In February, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Treasury worked together to provide clarity and guidance on health coverage requirements related to COVID-19.
Highlights
- Plans and issuers are encouraged to ensure communications about the circumstances in which testing is covered are clear.
- Plans and issuers may continue to employ programs designed to detect and address fraud and abuse, as long as they are consistent with the prohibition on medical management.
Coverage of COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing
Health plans and issuers must cover COVID-19 diagnostic items and services without cost-sharing. The FAQs explain that plans and issuers:
- May not use medical screening criteria to deny (or impose cost sharing on) a claim for COVID-19 diagnostic testing for an asymptomatic person with no known or suspected exposure to COVID-19.
- May distinguish between COVID-19 diagnostic testing of asymptomatic people that must be covered, and testing for general workplace health and safety or other purposes not primarily intended for individualized diagnosis or treatment of COVID-19.
- Must assume that a test is for individualized clinical assessment if it is provided by a licensed or authorized provider, including at a state- or locality-administered site, a drive-through site or a site that does not require appointments.
Other Guidance
These FAQs also provide guidance regarding:
- Coverage of COVID-19 vaccines and other preventive care services;
- Notice requirements for plans and issuers regarding coverage of preventive care services; and
- Requirements for employee assistance programs (EAPs) and on-site medical clinics that administer COVID-19 vaccines to be considered excepted benefits.
This Legal Update is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact legal counsel for legal advice. ©2021 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.