COVID-19 UPDATE
Public Health Emergency Period Extends COVID-19 Testing Cost Share Waiver
Health & Human Services extends PHE through Jan. 11
Health & Human Services (HHS) extended the federal public health emergency (PHE) period through January 11, 2023.
In compliance with The Families First Coronavirus Response Act and HHS guidance, health plans following Cigna’s standard coverage will continue to cover individualized COVID-19 diagnostic tests and related visits without customer cost share through the PHE*. Testing done for employment purposes remains not covered.
Any client who has elected a benefit different than standard coverage, such as an extension of testing beyond the PHE, will maintain their selected benefit coverage unless they notify Cigna requesting a change.
The coverage includes FDA-approved COVID-19 diagnostic tests administered by an in or out-of-network health care provider.
*The Families First Coronavirus Response Act requires fully-insured and ASO plans to cover diagnostic visits, testing as well as items and services furnished during an office visit (including telehealth), urgent care center visit, and ER visit resulting in an order or administration of diagnostic testing, but only to the extent that the items or services relate to evaluating a person to determine if diagnostic testing is required.