The health plan provides coverage in full for diagnostic/viral testing as well as antibody testing that is determined to be medically appropriate for the diagnosis and treatment of an individual by an attending provider as evidenced by an order from the attending provider.
No. Testing that is ordered or performed solely for purposes of pandemic control or re-opening the economy, and not based on a determination by an attending provider that the test is medically appropriate for the diagnosis and treatment of an individual is not covered under the member’s health benefit. This includes tests performed on someone with no symptoms to assess health status as required by parties such as a government/public health agency, employer, school, or camp.
Please note that free COVID-19 testing is available at locations across the state operated by the New York State Department of Health. Individuals do not need to be symptomatic or essential workers to obtain a test from these state sites. For more information, call the health department’s 24-hour hotline at (888) 364-3065.
To help alleviate the burden on provider offices, urgent care centers and hospitals, telehealth visits will be covered at no cost for most members (effective March 13, 2020).
For self-insured group plan members, please consult with your employer’s human resources or health benefits representative for COVID-19 related benefits.
You should ask your provider in advance if they are equipped to conduct telehealth visits via telephone, e-mail, or video chat.
Some common conditions for telehealth visits include:
When your doctor isn’t available, telemedicine may be an option for you. Whether you need a consultation for acute, non-emergency conditions, or someone to talk to during a challenging time, our partnership with MDLIVE gives you convenient access to medical and behavioral health care 24/7/365 from the comfort of your home. Note: At this time MDLive is unable to order COVID-19 tests. Please contact your doctor or local county health department if you believe you have COVID-19 symptoms.
Given that the COVID-19 situation is rapidly evolving, the best resources for up-to-date health information are:
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends taking everyday preventive precautions to help prevent exposure to this virus and others like it by:
Practicing good health habits every day helps to keep our community healthy.
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