Long COVID Resources for Providers

The information on this page is intended for health care providers. See the DOH Long COVID webpage for information for patients and the public.

Guidance on diagnosis and treatment of Long COVID is evolving. This page will be updated monthly to reflect the latest information and resources available. Refer to the CDC: Clinical Overview of Long COVID webpage for up-to-date information from the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC).

Partner Spotlight: The UW Medicine Long COVID Clinic

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is proud to partner with the University of Washington Medicine Long COVID Clinic, one of just 12 federally recognized Long COVID clinics across the United States. Their team brings expertise in clinical care, care coordination, clinician education, and Long COVID research. This collaboration strengthens our shared mission to support clinicians across Washington with evidence-based guidance, training, and tools for providing Long COVID care.

Learn more about the UW Medicine Long COVID Clinic, including their clinical services, research initiatives, and educational resources for patients and clinicians.

Long COVID Definition

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) and the CDC define Long COVID as "an infection-associated chronic condition (IACC) that occurs after SARSCoV-2 infection and is present for at least 3 months as a continuous, relapsing and remitting, or progressive disease state that affects one or more organ systems." This definition is intentionally broad and inclusive to accurately represent the range of possible presentations of Long COVID. Clinical judgement is necessary for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

More information about the NASEM Long COVID definition is available in their highlights and infographic documents released in July 2024.

Monthly Updates: Research, News, Training, and Guidance

Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER)

• RECOVER Initiative Recent Publications
• Severity of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and risk of new-onset autoimmune disease: A RECOVER Initiative study in nationwide U.S. cohorts
  • A study using RECOVER’s electronic health record networks to estimate the types and frequency of autoimmune diseases arising after SARS-CoV-2 infection. They found the most common new-onset autoimmune diseases in all networks were thyroid disease, psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease.

British Medical Journal (BMJ) Open Respiratory Research

• Bidirectional relationship between sleep problems and long COVID: a longitudinal analysis of data from the COVIDENCE UK study
  • A prospective, population based study of COVID-19 in adults that assessed post-infection sleep duration and quality. Poor-quality sleep before SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with increased risk of long COVID, but changes in sleep duration after infection were modest and generally resolved quickly.

Provider Education

• Project ECHO and University of Washington School of Medicine: Long COVID and Fatiguing Illness Recovery Program
  • These monthly webinar-style learning sessions will support the rapid dissemination of the latest findings and emerging best practices on Post-COVID Conditions (PCC) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). In addition to monthly webinars, there will be an opportunity to enroll in a monthly case-based virtual community of practice Long COVID & Fatiguing Illness Recovery Program ECHO tele-mentoring program. The teleECHO sessions will involve two cohorts: one meeting on the 1st Thursday of the month and the other on the 3rd Thursday. Complete this interest form for more details and join today!
  • This team also produces a monthly Literature Review with the latest Long COVID research.
• University of Washington (UW) and American College of Physicians (ACP): Long COVID Interest Group
  • The Washington Chapter of the ACP Long COVID Interest Group meets once monthly to discuss the rapidly evolving care of Long COVID or Post Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). This group is led by Dr. Anita Chopra and coordinated by Nicholas Franko. To view previous recorded calls, see the link in the title. To sign up and join the next call, complete the ACP Long COVID Interest Group form.
• The Long COVID Clinical Podcast
  • Physicians from the Ohio State University, University of Washington, and Emory University aim to educate physicians on how to diagnosis Long COVID, manage symptoms, and support patients. They discuss the latest research and report on new discoveries.
• CDC Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) Call: Evaluating and Supporting Patients with Long COVID in Returning to Work
  • This webinar reviews some of the complex symptoms specific to Long COVID, discusses medical considerations for recommending return to work, and reviews accommodations to support patients returning to the workplace.
• University of California Health: Long COVID/Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (PASC) Education
  • This video series includes 14 videos covering a range of Long COVID topics from evaluation in primary care settings to behavioral health to pediatrics. Videos may be viewed individually or complete all seven modules to qualify for up to 6.50 American Medical Association Physician’s Recognition Award (AMA PRA) Category 1 credits available until November 20, 2025.
• Stanford Medicine: Unraveling Long COVID: Advances in Clinical Practice
  • This recorded course provides strategies for navigating the complex landscape of Long COVID. Information is provided by experts in infectious diseases, neurology, cardiology, pulmonology, and sleep medicine. Renowned cellist Joshua Roman also shares his lived experience of Long COVID. 3.25 CE hours available until November 7, 2027.
• Stratis Health and the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians (MAFP): Long COVID ECHO Series for Healthcare Providers.
  • This three-part training covers how to recognize Long COVID, Long COVID in pediatric populations, and management of Long COVID.

Provider Resources

These resources may help providers identify, diagnose, document, and treat Long COVID.

• Patient-Led Research Collaborative: Pacing and Management Guide for ME/CFS and Long COVID
  • This guidance document outlines strategies for Pacing, an activity management strategy that balances rest with activity, to manage patient activities and mitigate post-exertional malaise.
• American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R): Guidance Statement Tables
  • AAPM&R have a variety of resources available to help inform clinical care.
    • Mental Health Guidance Statement: includes the treatment recommendation statements and pharmacologic agents used in depression, anxiety and PTSD.
    • Neurological Symptoms Guidance Statement: includes signs, symptoms, and treatment recommendations.
    • Pediatrics Guidance Statement: includes assessment guidance for children and adolescents.
    • Autonomic Dysfunction Guidance Statement: includes the diagnostic criteria, methodology, recommendations, and health equity considerations.
    • Cardiovascular Complications Guidance Statement: includes the recommendations, health equity considerations/examples, and rehabilitation approaches.
    • Fatigue Guidance Statement: includes the methodology, recommendations, and health equity considerations.
    • Breathing Discomfort Guidance Statement: includes the recommendations, health equity considerations/examples, and rehabilitation approaches.
    • Cognitive Symptoms Guidance Statement: includes the recommendations, screening tools, strategies, and health equity considerations. Also available as Cognitive Symptoms Guidance PowerPoint slides.
• American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R): Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (PASC or Long COVID) Clinician Note Templates
  • The multi-disciplinary PASC collaborative developed simple note templates for each PASC symptom area. Tenth revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) coding information is also included. These templates are meant to serve as guides and should not replace clinical judgement.
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Whole Health System Approach to Long COVID
  • A comprehensive guide published by the VA based on the whole health system approach and includes summaries of evidence-informed treatment recommendations for various symptom presentations.
• Bateman Horne Center: Clinical Care Guide for Managing ME/CFS, Long COVID, and IACCs
  • This guidebook serves as a practical resource for healthcare professional seeking to better understand, diagnose, and manage ME/CFS, Long COVID and other infection-associated chronic conditions (IACCs)
• RECOVER Initiative: Newsletter subscription available for timely updates on research and news.
• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ): Long COVID Care Network provides grant and research funding information. Email bulletin subscription available for grant and research updates.

Patient Support Resources

These resources may help providers support their patients in navigating Long COVID.

Return to Work Assistance

• Job Accommodation Network (JAN): A to Z by Disability Long COVID
  • This guide provides suggestions for workplace accommodations based on Long COVID symptoms and by work-related functions. Helpful for identifying accommodations to request.
  • Also available in an abbreviated handout form from the U.S. Department of Labor titled "Working with Long COVID"
• JAN and Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN): Supporting Employees with Long COVID
  • A guide for employers with information on how to support and retain employees with Long COVID including a question-and-answer section with actionable steps and resources.

Labor and Industries (L&I) and Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML)

L&I claims process for Long COVID:

• Any claim for Long COVID must first be filed as a claim for the work-related contraction of COVID. Long COVID is considered a sequela of the original infection. A workers’ compensation claim for COVID can be allowed when the following criteria are met:
  • The worker’s occupation creates an increased risk or greater likelihood of contracting COVID i.e. first responders or medical professionals.
  • If not for their job activities, the worker would not likely have contracted COVID. The requirements of the job need to be the cause rather than exposure from a co-worker.
  • The worker can identify a specific source or event during the performance of their employment that resulted in exposure to the COVID virus, i.e. an outbreak at a nursing home or a first responder transporting an individual known to be sick with COVID.
• There is positive testing confirming the contraction of COVID around the time of the infection. Home testing is not accepted.
• Once a claim for COVID is accepted, L&I would rely on medical information from a worker’s treating providers as to the existence of Long COVID. Treatment that is proper and necessary for the condition would then be covered as well as any disability because of it.
• L&I has additional information on COVID-19 including guidance for preventing COVID-19 and FAQs.

PFML claims process for Long COVID:

• Applicants can learn more about the differences between Medical Leave and Family Leave and what qualifies under PFML.
• Applicants do not need a positive test for COVID-19 to ensure coverage for Long COVID.
• Applicants will need documentation from a qualifying healthcare worker confirming a serious health condition and the applicant’s specific needs.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Resources

• Social Security Administration: Long COVID: A guide for Health Professionals on Providing Medical Evidence for Social Security Disability Claims
  • This guidance document details how to assist Long COVID patients with filing for disability. Updated June 2023.
• University of Washington School of Medicine: A Patient’s Guide to the Social Security Administration (SSA) Disability Application Process
  • This guidance document for patients details how to navigate the SSA application for disability. This guide is not specific for Long COVID but may be a useful resource for patients.

Symptom Identification and Tracking

• The World Health Organization (WHO) Support for rehabilitation: Self management after COVID-19-related illness
  • This pamphlet may be printed and provided directly to patients as a reference for managing many of the symptoms associated with Long COVID at home. It includes a symptom tracker.
• Stanford Medicine: Long COVID Videos
  • These videos describe various Long COVID symptoms in plain language and provide advice for management of symptoms at home.
• California Department of Public Health: Post-COVID Symptoms Log
  • This symptom tracker may be a useful tool for patients needing to document their symptoms and track patterns.
• Long COVID Justice: Symptom Tracking Guidance
  • This webpage may be useful for patients learning how to track their Long COVID symptoms effectively. It includes a symptom log.

Social Supports

• Coalition of Accountable Communities of Health (ACH): Community Care Hubs - Washington ACHs
  • Services for all people affected by COVID-19 are available by region. Patients may contact the call center to be directed to locally available resources and assistance with applying to social support programs.