As the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared COVID-19 a pandemic, employees may be wondering how their medical carrier would cover testing or care for COVID-19.
Most major medical carriers have announced how they will help support concerned members; see below. For members covered on a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP aka HSA compatible plan), the IRS issued Notice 2020-15, which allows HDHPs to pay for COVID-19 testing and treatment without imposing a deductible or other cost sharing.
Attached is information that you can share with employees via email or post in the breakroom/restrooms/common areas:
Watkins Insurance Group will keep you informed about any additional changes. Please contact us if you have any questions. We’re here to help.
Medical Carrier Responses
Aetna Fully-Insured Plans
- Link to details for Aetna members
- Aetna will waive co-pays for all diagnostic testing related to COVID-19.
- For the next 90 days, Aetna will offer zero co-pay telemedicine visits for any reason.
- Through Aetna’s Healing Better program, members who are diagnosed with COVID-19 will receive a care package with CVS over-the-counter medications, and personal and household cleaning supplies to help keep others in the home protected from potential exposure.
- Through existing care management programs, Aetna will proactively reach out to members most at-risk for COVID-19.
- CVS Pharmacy will waive charges for home delivery of prescription medications.
- Aetna will now offer 90-day maintenance medication prescriptions for Commercial and Medicare members.
- Aetna will waive early refill limits on 30-day prescription maintenance medications for all members with pharmacy benefits administered through CVS Caremark.
Aetna Level-Funded Plans
- We are waiting for details and will update you ASAP.
BCBS Fully-Insured and Self-Funded Plans
- Link to details for BCBS members
- Coverage for fully insured members: Effective immediately for all fully insured members, for testing to diagnose COVID-19 when medically necessary and consistent with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance:
- No prior authorization needed
- No member copays or deductibles
- Self-insured and split-funded employers must opt in to offer their employees the testing to diagnose COVID-19 when medically necessary and consistent with CDC guidance. The deadline to opt in us 3/31/2020.
Cigna
- Link to more info for Cigna members
- Cigna will waive all co-pays and cost-shares for Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing as recommended by your health care provider.
Humana Fully-Insured Plans
- Telemedicine costs waived for all urgent care needs for next 90 days.
- Early prescription refills allowed for next 30 days.
- Member support line available to help support members with specific Coronavirus questions and concerns, including live assistance with Telemedicine.
Humana Self-Funded and Level-Funded Plans
- Test must be ordered by a physician and done at an approved lab. Humana will waive out-of-pocket costs, where allowed within state and federal law, associated with testing for COVID-19 for patients who meet CDC guidelines at approved laboratory locations. Self-insured plan sponsors will be able to opt-out of the program at their discretion.
United Healthcare
- Link to details for UHC members
- United Healthcare has also waived all cost-sharing (co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles) for COVID-19 diagnostic testing for all Commercial, Medicaid and Medicare members. Self-inured plans may also implement similar coverage. Optum’s Emotional-Support Help Line is available to support all United Healthcare members who may be anxious or stressed about COVID-19.
United Healthcare All Savers Level-Funded Plans
- Link to details for UHC members
- All Savers is following the above stated UHC guidance. They are also allowing early Rx refills through the end of March.
