RALEIGH — State Treasurer Dale R. Folwell announced the State Health Plan will be waiving the cost of treatment for members diagnosed with COVID-19, including associated deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.
It had been previously announced that the cost associated with the testing of COVID-19 was also covered.
The State Health Plan covers over 727,000 teachers, state employees, current and former lawmakers, state university and community college personnel and their dependents.
The member cost-share waiver for COVID-19 related treatments is effective immediately and will run through June 1, 2020.
Additional changes to medical and pharmacy benefits for Plan members in the 80/20 Plan, 70/30 Plan and High Deductible Health Plan have also been made. Such changes include expanded virtual access to providers, waived prior authorizations for covered services related to COVID-19 that are ordered by a physician or are medically necessary, and early medication refill limits on 30-day prescription maintenance medications are being waived.
For the Plan’s UnitedHealthcare (UHC) Medicare Advantage members, there will be no cost for the COVID-19 test. Copays and coinsurance have been waived for visits associated with the COVID-19 testing. Members can request an early prescription refill for any medication. Each Medicare-covered Virtual Doctor visit will have a $0 copay and there is a $20 copayment for each Virtual Behavioral Visit.
UHC is also offering free emotional support for those who feel extra stress or fear due to COVID-19. Members can call the Emotional-Support Help Line offered by Optum at 866-342-6892, TTY 711, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
For more information on UHC services, members should call 866-747-1014.
More information can be found on the State Health Plan website under Coronavirus Updates.
