NHADA | Blog

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Bulletin

Written by Dan Bennett, President | Mar 13, 2020

While our recommendation is still to default to the CDC for continuing updates on COVID-19, we have worked with NHADA partners Devine Millimet and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care to provide you with more information.

Please reference these four resources below:

1. Q&A from NHADA Partner Devine Millimet;
2. Info on Harvard Pilgrim Health Insurance coverage (NHADA’s Endorsed provider);
3. Info on Short Term Disability;
4. Helpful links to the CDC and advice for businesses

  1. COVID-19 Q&A from NHADA partner Devine Millimet:
    This bulletin answers wage and hour questions and when you can instruct employees remain at home due to COVID-19 exposure. Read More
  2.  
  3. Health Insurance Coverage

This coverage varies greatly depending upon the plan that you have. Here is a link to information from Harvard-Pilgrim (NHADA’s Endorsed Health Plan) that specifically deals with COVID-19: Read More

AND Below is the specific information on how Harvard is handling testing and prescriptions.

Will Harvard Pilgrim cover the cost related to COVID-19 testing?

To facilitate our members’ ability to receive necessary testing for suspected COVID-19 exposure, and until further notice, Harvard Pilgrim is waiving cost sharing for:

  • The COVID-19 test
  • Doctors office, urgent care and ER services for COVID-19 testing
  • Telemedicine services

This policy applies to our fully insured, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans. Coverage will be provided in accordance with plan requirements.

Connecticut members: In accordance with the Connecticut Insurance Department Bulletin, members on our fully insured Connecticut plans can access 90-day supplies of maintenance prescription drug medications included under the customer’s plan at usual copays, cost sharing, and deductibles through their pharmacists or providers. Additionally, members will also have access to out-of-network providers for the initial COVID-19 test when no in-network providers are available. Harvard Pilgrim will not impose prior authorization and referral requirements, where applicable, so members can get timely medically necessary testing for COVID-19.

Massachusetts members: In accordance with the Massachusetts Division of Insurance bulletin, members on our fully insured commercial Massachusetts plans do not have to pay any applicable copayments for treatment they receive for COVID-19 from providers that participate in our network. However, other member cost sharing, such as deductibles and coinsurance, may apply for COVID-19 treatment. Members will also have access to out-of-network providers for the initial COVID-19 test or treatment when no in-network providers are available.

New Hampshire members: In accordance with the New Hampshire Division of Insurance Order, members in our fully insured commercial New Hampshire plans will be able to obtain a one-time refill of their covered maintenance prescription medications for up to a 90-day supply, as allowed by law. Members will also have access to out-of-network providers for the initial COVID-19 test only if no in-network providers are available. Harvard Pilgrim will also remove prior authorization and referral requirements, where applicable, so members can get timely medically necessary testing and treatment for COVID-19.

Is telehealth an option?

Telemedicine services, such as video visits with Doctor On Demand, are available to members on individual and group fully insured plans. If you have concerns related to COVID-19, you can check in with a health care provider from home (via smartphone, tablet or computer) to determine whether you need to take further action and to avoid long emergency room waits. Telehealth visits may help limit the spread of the disease. It may also be an option for individuals in self-imposed quarantine to check in with a health care provider.

Medicare members may have access to virtual visits with qualified Medicare providers.

How can I get a 90-day supply of medicine?

To ensure that you have enough medicine on hand, you can fill a 90-day supply of maintenance medicines when you are eligible for a refill. Maintenance medicines are those you take regularly, such as birth control, blood pressure or cholesterol medicines.

To get a 90-day supply of maintenance medicines you can use our mail order pharmacy, OptumRx Home Delivery. Most orders arrive within seven days of when you place the order. Your options are to:

  • Log in to your member account at harvardpilgrim.org and click “Check drug coverage and costs” to order your medicines from OptumRx Home Delivery.
  • Use the OptumRx app, available for download from the Apple Store or Google Play.
  • Ask your health care provider to e-prescribe your medicine(s) to OptumRx Home Delivery.
  • Ask your health care provider to phone your medicine(s) to OptumRx Home Delivery at (855) 258-1561

You can also ask your health care provider for a 90-day prescription for the medicines you take regularly and have them filled at a retail pharmacy.

You may also want to check your supplies of over-the-counter pain relief, fever and cough medicines.

Note: Not all employer-sponsored plans offer Harvard Pilgrim’s prescription drug benefits and mail order program. Please check your plan benefits or with your employer.

  1. Short Term Disability

NHADA provides Short Term Disability through Anthem Life. You may have another company that provides Short Term Disability to your employees. Under certain circumstances, Short Term Disability may assist your employees if they are dealing with COVID-19. Please use the guide below to find links for miscellaneous carriers:

Aflac

American Fidelity

Anthem Life

Harvard Pilgrim and the Guardian Life Insurance Company

Unum

CDC Info

Due to the rapidly changing recommendations from the CDC we recommend that members stay informed regularly by reviewing their website directly.

Resources for businesses and employers

Community mitigation strategy

Additionally, we have developed this blog post that addresses raising concerns about COVID-19 and the motor vehicle industry.