Coronavirus 2022 (COVID-19)

Medical Plan Updates: 4/25/2022

 

UnitedHealthCare (UHC)

  • UHC reminded members that there are two types of FDA-authorized COVID-19 tests:
    • Diagnostic tests, which determine if you are currently infected with COVID-19
    • Antibody tests, which should be used to diagnose a current infection, may determine if you might have been infected with the virus
  • There will continue to be no cost share on medically appropriate, FDA-authorized, COVID-19 testing ordered by a physician or health care professional, during the national public health emergency (PHE) period, currently scheduled to end July 14, 2022. This includes in and out-of-network COVID-19 related telehealth visits.
  • Beginning April 15, 2022, members can go to the Optum Store to purchase over-the-counter at home antigen test kits and submit receipts for reimbursement through the medical or pharmacy benefit, or members can enter their insurance information to obtain tests at no cost share using their member id card and some personal information.
  • On April 14, 2022, the FDA issued emergency use authorization for the InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer, the first COVID-19 rapid diagnostic test that uses breath to detect a COVID-19 infection.
    • UHC will cover the use of the Breathalyzer during the PHE period at no cost share on medically appropriate testing, ordered or reviewed by a physician or licensed health care professional, to either diagnose if the virus is present due to symptoms/potential exposure, or to help in the treatment of the virus

 

Anthem Blue Cross (Anthem)

  • Anthem provided members with a helpful tool for determining the latest mask guidance in their community. Members can visit the CDC COVID-19 toolkit (https://www.covid.gov/) to identify the COVID-19 risk level by county and recommendations for precautions they should take.  The tool identifies the following risk levels for each county:
    • Green (low risk): You may choose to wear a mask at any time based on personal preference
    • Yellow (medium risk): If you are at high risk of severe illness, ask your doctor whether you should wear a mask
    • Orange (high risk): Wear a mask indoors, regardless of vaccination status or personal risk level

 

Kaiser Permanente: No new updates

 Cigna: No new updates

 

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The Department of Human Resources (DHR) works closely with the County-sponsored medical plans available to our employees, and receives regular updates concerning the COVID-19 crisis.  Watch this page for weekly news, as well as any urgent updates on how to get treatment and new recommendations concerning social distancing, self-quarantine, and more.