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Centene and Quartet Health have expanded their existing partnership to help members quickly and easily access the behavioral health care they need. The nationwide expansion will enable members to seamlessly access quality behavioral health care from providers located in their areas who serve their unique clinical needs. To support members who want access to care from their homes during the COVID crisis, all scheduled appointments will be with providers who support virtual care.
Centene has formed a research partnership with the National Minority Quality Forum to assess the impact of COVID on racial minorities and underserved communities across the country. The Minority and Rural Health Coronavirus Study will examine the risk factors associated with the disproportionate impact that coronavirus is having on racial minorities and rural communities.
The shelter-in-place orders across the country during the COVID crisis have led to an increase in incidents of domestic violence. Centene is waiving all cost sharing for in-network primary care, behavioral health, and telehealth visits for the remainder of the calendar year for Medicare Advantage members. Medicare Advantage members may also be eligible for the following expanded benefits for the remainder of Centene has convened a group of medical, non-profit and community leaders to form the Centene Health Disparities Task Force.
The Task Force will meet on a regular basis to provide advice and recommendations to Centene through the pandemic and beyond.
Centene is making three investments to support communities that are experiencing elevated levels of stress and mental strain caused by an increase in grief, loss, economic pressure, unemployment and social isolation due to the COVID crisis. TF-CBT is an evidence-based treatment for the impact of traumatic experience on child and adolescent mental health. For the Frontlines provides fast, free, text-based crisis support to individuals on the frontlines of the COVID pandemic response, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other essential workers.
As part of this partnership, Centene will allocate funds to assist warmlines in meeting the demand for increased capacity brought on by the pandemic.
Mental Health First Aid teaches citizens to recognize signs that someone might be experiencing a mental health crisis, suicidal thinking, or abusing substances.
Advancing States, in collaboration with Centene, is releasing www. This new website serves as a tool to solve the critical problem many healthcare facilities face during the COVID crisis — how to fill critical staffing gaps in a timely fashion. The first release allows nursing homes, assisted living facilities, residential care facilities, and long-term acute care hospitals to identify gaps in specific staffing needs they have on particular days. An algorithm then matches the workers to the facilities — in real time.
States and territories have the ability to manage which facilities are included to enable preference for those in crisis as well as to monitor the matching process. Centene has expanded membership access via Telehealth and has been supportive of provider practices to ensure care continuity during the COVID crisis.
As part of the provider program, the company has launched a dedicated online portal where providers can research benefits they may be eligible for and work directly with experts to apply for them. The company will provide resources to aid providers in grant writing and business loan applications, among other key activities.
The program will help providers apply for various benefits including small business loans, a paycheck protection plan and various grants they may be eligible for.
In addition to the online portal, the Company will provide partners with access to webinars and one-on-one consulting with key experts. Centene has also made a series of investments to address the social determinants of health for vulnerable populations during the COVID crisis. Centene is also purchasing 50, gift cards for use on essential items.
The cards will be delivered to local providers and other community resources for distribution to individuals in need. Centene has released resources on improving health care access for people with disabilities during the COVID pandemic, as well as maintaining their access to personal attendants.
The program will help providers apply for various benefits, including small business loans, a paycheck protection plan and various grants for which they may be eligible. Centene has also created a comprehensive financial aid package in response to the unprecedented needs of safety net providers including Federally Qualified Healthcare Centers, behavioral health providers and community-based behavioral health organizations, and long-term service and support organizations operating on the front lines of the pandemic.
Centene is creating a Medical Reserve Leave policy to support clinical staff who want to join a medical reserve force and serve their communities during the COVID pandemic. The new policy will provide paid leave and benefits for up to 3 months of volunteer service. Centene is also eliminating the need for providers to collect co-pays and removing authorization requirements for COVID related treatment. The company will not require prior authorization, prior certification, prior notification or step therapy protocols for these services.
CMG has continued to provide testing and has administered over 4, COVID vaccines as of mid-February to patients and qualified members of the community through drive-thru vaccine clinics and in its 21 health care centers.
Cigna is covering the cost of approved vaccines without any cost share. The vaccine is currently purchased by the federal government and provided free of cost to individuals. Cigna has extended member cost-sharing waivers and other enhanced benefits through Oct. The extension includes:. Cigna Dental will reimburse contracted network dentists for PPE when providing dental services for Cigna customers.
In addition, Cigna is helping dental providers overcome the stress and anxiety of returning to work by offering mental health resources and support for in-network dental office employees. Network dentists and office staff can speak to a qualified representative 24 hours a day, seven days a week through July 31 by calling 1. Cigna group dental clients will also receive a one-month premium credit applied in July for clients who were active in May The employer can pass through the premium credit to employees if they are responsible for their dental premiums.
No action is required by clients to receive this credit. In addition to the one-month premium credit for eligible clients and customers, Cigna Dental has implemented dental care solutions to assist employers and their employees during the COVID pandemic, including no-cost virtual dental care for employees through July 31, The Cigna Foundation is inviting nonprofits working to create greater access to mental health services to apply for funding through its Healthier Kids For Our Future SM grant program.
In Phase II, the program will add an additional focus area, addressing the mental health and well-being of children. Nonprofits working to improve childhood hunger can still apply as well. Many families across the country are facing increased stress and anxiety right now.
Prior to COVID, up to 20 percent of children and adolescents worldwide experienced mental illness, and the crisis is shedding light on a worsening mental health crisis — as both children and adults are struggling with anxiety, loneliness, and isolation.
This expansion applies to all U. Cigna has launched the Cigna Care Card to help clients provide financial assistance to keep employees healthy and supported during the COVID crisis. The new offering will make it easier for employers to support the well-being and peace of mind of employees and their families by designating a tax-free dollar amount to cover expenses incurred as a result of COVID The Cigna Care Card is a debit card powered by Alegeus that allows clients to pre-load funds that employees can use for qualified disaster relief payments, such as medical payments, groceries, child care, and wellness services.
Payments are tax-free to employees and fully deductible to the employer. Cigna is adding Talkspace to its behavioral provider network for customers seeking a more convenient therapy option.
With private messaging text, voice, and video , Talkspace connects Cigna customers to dedicated licensed therapists who engage daily through a secure app. Customers can also schedule live video sessions based on personal preference. Cigna is expanding its digital capabilities to help customers with COVID by providing real-time, personalized support. These new virtual solutions will help rapidly identify and assist Cigna customers who arrive in emergency room settings with COVID symptoms, and support those who are actively recovering at home.
Cigna has partnered with Collective Medical to identify customers, in real-time, checking into emergency care settings with COVID symptoms. With this information, Cigna Care Advocates can quickly engage these customers and connect them with programs to support whole person health, such as care management, remote patient monitoring and behavioral health support.
Customers with mild to moderate COVID symptoms can now access an interactive digital tool while they safely shelter and recover at home. Cigna has partnered with Medocity to create a simple solution, Medocity for Cigna, which allows customers to track their symptoms, connect with care advocates and access behavioral and emotional supportive resources.
Cigna Foundation and New York Life Foundation have partnered to launch the Brave of Heart Fund to help the spouses, domestic partners, children, and parents of the frontline healthcare workers who gave their lives in the fight against COVID In addition to the financial assistance, Cigna will provide behavioral and emotional health support to the families to help them cope. Cigna is also partnering with The TeleDentists, a national virtual care dental provider with more than dentists.
Through a video consultation, licensed dentists can triage urgent situations such as pain, infection, and swelling and guide the customer on next steps. If necessary, the dentist will prescribe medications, such as antibiotics and non-narcotic pain relievers.
Louis to initiate a clinical trial that will evaluate antimalarial and antibiotic treatments for COVID The researchers plan to enroll patients, over the course of the study, hospitalized with the novel coronavirus at Barnes — Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO. Through the pilot, Cigna is reaching out proactively to many of its Medicare customers to monitor their general health and well-being as well as daily needs during COVID, including food, housing and transportation.
Customers will be able to opt-in to receive follow-up calls from the same Cigna representative to help cultivate meaningful connections.
Cigna will also leverage its comprehensive data and analytics to identify MA customers who may be at higher risk for health issues and complications for additional proactive outreach to help answer questions about COVID, conduct regular health checks and triage care to a medical professional, if necessary. The pilot program will initially reach 24, customers with plans for rapid expansion.
Cigna and Express Scripts are working with Buoy Health to provide an early intervention screening tool to help customers and members understand their personal risks for COVID The digital tool immediately triages symptoms and recommends next steps for care, while also relieving demand on an over-burdened health care system. The policy applies to customers in the U. Cigna will also administer the waiver to self-insured group health plans. Cigna will waive prior authorizations for the transfer of its non-COVID customers from acute inpatient hospitals to in-network long term acute care hospitals to help manage the demands of increasingly high volumes of COVID patients.
Employers and other entities that sponsor self-insured plans administered by Cigna will be given the opportunity to adopt a similar coverage policy. The company is making it easier for customers with immunosuppression, chronic conditions or who are experiencing transportation challenges to be treated virtually by in-network physicians with those capabilities, through May 31, Additionally, Cigna will offer a webinar to the general public raising awareness about tools and techniques for stress management and building resiliency, along with the ability to join telephonic mindfulness sessions.
Cigna is covering the cost of coronavirus testing, waiving all co-pays or cost-shares for fully insured plans, including employer-provided coverage, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and individual market plans available through the Affordable Care Act.
Organizations that offer Administrative Services Only ASO plans will also have the option to include coronavirus testing as a preventive benefit. Recognizing that health outbreaks can increase feelings of stress, anxiety and sleeplessness and sometimes loss.
Cigna is also staffing a second phone line for customers. CVS Health. CVS Health has formally launched its COVID vaccination program for long-term care facilities, whose residents have been disproportionality impacted by the pandemic. CVS Pharmacy teams will administer the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine in facilities across 12 states this week, and the company expects to vaccinate up to four million residents and staff at over 40, long-term care facilities through the program.
CVS Pharmacy teams will make three visits to each long-term care facility to ensure residents and staff receive their initial shot and critical booster. The majority of residents and staff will be fully vaccinated three to four weeks after the first visit, depending on which vaccine they receive.
CVS Health expects to complete its long-term care facility vaccination effort in approximately 12 weeks. Vaccinations will begin in 36 more states, as well as the District of Columbia, on December Puerto Rico will activate on January 4.
Funds will help clinics add technology solutions, including software and hardware, increase training and staffing needs and secure internet services to support the practice of telemedicine.
Most results from these existing test sites are generally available within 2 to 3 days. CVS Health announced new and expanded programs to help prevent opioid misuse, which come as the COVID crisis has presented challenges to delivering traditional drug abuse prevention programs for young people.
Working with Discovery Education, CVS Health has launched a suite of no-cost digital resources that empower educators to discuss the facts about prescription and illicit drug misuse with students in either a classroom or virtual learning setting. CVS Health currently manages the largest number of independently run COVID test sites in the country, and with these new locations the company expects to have more than 4, operating by mid-October. In recent weeks, CVS Health has expanded its network of independent third-party lab partners in an effort to help improve turnaround time for the delivery of test results.
As a result, the majority of test results from specimens collected at CVS test sites across the country will generally be available within 2 to 3 days. The opening of these new test sites on Friday, August 21 add to the locations previously opened in Florida. In addition to increasing the number of drive-thru sites, CVS Health has expanded its network of independent third-party lab partners in an effort to help improve turnaround time for the delivery of test results.
Given the steps CVS Health has taken, the majority of test results across the country will generally be available within 2 to 5 days. The solution helps return employees to worksites and students, faculty and staff to campuses, and integrates COVID testing for ongoing business continuity. CVS Health is working with Piedmont Healthcare in Georgia to support their solutions for increasing hospital bed capacity. Specifically, Coram has enhanced its clinical monitoring, virtual support and oversight through telehealth to complement existing personalized in-home support, coordination and administration of medications and supplies.
In addition to traditional in-clinic patient visits, patients are now able to select a virtual E-Clinic visit with a local MinuteClinic provider for a wide variety of routine health care needs. This new telehealth option is available in Washington, D. This includes enhanced clinical monitoring, virtual support and oversight through telehealth to complement existing personalized in-home support, coordination and administration of medications and supplies.
Dean Health Plan. Dean Health Plan is waiving in-network cost-sharing, including copayments, coinsurance and deductibles, for COVID diagnostic testing.
Dean Health Plan will cover the test and doctor visit at no cost to members when the basis for the visit is related to testing for COVID Delta Dental. Delta Dental of Arizona. Delta Dental of Arizona has also partnered with the Arizona Department of Administration to provide 30, toothbrushes and 30, tubes of toothpaste to homeless shelters and organizations serving vulnerable populations.
PPE support payments will be made as separate, monthly lump-sum payments that reflect the total number of Delta Dental of Arizona claims paid to the dental office for the period. Claims paid during the timeframe of the program are the only claims eligible for the PPE support payment. As a result, approximately, small- to medium-sized businesses will not get an increase in rates and will continue to benefit from the same competitive premium rate for another 12 months.
Delta Dental of Arkansas. The beneficiaries included network group clients and members, dentists, Arkansas non-profit and community organizations as well as company employees.
Delta Dental of Arkansas is providing financial assistance to its business clients and network dentists as Arkansans continue to feel the impact of COVID on their businesses. The new program — the Delta Dental of Arkansas Advance Receipts Program — will provide financial support to dental practices, who are limited to providing only emergency services during the COVID outbreak. Delta Dental of California.
The COVID crisis has elevated food insecurity rates across the country and increased the need for fully stocked food banks. Dental caries, a disease that causes tooth decay, has also been linked to food insecurity and the disruption of regular eating patterns.
The additional loan funding offers expanded ways for providers to use the funds, including practice acquisitions, new-location expansions, commercial real estate and equipment purchases, practice buildouts — which may include investment to support new health and safety standards — and refinancing existing practice and commercial real estate debt.
This second phase also offers favorable loan terms including the first 12 months of interest covered by Delta Dental. The funding will be in the form of unrestricted grants for organizations that provide critical services to underserved individuals, including medical clinics and community service organizations.
Funds will support a variety of response activities for at risk populations. Delta Dental of Colorado. Delta Dental of Illinois. The Foundations developed the grant opportunity to help offset costs associated with reopening and continuing operations during the COVID crisis.
Grants were focused on these health centers and clinics because they offer crucial services to Illinois residents who are underserved and may face obstacles to receiving needed care. The Foundations are committed to eliminating health disparities and recognize the important role these organizations have in providing care. Delta Dental of Iowa. The credit will cover April and May premiums and be applied to July premiums.
Delta Dental of Kentucky. Delta Dental of Massachusetts. For patients who choose to return to the dentist for preventive cleanings, DDMA will provide each member of a fully insured group plan who completes a preventive cleaning visit between June 1 and August 31 with a free electronic toothbrush. Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. Delta Dental of Missouri. The age-appropriate online program features a minute video with brand-new Land of Smiles superhero characters, which can be used for students in the classroom and for those involved in partial or full-time virtual learning.
More than 60 Missouri schools have already signed up to take advantage of this free virtual program. Delta Dental of New Mexico. Delta Dental of Rhode Island.
The amount of support is based on Delta Dental patient volume in each practice. Delta Dental of Tennessee. With a large number of these events cancelled due to the pandemic, donations from the community have been crucial during this time.
Delta Dental of Virginia. The funds will be distributed to the more than 4, dentists in the Delta Dental of Virginia network. Dental practices may use these donated funds to cover operating expenses associated with safety guidelines, including acquiring personal protective equipment. Delta Dental of Wisconsin. Traditionally, the Cool Water Program grant has covered the installation cost of new filling stations at 20 schools and provided toothbrushes and dishwasher-safe water bottles for all students and staff.
This year, though, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction recommended that schools discontinue the use of shared drinking fountains. So, the Foundation decided to forego the water bottles and toothbrushes and fund seven more schools instead. Delta Dental of Wyoming. The DentaQuest donation is the largest received to date.
The DentaQuest Partnership for Oral Health Advancement is offering free online continuing education credit courses for dentists, hygienists, dental assistants and other dental care team members, including a COVID Education Series designed to help educate in the areas of infection control and other best practices for the re-opening of dental clinics.
All courses are designed and delivered by expert faculty members, including clinicians, academics, data scientists, government and nonprofit leaders and oral health educators. Empire BlueCross BlueShield. The program provides a weekly bag of food to students from 4 local elementary schools.
These funds come at a time when fundraising events have been cancelled due to the COVID crisis, and the need for the programs has been growing due to COVID and its impact on families in the local communities. Costs are also waived for Medicare Advantage enrollees seeking COVID treatment through December 31, , including inpatient and outpatient services, respiratory services, durable medical equipment, and skilled-care needs. Florida Blue. Florida Blue will work with its partners at organizations such as the Florida Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers and others to identify opportunities across the state to address areas in need.
The model allows more people to be tested at a substantially reduced cost and will be exportable to other labs with similar technology. Florida Blue is extending the premium due date through the end of June for customers who needed extra time to pay premiums as a result of the COVID health crisis and would otherwise have been subject to termination of coverage.
Florida Blue will also waive cost-sharing for its members who must undergo testing and treatment for COVID, including in-patient hospital admissions, through August 1, The assessment function of the new virtual assistant pops up automatically on the websites, and guides users through educational content or through a series of questions to check for COVID symptoms and related risk factors.
Based on the assessment results, the tool directs users to contact their primary care provider for next steps, to the Florida Blue Center nurses for answers to commonly asked questions about COVID and connection to community resources, or to immediate care options as needed. Florida Blue will waive cost-sharing through June 1 for its members who must undergo treatment for COVID, including in-patient hospital admissions.
The announcement impacts all Florida Blue members with Affordable Care Act, Medicare Advantage excluding Part D drug plans and other individual plans, as well as all fully insured employer group health plans.
Florida Blue is allowing groups and individual members more time to pay through May 31, for customers unable to pay premiums as a result of the COVID health crisis that would otherwise have been subject to termination of coverage.
Florida Blue is adding a free-to-member virtual care partner, Teladoc, for seniors and others on its Medicare Advantage plans, and waiving the virtual care copay for many commercial and Affordable Care Act members to encourage use of Teladoc if it is offered as part of their plan.
The company is waiving early medication refill limits on day prescriptions, is encouraging the use of virtual care, and is offering mental health support for experiencing stress from COVID First Choice Health.
First Choice Health is covering the cost of telehealth services for its self-funded employer customers via on-demand primary care service 98point6. First Choice Health will provide its employer customers complimentary access to 98point6 for 60 days.
Gateway Health. Many of the areas where Gateway Health members live have been hit especially hard by the economic challenges associated with COVID, including food insecurities. They will be able to expand access to much needed heathy food options in light of the ongoing COVID crisis. The donation also supports ongoing nutrition education and resources in these areas. Gateway Health is waiving all member co-payments, co-insurance and deductibles associated with COVID testing and medical treatment.
This applies to in-network and out-of-network inpatient, outpatient and emergency department services related to COVID treatment. Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. Cost-sharing payments for COVID telehealth treatments are also being waived if the policy was purchased in Massachusetts.
Cost-sharing for emergency services related to COVID treatment administered by out-of-network providers will also be waived. Harvard Pilgrim Health Care has waived member cost sharing deductibles, copays, coinsurance for COVID treatment provided by in-network providers through January 31, This enhanced policy applies to all Harvard Pilgrim fully insured commercial, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement members.
The waiver applies to all Harvard Pilgrim fully insured commercial, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Supplement members. Telemedicine service will stay covered in full for Medicare Advantage members through December 31, The independent primary care practices Harvard Pilgrim is supporting are, on average, small and physician-owned, many with limited access to capital or other external support to assist them during the pandemic. While shortages of PPE have eased since the start of pandemic, many of these practices are forced to explore expensive avenues or use multiple vendors to purchase PPE, as the supply chain typically favors large health care systems with significant buying power.
Additionally, many practices, especially those in rural communities, lack the resources and infrastructure to fully integrate telehealth into their practices. Harvard Pilgrim is awaiting regulatory approval for this action in Connecticut which it expects to receive shortly.
Harvard Pilgrim will be providing the following relief and support to members, customers, independent primary care physicians and community health centers:. The waiver applies to medical costs associated with COVID treatment at in-network facilities and out-of-network emergencies. The money will help select restaurants throughout the region to provide and deliver take-out meals to families in need and help to put people back to work.
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care will cover the costs of diagnostic testing for COVID, waive cost sharing for all telemedicine visits and allow early refills for prescription medications. Self-insured groups will have the ability to opt-in at their discretion. Health Care Service Corp. Heath Care Service Corp. The company has obtained all necessary approvals. Through this program, HCSC will pay eligible and approved HCSC employees, who are medical clinicians, to volunteer for patient care in their field for up to 80 hours of paid time during their regular scheduled work hours.
HCSC will also offer a special enrollment period for its insured group customers. The special open enrollment period begins April 1 and will end April 30, This applies to all members they insure; the company is working with self-insured plans on their decisions. Healthfirst, Inc.
Members will not be subject to any cost sharing for the test or the in-network provider visit. The waiver applies to fully insured employer and individual members. For Medicare and Medicaid members, the cost-sharing waiver extends until the federal government declares an end to the public health emergency. The credit will be applied to December premiums. HealthPartners is waiving the cost for fully insured members for the treatment of COVID when getting care from an in-network provider, through December 31, HealthPartners is also waiving the cost for fully insured members for the treatment of COVID when getting care from an in-network provider, effective March 1 through September 30, This includes copays, coinsurance and deductibles.
HealthPartners is waiving Medicare member cost-sharing for all in-network primary care and behavioral health visits, effective July 1-Dec.
This will provide members with financial relief and encourage members to seek important and necessary care during the COVID crisis. Cost-sharing will be waived for in-person, phone and video primary care and behavioral health visits, including visits for substance abuse when services provided are in-network. HealthPartners is offering an innovative solution to provide consultation and direct support for businesses as they work to reopen, safely return workers and welcome back customers during the COVID pandemic.
The HealthPartners Dental Plan will provide monetary relief to network providers as they face the cost of acquiring PPE to care for patients. HealthPartners Institute and researchers at the University of Minnesota have teamed up with developers to create a mobile app that provides users with data about the health of their neighborhood, helping them avoid potential COVID hotspots.
These census block groups usually contain around 1, people and most accurately reflect neighborhoods. HealthPartners is providing coverage with no cost share for the administration of the COVID laboratory test regardless of where the test is performed. It is also providing coverage with no cost share related to an in-network office visit or urgent care visit associated with the test.
Over local small and medium-sized practices were able to safely receive boxes of medical-grade PPE, including N95 and surgical masks, gowns, gloves and face shields. Highmark is also waiving all copays and deductibles for telemedicine through March 31, Highmark is donating over , masks to community organizations in need throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Delaware.
Across the three states, community organizations received the bulk-quantities of face masks including more than 90, adult-size face masks and 4, youth-size face masks. In Southwestern Pennsylvania specifically, over 21, masks were donated to 72 community organizations. Highmark is extending a waiver of cost-sharing — such as deductibles, coinsurance and copays — for members who require in-network, inpatient hospital care for COVID through Dec.
Highmark is also extending a waiver of telehealth services through Dec. The waiver for in-network telehealth visit cost-sharing will also be extended through Dec. As with COVID treatment, self-funded employer groups for which Highmark administers benefits may also opt-out of this waiver. Highmark is donating Back-to-School Toolkits containing personal protective equipment and resources to school districts across Pennsylvania and Delaware.
School districts with Highmark coverage will receive adjustable face coverings to fit a wide age range of students, face shields for teachers and staff members, disinfectant hand wipes, large one-gallon pumps of hand sanitizer, signage containing best practices, and resource guides to assist with the transition to the new school year, courtesy of Highmark.
Signage and resource guides are also available for download on the Highmark Employer Back-to-School Toolkit website. School districts will be given the option to schedule when and where they will receive the supplies to align with their current and future reopening plans.
In addition, specimens will be collected and taken to the Pennsylvania Bureau of Laboratories for testing after each event. Highmark is sending cloth face coverings to Direct Pay Medicare members in Pennsylvania and West Virginia as part of its 1 million face covering initiative.
Members who have individual Highmark Medicare Advantage plans can expect to receive one face covering per member at their residence through the remainder of August and early September.
In total, nearly , face coverings will be distributed across both states. Highmark is waiving all virtual medicine and telehealth costs through Sept. Highmark is joining forces with four small and diverse Pittsburgh-based businesses to design, manufacture and donate over 1 million cloth face coverings throughout the summer months.
The face coverings will be distributed to at-risk and vulnerable Highmark members, community organizations in need, health care professionals, and employer groups across Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia. Anyone can use the Healthbot to check their symptoms, which will then provide guidance on seeking appropriate medical care when necessary during the COVID pandemic.
Highmark has announced that its commercial, Affordable Care Act and Medicare Advantage members in Pennsylvania and Delaware now have access to a comprehensive, technology-enabled opioid use disorder OUD program. Highmark is waiving deductibles, co-insurance, and copays for members who require in-network, inpatient hospital care for COVID The waiver will continue through May 31 as Highmark continues to monitor and evaluate the rapidly changing nature of this crisis.
Highmark has also introduced an additional day grace period on late premium payments allowing members the ability to maintain their coverage and avoid cancellation for a more extended period of time. Highmark will assist local primary care physicians by advancing payments made through the True Performance reimbursement program. The reimbursement payments would have been made in June, but will begin going out the week of April 6 as many physician practices are being affected financially by stay-at-home orders and other COVID related issues.
More than 1, primary care practices or associated entities in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Delaware will receive the advanced payments based on achievement in the True Performance program. Highmark will cover coronavirus testing, when recommended by a medical professional, for members of its fully insured group customers, as well as members of its Medicare Advantage and ACA plans. Self-insured health plan sponsors will be able to opt-out of the program.
Highmark has also waived member cost sharing for all covered telehealth services for 90 days and expanded access to telehealth vendor platforms for Medicare Advantage and Medicaid members.
Highmark Health has expanded coverage for telehealth to all members, including self-funded customers who had previously opted out of telehealth coverage. Highmark Health is also covering COVID testing, both in-network and out-of-network, up to charges for out-of-network providers.
Highmark Health is ensuring access to teleaddiction services for members in PA, WV and DE who are in addiction treatment and need immediate help, but may not be able to access their regular provider during this time. These services are covered for both in- and out-of-network without cost sharing for members for 90 days. Through June 30, , most Horizon members will not pay any cost share copay, coinsurance, deductibles for covered services related to inpatient or outpatient treatment when the primary diagnosis is COVID This means that members will pay no deductible, copay or coinsurance for inpatient and outpatient care when claims indicate treatment was directly related to treatment of COVID as the primary diagnosis.
Addressing social determinants of health has become even more critical in light of the COVID pandemic. Individuals whose access to services and care was challenging in the best of circumstances, now face even greater challenges.
The policy, retroactive to March 1, and in place through at least June 30, , means that members will pay no deductible, co-pay, or coinsurance for inpatient and outpatient care when their claim indicates treatment was related to COVID Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey will waive prior authorizations for diagnosis of COVID, cover the full cost of diagnostic testing for COVID, waive early medication refill limits for day prescription medications, and provide access to telehealth services at no cost.
Humana Medicare Advantage members will have no copays, deductibles, or coinsurance out-of-pocket costs for covered services for treatment of confirmed cases of COVID, regardless of where the treatment takes place.
This could include telehealth, primary care physician visits, specialty physician visits, facility visits, labs, home-health and ambulance services. For Medicaid plans, members are encouraged to check their plan documents for details about their coverage.
Medicaid plans will continue to follow state requirements for COVID treatment and cost-share waivers.
This does not apply to Part D-only plan members. Part D-only plan members continue to be eligible for prescription benefits. Both of these social determinants of health are even more acute today in light of the COVID pandemic and the related economic downturn.
Humana will mail more than 1 million in-home preventive care screening kits to members in , helping increase access to routine screenings that many members have put off during the COVID crisis. Testing is available for all eligible medical plan members, including Medicare Supplement.
If testing is recommended, members can opt to have a testing kit mailed to their homes within one business day. The pharmacy staff will give members a test kit and help complete the process correctly.
The most vulnerable are disproportionately experiencing the economic and health implications of COVID These challenges are compounding issues many were dealing with before the pandemic, including hunger and financial instability. At the end of each month, Humana will send a stipend to its dental provider partners, based on the total number of claims for Humana members that month.
Humana is eliminating out-of-pocket costs for office visits so that Medicare Advantage members can reconnect with their healthcare providers. To reduce barriers, Humana is waiving in-network primary care costs, not only for COVID costs, but all primary care visits for the rest of In addition, the company is waiving member costs for outpatient, non-facility based behavioral health visits through the end of year.
Humana is also extending telehealth cost share waivers for all telehealth visits—PCP and specialty, including behavioral health, for in-network providers through The commitment will be split between organizations that support essential workers, food security, behavioral health and community-based organizations.
Humana is providing financial and administrative relief for the health care provider community facing unprecedented strain during the coronavirus pandemic. Humana is also expanding its policy of suspending prior authorization and referral requirements, instead requesting notification within 24 hours of inpatient acute and post-acute and outpatient care.
Costs related to treatment for COVID, including inpatient hospital admissions, will be waived for enrollees of Medicare Advantage plans, fully insured commercial members, Medicare Supplement, and Medicaid. This applies to Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and commercial employer-sponsored plans.
Self-insured plan sponsors will be able to opt-out. The company is also waiving telemedicine costs for all urgent care for the next 90 days, and is allowing early refills on regular prescription medications. Independence Blue Cross. Cost-sharing will be applied to post-acute care e. Independence Blue Cross is waiving all cost-sharing for the administration of the COVID vaccine to commercial group and individual members.
Independence Blue Cross is covering consumer grade pulse oximeters that are prescribed by an in-network doctor and purchased through an in-network supplier.
Member cost sharing will be waived through March 31, Pulse oximeters are small, portable devices that monitor oxygen levels in the blood and pulse rate, and can help monitor members who have a COVID diagnosis or are recovering from COVID Independence is waiving pre-authorizations for acute, in-network, in-patient admissions from the emergency department for a COVID diagnosis, and for transfers from an in-patient facility to long-term ambulatory care, rehabilitation, or skilled nursing facilities, and transportation between facilities, through March 31, Independence Blue Cross is offering medical and dental premium credits to fully insured employers, as well as providing premium rebates due to the effective management of medical costs.
Independence is also extending payment options for certain fully insured employers. The medical premium credit is calculated using member enrollment figures as of July 1, In addition, in partnership with United Concordia Dental UCD , a one-time dental premium credit will be issued to fully insured, small group clients with Blue-branded stand-alone dental coverage and fully insured, large group, UCD-branded dental plan clients.
The dental credit will be issued with September invoices. Independence will extend its payment flexibility and continue to accept credit card payments from fully insured employers with up to enrolled employees through September 30, The program provided an extended period for customers to pay their April or May invoice with no interest and no penalty. Independence Blue Cross is also waiving cost sharing payments for telemedicine services with a primary care doctor or specialists through Dec.
In addition, Independence Blue Cross will cover consumer grade pulse oximeters that are prescribed by an in-network doctor and purchased through an in-network supplier. Member cost sharing will be waived through July 31, The site provides information on clinical and business initiatives taken by Independence to support doctors, hospitals, health systems, and other health care professionals during the pandemic.
The purpose of the calls is to give comfort and support to those who need it during the COVID crisis. Independence Blue Cross and Philadelphia-based United By Blue, a sustainable outdoor apparel and accessories brand, today announced the launch of a new program that offers four weekly grocery deliveries at no cost to Independence Medicare Advantage members.
Each delivery contains fresh, local, and organic groceries, homemade soups, and household supplies. Independence Blue Cross is expanding its temporary suspension of prior authorization for acute in-network inpatient admissions from the emergency department to include all diagnoses including COVID and for in-network transfers and transportation between facilities.
The change, which is for fully insured members, takes effect immediately and will remain in effect until June 4, The app provides effective ways to alleviate feelings of anxiety, reduce stress, and find peace of mind.
Quil, the digital health joint venture of Independence Health Group and Comcast, is updating content in the tool daily based on new information and best practices. This means members will pay no co-pay, co-insurance or deductible in this scenario. Independence is also waiving cost-sharing for emergency department visits when members are admitted to the hospital under these same conditions.
These changes are effective March 30, and will extend through May 31, Independence is also temporarily suspending prior authorizations for acute inpatient admissions from an emergency department at all in-network facilities for members with a COVID diagnosis through April In addition, prior authorization requirements are temporarily suspended for transfers from acute in-network inpatient facilities to post-acute in-network facilities long-term acute care hospitals, rehabilitation or skilled nursing facilities for any diagnoses.
Notification from facilities is still required. Independence is waiving cost sharing payments for all primary care telemedicine visits through June 4. Independence is also expanding coverage for telemedicine services to reimburse visits with specialists and ancillary service providers and expanding existing behavioral health telemedicine coverage to ensure that members with autism spectrum disorder receive Applied Behavior Analysis support. Independence Blue Cross will cover and waive cost-sharing such as co-pays and coinsurance for the COVID test when performed at a hospital or an approved laboratory.
This includes members enrolled in fully insured plans, employer-sponsored plans, Medicare Advantage and the individual and family plans available through the Affordable Care Act.
Self-funded plans will be able to opt-out of this program. Independent Health. Independent Health is expanding its partnership with Brook, a Seattle-based health-technology company that helps individuals take better care of their health.
The new feature will allow members to log their meals, instantly receive detailed nutrition information about their food, and get expert advice from registered dietitians, certified diabetes educators, and nutritionists. Independent Health has waived copayments and cost-sharing for COVID medical testing, diagnosis and treatment for its fully insured employer groups, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid and individual plan members.
Independent Health implemented a global payment reimbursement model to help primary care practices during the pandemic. This way, practices were not solely dependent on office or telehealth visits for reimbursement to stay afloat. For its members who do not have a primary care physician, Independent Health partnered with several primary care practices to connect these members with a doctor right away.
Independent Health is also allowing members who are considered to be at higher risk as defined by CDC guidelines to obtain an early refill of their medication if needed. Indiana University Health. Indiana University Health is accelerating payments for purchased products and services. The initiative aims to boost cash flow for the many Indiana-based businesses that supply needed goods and services to health care providers and other Central Indiana companies during the global COVID crisis.
The dozens of Indiana vendors who will see expedited payments from IU Health include many small businesses and women- and minority-owned enterprises. This includes health care workers serving at non-IU Health facilities. Indiana University Health provides free screening for COVID via its virtual visits app where Indiana residents of any age are able to review symptoms with a health care provider. The team will recommend and facilitate appropriate pathways for care and will provide direct access and communication with local hospitals as medically appropriate.
Inland Empire Health Plan. In addition to the resources made available, partnering organizations are actively engaging with individuals and families, as well as communities, to ensure that those interested in affordable health care are fully aware of the available options.
In addition to the sponsorship, IEHP will encourage interested employees to volunteer for the program, launching September 1. Aiming to reduce the digital divide and social isolation experienced by seniors and persons with disabilities in the face of COVID, Rolling Start Inc.
Program participants will be required to complete all instructional courses within a designated time to keep their devices. IEHP team members will use this training as a tool to teach program participants how to navigate social media websites, access telehealth benefits, and how to use the tool to improve communication with their medical providers.
Inland Empire Health Plan has housed homeless members who have chronic health conditions and are high utilizers of health services. The innovative program also assigns members to case managers who provide benefit education and preventative health support.
Inland Empire Health Plan has provided more than 2. Talk to a Nurse: Call Aetna's nurse line to speak with a registered nurse. Nurses are available 24 hours a day and can provide information on a range of topics such as medical procedures and treatment options, as well as tips on how to talk to your doctor and describe your symptoms better. Discounts The Aetna Discount Program is provided to members at no extra cost.
Once you are registered and logged in to the Aetna Navigator site, hover over Health Programs at the top, and then select See the discounts for a complete list.
You'll find information about health conditions, tests and procedures, treatment options, and illustrations and tools to help you make more informed health care decisions. You can also access these resources on the go from your smartphone or tablet. Enrolling in Baby BluePrints gives you access to information on pregnancy and childbirth, along with individualized support from a Health Coach who is available to you throughout your pregnancy and after giving birth.
Plus, you can get in shape without stretching your budget with discounts on gym memberships, fitness classes and more.
If you enroll by December 15, your plan will take effect on January 1, If you enroll after December 15, your plan will take effect on February 1, On December 15, the hours of operation will be 8 am to 12 pm EST.
On January 15, , the hours of operation will 9 am to 8 pm EST. Talk to a licensed agent not for technical assistance. Stop by a Highmark Direct Store. To see all 10 locations in Pennsylvania, visit highmarkdirect. Member help. Quesions about member benefits, claims or payments? Please call the number on the back of your ID card. Talk to a licensed agent in Western New York: Talk to a licensed agent in Northeastern New York: Talk to a licensed agent in Western PA: Talk to a licensed agent in Northeast PA: You have selected the store.
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Insurance Plans. Highmark Insurance Plans Our insurance options include: Medicare: For those 65 and older or otherwise Medicare eligible we offer several Highmark Medicare Advantage plans including private health insurance Part C , standalone prescription drug coverage Part D and Medigap supplemental insurance. Learn more about your Medicare options. Individual and family plans: Highmark offers a variety of health insurance plans for individuals and families.
Dental: Blue Edge Dental covers cleanings, exams and other dental services. Travel insurance: GeoBlue provides trip protection and medical coverage for Americans traveling outside the U.
Additional Member Programs These programs also are available to Highmark plan members: Fertility treatments: Our WINFertility program saves money on fertility treatments and connects you with experts.
Make an Appointment For a personalized session with a Highmark Direct health insurance store associate, make an appointment at one of our convenient store locations or simply drop in.
Web11 of the Best Discounts for Fitness Instructors and Personal Trainers Lululemon Trainer Discount. While yoga is at the core of who they are, Lululemon offers much more than yoga pants and tank tops. Their quality activewear is made for runners, cross-trainers, and, in their words, just about any other “sweaty pursuit.”. WebDental and vision discounts: Fully-insured groups with 51+ employees can receive medical discounts when they also buy Blue Edge Dental and Blue Branded Vision. Highmark . Highmark Inc. and its health insurance subsidiaries and affiliates collectively are one of America's largest health insurance organizations. Highmark Inc. and its affiliates operate .