COVID-19 Public Health Emergency to End May 11th
COVID-19 Public Health Emergency to End May 11th
May 9, 2023
As many of you may have recently heard in the news, the United States federal government is ending the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency on May 11th, 2023. As a result, the New York City District Council of Carpenters Welfare Fund (“the Fund”) will be covering COVID-19-related services as follows:
Vaccine: The COVID-19 vaccine WILL continue to be covered as a preventive service at no cost when obtained from an IN-NETWORK provider. If the vaccine is administered by an out-of-network provider, standard cost-sharing will apply.
Diagnostic testing: Copays, deductibles, and co-insurance WILL apply to visits when members are tested for COVID-19. Diagnostic testing for COVID-19 will be paid consistent with your health plan benefits, including benefits for in-network and out-of-network services. Testing should continue to be performed only when medically necessary. To find in-network laboratories, you can use the provider look-up tool offered on Independence Administrators’ website (listed below).
Over-the Counter (“OTC”) at-home testing reimbursement: Coverage for eight free take-home OTC tests WILL end. This applies to both Independence Administrators and Express Scripts. Per federal guidelines, members with HSAs or FSAs may receive reimbursement for OTC tests.
Telemedicine: Standard cost-sharing will be applied to member benefits regardless of COVID-19 diagnosis.
Timely filing of claims: Federal guidance required the suspension of timely filing requirements for up to one year during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. Timely filing requirements will begin again 60 days after the Public Health Emergency for any claim that is currently covered by the waiver of timely filing guidance.
If you have questions concerning COVID-19-related coverage through the Fund moving forward, you can contact:
- Independence Administrators at 1 (833) 242-3330 or MyIBXTPAbenefits.com;
- Express Scripts at 1 (800) 939-2091 or Express-Scripts.com;
- The Fund Office at 1 (800) 529-FUND (3863) or nyccbf.org.
