LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) announced Monday that the state has secured agreements from nearly all of the state’s health insurers to extend their waiver of all out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 testing, vaccinations, and treatments.
These agreements cover more than 92% of the commercial health insurance market in Michigan, according to officials.
“As we continue working to combat this global pandemic and save lives, the very last thing that Michiganders should have to worry about is whether their health insurance will cover the costs of their care,” Governor Whitmer said in a statement. “I’m pleased that these agreements with health insurers will be extended to ensure Michigan residents everywhere can equitably access COVID-19 testing, treatment and vaccinations as we work together to end this pandemic.”
As an extension of previous agreements, consumers with individual and group health plans listed below will not be charged cost-sharing, including copays, deductibles, and coinsurance, for medically appropriate COVID-19-related medical treatment, such as primary care visits, diagnostic testing, emergency room visits, ambulance services, and approved medications and vaccines.
“Eliminating financial barriers to getting care helps Michiganders focus on prevention and getting well, not on how they are going to pay medical bills,” DIFS Director Anita Fox said. “Protecting Michiganders’ health and financial wellness during this pandemic continues to be our top priority, and I am grateful that so many of Michigan’s health insurers have agreed to continue to do their part.”
The insurers who have agreed to waive cost-sharing are:
- Aetna (expires February 28, 2021)
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Blue Care Network (expires March 31, 2021)
- HAP, Alliance Health (expires March 31, 2021)
- McLaren Health Plan (expires March 31, 2021)
- Meridian Health Plan (expires April 21)
- Molina Healthcare Michigan (expires March 31, 2021)
- Oscar (expires March 31, 2021)
- Physicians Health Plan (PHP) (expires June 30, 2021)
- Priority Health, Priority Health Insurance Co. (expires March 31, 2021)
Federal law requires health insurers to provide no-cost coverage for COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, though not necessarily for COVID-19 treatment, during the federal public health emergency, which is currently set to expire on April 21, 2021.
Consumers with Medicaid or Medicare may also receive a no-cost COVID-19 test, vaccination, and related services provided by a health care provider.
Consumers with coverage from an insurer not named in the state agreement, such as Humana, Paramount, or United should contact their insurance company to find out about their coverage before incurring costs.
DIFS can help consumers with health insurance questions and complaints and can provide information about the upcoming Health Insurance Marketplace Special Enrollment Period that will be open from February 15 through May 15.
Contact DIFS Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 877-999-6442, or Michigan.gov/
More information on the DIFS can be found at www.michigan.gov/difs.
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