoms in kids range from infection without symptoms to mild upper respiratory symptoms with runny nose and cough, and rarely pneumonia requiring hospitalization.
In general, babies can be at a higher risk for respiratory infections. According to the very limited data available about COVID-19, current literature suggests this illness has been mild for babies.

Adults with certain underlying health conditions may be at risk for more serious complications from COVID-19.  Adults should contact their primary care provider if they have any symptoms of COVID-19, especially if they have an underlying condition.

• Examples of conditions include:
  • Lung Disease             
  • Heart disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Cancer
  • Diabetes
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Immunodeficiency conditions
  • Other underlying medical conditions

Children with certain underlying health conditions may be at higher risk to contract COVID-19. Contact your child’s pediatrician if you have any concerns.

• Chronic lung disease
• Heart disease
• Neurologic conditions (including muscle disorders)
• Immunodeficiency conditions
• Organ transplant
• Cancer treatment
• Treatment with medications that lower the immune system
• Examples of conditions include:

This is an emerging and rapidly evolving situation. The CDC will provide updated information and guidance as it becomes available.

Adults over the age of 60 and those with underlying medical conditions have shown more serious symptoms.

CCHP encourages families to follow social distancing guidelines, wash hands regularly and avoid contact between children and elderly adults, including relatives. Anyone over 2 years of age should wear a mask when they leave their home.

Families should still limit when they leave the house. When not in their home, people should practice social distancing of at least six feet and wearing face masks, including for kids 2 years and older.

• Practice good hand hygiene.
  • Wash hands often and thoroughly with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol when soap and water are not available.
  • Remind children to do this after going to the bathroom, before eating and after blowing their nose, coughing or sneezing.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Cover your cough and sneezes.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are ill.
  • Get the flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces.

According to the CDC, it is believed that the virus likely spreads through droplets produced when a person coughs or sneezes. Current data indicates that some people infected with COVID-19 can transmit the virus before having symptoms.

At this time, very little is known about COVID-19 and its effect on pregnant women and infants.

Contact your primary care provider and they will be able to appropriately assess your/your child’s medical needs. If you do not know who your primary care provider is please contact customer service (linked to page), or call CCHP’s no-cost, on-call nurse triage line called CCHP on Call. You can speak directly to knowledgeable registered nurses who are available 24/7.

Currently, no treatment or vaccines are available for COVID-19. That means that if you or your child tests positive for the coronavirus, you should focus on alleviating the symptoms with over-the-counter medications and staying at home to decrease exposure to others.

Researchers are currently conducting clinical trials to learn more about how to treat COVID-19. Several research groups are also actively working on the development of a vaccine to prevent COVID-19, but this is many months away. 

Call your/ your child’s doctor. They will complete a screening process to determine if a test will be done.

To find more information, please visit: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/community-testing.htm

Children’s Wisconsin is accepting donations of new and unused personal protective equipment (PPE), including homemade masks. Visit our PPE donation page to learn more, including how to make homemade masks.

Yes, it is safe to donate blood and plasma if you are not experiencing any symptoms and meet all other eligibility criteria. Learn more about donating blood at the Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin.

In addition to visiting our community resources page, Milwaukee County is committed to keeping you safe and informed. Read the Coronavirus Community Resources Guide to learn about resources that may be available to you.

Families should limit the amount they travel and leave the house. Limiting contact will continue to slow the spread of the virus in the community.

It is advisable that families have a 2 to 4 week supply of essential medicines, prescriptions and food on hand. Please call your primary care doctor if you have more questions about medication for your child or family. 

On April 3, the CDC updated its mask recommendation for the public. The CDC now recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. The CDC also adds that the cloth face coverings should not be surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for health care workers and other medical first responders.

Wisconsin public and private schools remain closed. For additional information, please refer to the CDC's existing guidelines for schools and childcare centers. Parents can help by encouraging kids to practice good hand hygiene and keeping them home when they’re sick.

Chances are, your child has heard about COVID-19 — whether it’s at school or by overhearing news coverage or grown-up conversations. Fortunately, most parents have all the skills necessary to help kids deal with questions and calm their fears. The CDC has tips for talking to children that may help.

• View a list of resources available in the community that can help families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• During stressful times, it’s more important than ever to reach out for support. Below are resources that can help you and your family if you are in need of support.
  • If you need immediate assistance, contact IMPACT 2-1-1, and someone will be available 24/7 to help you.
    You can reach them in three ways:
    • Call 211 from your cell phone
    • Text your zip code to 898-211
    • Call 1-866-211-3380

As the state begins to reopen, there are many questions about when and how to resume participation in youth athletics. To help families make those decisions, the Sports Medicine programs at Children’s Wisconsin and American Family Children’s Hospital/UW Health, in accordance with the DHS and CDC, have developed a general guide and extended guidelines for youth athletic teams and organizations to transition safely back into sports. Before returning to athletics, consult with state and local health departments as their municipal and county regulations must be satisfied when developing a return to play protocol.