Members, Aetna is here to keep you informed during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Visit our COVID-19 FAQ page for answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding the coronavirus and to get the latest information. Aetna’s liberalized coverage of Commercial telemedicine services, as described in its telemedicine policy, will continue until further notice. 5 All member cost-sharing waivers for covered in-network telemedicine visits for outpatient behavioral and mental health counseling services for Commercial plans are active until January 31, 2021. 6 Aetna self-insured plan sponsors offer this waiver. In addition, Aetna will waive early refill limits on 30-day prescription maintenance medications for all members with pharmacy benefits administered through CVS Caremark. Anthem will waive copays, coinsurance and deductibles and prior authorization for.
Several commercial health insurers will waive member cost-sharing — which includes copays, deductibles and coinsurance — for COVID-19 testing and treatment into the next year.
Here are 14 commercial payers that have announced extensions to their COVID-19 cost-sharing waivers into 2021, per America's Health Insurance Plans. As of Dec. 2, the federal public health emergency period is scheduled to end Jan. 21, so many of the policies below also end on that day.
Editor's note: Policies vary by insurer. This list will be updated if more announcements are made. Email mhaefner@beckershealthcare.com if your company has implemented similar measures.
1. Aetna is waiving member cost-sharing for inpatient admissions to treat COVID-19 for commercially insured and Medicare Advantage members through Jan. 31.
2. Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield expanded COVID-19-related benefits for fully insured and individual health plans through Jan. 21.
3. Avera Health Plans will waive cost-sharing for COVID-19 treatment with in-network providers through Jan. 21.
4. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City will waive cost-sharing and copayments for COVID-19 inpatient hospital admissions through Jan. 20.
5. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network will continue to waive cost-sharing for members who are diagnosed and treated for COVID-19 through March 31.
6. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is extending its cost-sharing waiver for in-network COVID-19 treatment through March 31.
7. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska will waive cost-sharing for in-network COVID-19 testing and related services through Jan. 20.
8. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is extending its cost-sharing waiver for COVID-19 treatment through March 31.
Aetna Telehealth Policy 2020
9. Capital Blue Cross is waiving cost-sharing for provider visits that result in a COVID-19 test through Jan. 21.
10. Cigna is waiving out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 visits with in-network providers through Jan. 21.
11. Premera Blue Cross is extending cost-sharing waivers for COVID-19 treatment through March 31 for both inpatient and outpatient treatment.
12. Priority Health will waive cost-sharing for medically necessary treatment of COVID-19 through March 31.
13. QualChoice Health Insurance has waived cost-sharing payments for telehealth visits, and no pre-authorization is required through Jan. 21. Best free antivirus for mac os x.
14. Security Health Plan is covering inpatient and observation treatment related to COVID-19 at 100 percent through Jan. 21.
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Published April 2, 2020
Follow our Medicare Coronavirus News page for related information on coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impact on Medicare beneficiaries. Software file.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) mandated in early March that all testing for COVID-19 be covered in full by Medicare and private Medicare insurance carriers. A COVID-19 vaccine will also be covered if and when one becomes available.
Now, some private insurance carriers are going a step further by eliminating cost-sharing for COVID-19 treatment protocols as well.
Cigna, Humana and Aetna have each taken measures to reduce out-of-pocket spending for their Medicare plan members who undergo treatment for the disease. These out-of-pocket costs can include plan deductibles, coinsurance and copayments.
COVID-19 treatment can potentially include inpatient hospital stays, doctor’s office appointments, inpatient skilled nursing facility stays, home health visits and emergency ambulance transportation.
These services can typically come with costs such as copays and deductibles.
With waived coinsurance and deductibles for COVID-19 treatment, savings can add up
Cigna and Humana both waived COVID-19-related cost-sharing for their Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plans.
Medicare Advantage plans cover the same inpatient and outpatient services and items that are covered by Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B).
While Original Medicare is provided by the federal government, private insurance companies administer Medicare Advantage plans. To download softwares for pc.
Some of the out-of-pocket costs that a beneficiary who has Original Medicare may face if they receive covered COVID-19 treatment include:
Is Aetna Medicare Waiving Copays
- Beneficiaries who have Original Medicare and who receive inpatient hospital treatment for COVID-19 will typically have to pay the 2020 Medicare Part A deductible of $1,408 for each benefit period that they receive inpatient care.
There are also Part A daily coinsurance costs for lengthy hospital stays that last longer than 60 days. - Beneficiaries who have Original Medicare and who receive outpatient care must pay the 2020 Part B deductible of $198 per year before Medicare covers the costs of their outpatient care.
After meeting the Part B deductible, beneficiaries typically pay a 20 percent coinsurance or copay for covered services and items.
For members of Medicare Advantage plans from Cigna and Humana, however, those costs will be waived for covered COVID-19 treatment.
“Our customers with COVID-19 should focus on fighting this virus and preventing its spread,” David M. Cordani, President and CEO of Cigna1
“While our customers focus on regaining their health, we have their backs,” David Cordani, President and CEO of Cigna, said in a statement.
Cigna’s cost-sharing waiver expires May 31, 2020.
“We know we’re uniquely positioned to help our members during this unprecedented health crisis,” said Bruce Broussard, President and CEO of Humana. “It’s why we’re taking this significant action to help ease the burden on seniors and others who are struggling right now.”2
Humana’s waivers includes costs related to COVID-19 treatment by both in-network and out-of-network facilities or physicians.
Humana’s cost sharing waivers currently have no end date, as the company plans to readdress the situation as needed.
Aetna, a CVS Health company, is also dismissing COVID-19-related inpatient cost-sharing for its members.
“The additional steps we’re announcing today are consistent with our commitment to delivering timely and seamless access to care as we navigate the spread of COVID-19,” said Karen S. Lynch, president of Aetna Business Unit. “We are doing everything we can to make sure our members have simple and affordable access to the treatment they need as we face the pandemic together.”3
Aetna’s cost-sharing waiver for inpatient admissions to any in-network facility for treatment of COVID-19 is currently in effect until June 1, 2020.