Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)

 Medical Plan Updates: 4/6/2020

 

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act)

  • Signed into law on Friday, March 27, 2020.
  • Reinstates coverage of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and medicines as eligible for reimbursement through a Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account, or Health Reimbursement Account, without a doctor’s prescription.
    • Includes expenses incurring on or after January 1, 2020.
  • Expands the definition of qualified OTC items to include menstrual care products.

 

 Kaiser Permanente (Kaiser)

  • As of April 1, 2020, Kaiser has temporarily closed an additional 26 Southern California clinical facilities and corresponding pharmacies.
    • Services have been consolidated at four San Diego facilities.
    • All Southern California Target Clinics have been closed.
    • An updated list of temporarily closed and consolidated facilities can be found on the link below:

 

 UnitedHealthcare (UHC)

  • UHC Behavioral Health is enabling providers and members to use alternative applications to conduct virtual visits to receive appropriate treatment.
    • To support the behavioral health needs of its members, through April 30, 2020, members can access health care providers via Apple FaceTime, Facebook Messenger, Zoom, Google Hangouts, or Skype.
  • UHC is offering members free premium access to Sanvello Health, a leading provider of digital and telephonic mental health solutions.
    • Members must download the Sanvello application and create an account to access strategies, coping tools, and peer support.
  • Cost-sharing is being waived until June 18, 2020 for the following:
    • In-network and out-of-network telehealth COVID-19 testing-related visits
    • All in-network telehealth visits for medical, outpatient behavioral, and Physical/Occupational/Speech therapy services
    • All Virtual Visits

 

Anthem Blue Cross (Anthem)

  • Members receiving COVID-19 care (including testing) from providers within their network, will pay no out of pocket expenses from April 1, 2020 through May 31, 2020.   This includes telehealth visits for Physical/Occupational/Speech therapy and mental health, through June 14, 2020.
  • Anthem has expanded their Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to include all members.
    • The EAP website includes webinars designed to provide emotional support, coping tools, child and elder care resources, and financial support information.

 

Cigna

  • No updates to report.

 

Helpful Links:

 

Archive Links:

 

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.