These Carriers are Waiving COVID-19 Treatment Costs

Health insurance carriers are already covering COVID-19 tests, and many are covering telehealth costs associated with COVID-19 screening. These carriers have recently announced they're waiving coronavirus treatment costs.

Aetna Waives Coronavirus Treatment Costs

Aetna is covering inpatient hospital admissions for COVID-19 treatment and related health complications. See CVS Health announces cost-sharing and co-pay waivers for COVID-19-related treatment for Aetna members (3/25/20)

Anthem Waives Cornavirus Treatment Costs

Members won’t have to pay for COVID-19 treatment from doctors, hospitals, and other health-care professionals in your plan’s network from April 1 through May 31, 2020. Your COVID-19 testing is covered, too. You’ll also pay nothing if you have a telehealth visit with a doctor in your plan through June 14, 2020.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Waives Coronavirus Treatment Costs

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) announced that independent and locally-operated BCBS companies across the country have decided to waive cost-sharing for treatment of COVID-19 through May 31. This includes coverage for testing and treatment administered, including for inpatient hospital stays. See Local Blue Cross and Blue Shield Companies Waive Cost-Sharing for COVID-19 Treatment

Blue Shield of California Waives Coronavirus Treatment Costs

Blue Shield will cover members’ coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles for COVID-19 medical treatments through May 31, 2020. This announcement builds on previous efforts focused on eliminating out-of-pocket costs and cost-sharing for diagnostic testing and telemedicine visits and on expanding patient access to medicines.

Blue Shield will also allow members and employer groups to downgrade plans during their Special Enrollment Period through June 30, 2020. See Blue Shield of California Will Help Reduce Costs for Members During the COVID-19 Crisis

Cigna Waives Coronavirus Treatment Costs

Cigna is now waiving patient cost-sharing on all treatment for coronavirus through May 31, 2020, including hospitalizations and ambulance transfers for members. See Cigna COVID-19 Care and Coverage

Empire Blue Waives Coronavirus Treatment Costs

Empire Blue, as an Anthem affiliate health plan, waives cost shares for members in its affiliated health plans undergoing treatment related to a COVID-19 diagnosis. See Anthem Waives Cost Share for COVID-19 Treatment

Florida Blue Waives Coronavirus Treatment Costs

Through June 1, 2020, the test is $0 for all members and Florida Blue is waiving the cost-share for the treatment of those with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, including in-patient and observation hospital admissions.

Harvard Pilgrim Waives Coronavirus Treatment Costs

Harvard Pilgrim will cover COVID-19 treatment in full without member cost-sharing (no copayments, deductibles, or coinsurance). This announcement builds on previous efforts focused on eliminating out-of-pocket costs and cost-sharing for diagnostic testing and telemedicine visits and on expanding patient access to medicines. See Information for Providers on COVID-19 (pdf)

Humana Waives Coronavirus Treatment Costs

Humana is now waiving patient cost-sharing on all treatment related to coronavirus services, including inpatient hospital admissions. The waiver applies to all medical costs related to the treatment of COVID-19 as well as FDA-approved medications or vaccines when they become available. There is no current end date. See Humana to waive costs related to Coronavirus treatment (3/30/20)

Kaiser Permanente Waives Coronavirus Treatment Costs

Kaiser Permanente has announced that it will waive all member out-of-pocket costs for inpatient and outpatient services related to the treatment of COVID-19, as of April 1, 2020 through May 31, 2020. This is intended to alleviate the cost burden and stress on impacted members of paying for care. See Costs waived for members receiving COVID-19 treatment

UnitedHealthcare Waives Coronavirus Treatment Costs

UnitedHealthcare is waiving member cost-share for the treatment-related medical expenses of COVID-19 through May 31, 2020. UHC will work with self-funded customers who want to implement a similar approach. This announcement builds on previous efforts focused on eliminating out-of-pocket costs and cost-sharing for diagnostic testing and telemedicine visits and on expanding patient access to medicines.

Important Note

Even if you don't have to pay your health insurer, you could still be billed directly by the hospitals or doctors who provide your care if they are out of network providers. So stay in-network if you can.