COVID-19 news National public health emergency extended to July 19, 2021

The national public health emergency has been extended from April 20, 2021, to July 19, 2021. Below is an overview of how that extension affects temporary provisions for COVID-19 testing and testing-related services for major payers

UHC

Individual Exchange, Individual and Group Market health plans: From Feb. 4, 2020 through the national public health emergency period, UnitedHealthcare is waiving cost sharing for in-network and out-of-network COVID-19 tests and testing-related services, including testing-related telehealth visits.

Medicare Advantage: From Feb. 4, 2020 through the national public health emergency period, UnitedHealthcare is waiving cost sharing for in-network and out-of-network tests for COVID-19.

Medicaid: State-specific rules and other state regulations may apply. For Medicaid and other state-specific regulations, please refer to your state-specific website or your state’s UnitedHealthcare Community Plan website, if applicable.

 

Aetna

Aetna’s liberalized coverage of Commercial telemedicine services, as described in its telemedicine policy, will continue until further notice

For Individual Aetna Medicare Advantage members, copays are waived for in-network telehealth visits for primary care through the end of the Public Health Emergency.

Cigna

The cost-share waiver for COVID-19 diagnostic testing and related office visits is in place until the end of Public Health Emergency (PHE) period said by Cigna

Interim accommodations for credentialing are extended through the end of the public health emergency period, currently through April 20, 2021

Humana

To support providers with caring for their Humana patients while promoting both patient and provider safety, we have updated our existing telehealth policy for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE)

Temporary expansion of telehealth service scope and reimbursement rules

To ease systemic burdens arising from COVID-19 and support shelter-in-place orders, Humana is encouraging the use of telehealth services to care for its members. 

Please refer to CMS, state and plan coverage guidelines for additional information regarding services that can be delivered via telehealth