While many of the reported cases of COVID-19 are outside of the United States, the numbers are increasing each day here stateside. Here are some helpful ways health insurance providers are taking action in North Carolina:
Aetna will waive co-pays for all diagnostic testing related to COVID-19, according to CVS Health. That includes all member costs associated with diagnostic testing at any authorized location for Commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid lines of business. Aetna is also offering zero co-pay telemedicine visits for any reason, and it is extending its Medicare Advantage virtual evaluation and monitoring visit benefit to all fully insured members. People diagnosed with COVID-19 will receive a care package.
BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina will cover members’ cost for COVID-19 testing and will not require prior approval for COVID-19 testing. The company is also expanding virtual access to doctors and will waive early medication refill limits. These changes apply to fully insured, Medicare Advantage and Federal Employee Program members.
Cigna is covering the cost of coronavirus testing, waiving all co-pays or cost-shares for fully insured plans, including employer-provided coverage, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and individual market plans available through the Affordable Care Act.
Humana will waive out-of-pocket costs associated with testing for COVID-19 for patients who meet CDC guidelines at approved laboratory locations. This will apply to Humana’s Medicare Advantage, Medicaid and commercial employer-sponsored plans. Telemedicine costs waived for all urgent care needs for next 90 days. Early prescription refills allowed for next 30 days
United Healthcare will cover the cost of doctor visits and testing for COVID-19, waiving member costs for approved diagnostic testing for all commercially insured, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid members. The company has also opened Optum’s Emotional-Support Help Line, free of charge to anyone who may be suffering from fear or stress of COVID-19.
References:
https://press.humana.com/press-release/current-releases/humana-takes-steps-care-members-response-coronavirus
https://www.ahip.org/health-insurance-providers-respond-to-coronavirus-covid-19/
https://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/news/blue-cross-nc-to-cover-member-cost-of-coronavirus-test
https://www.uhc.com/health-and-wellness/health-topics/covid-19
