Minnesota health plans agree to cover more COVID-19 costs

[dflprincess]

https://www.startribune.com/one-new-death-as-minnesota-s-covid-19-cases-rise-to-742/569319912/

MINNEAPOLIS — Many Minnesotans won't need to pay out of pocket if they need treatment for COVID-19, and the state will start releasing the names of most senior living and other long-term care centers hit by outbreaks of the disease, officials said Thursday.

Six major health plans have agreed to to waive copayments and coinsurance requirements for COVID-19 testing and in-network hospitalizations, and to grant expanded access to telemedicine services so people can receive care at home.

he health plans that have agreed to waive cost-sharing are Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, HealthPartners, Hennepin Health, Medica, PreferredOne and UCare. The agreement runs through at least May 31. The agreement does not cover people who are on self-insured plans through their employers because the state lacks the authority. And it doesn't cover victims who get sent to out-of-network hospitals, though the state is still trying for that.

"Our goal is that if you get sick with COVID-19, your focus should only be on getting better and recovering," Commerce Commissioner Steve Kelley said. "You shouldn't have to worry about getting a bill that could ruin you financially, especially during this difficult time."

It's not perfect, but it's a step in the right direction.

[Wellstone ruled]

1. No that is a real positive.

[dflprincess]

2. It is a good thing that the fully insured plans are included.

The hole in this is that self-insured plans may not be covered. Those are usually large employer groups (250+ employees) that only pay the health plans for administrative services but cover their own claims. So people who work for 3M, Honeywell, etc may not be helped by this.

But it sounds like that's still being negoitated.

Note that it's the non-profit plans that have agreed to this.

[Wellstone ruled]

3. Our oldest Son

just ran head on to this yesterday. He as a Walton Associate and having a pre existent medical condition and not having completed his Probationary qualification for enrollment period,just found out where that hole is.

Again,after a Covid scare two days ago,and it was his Diabetes mimicking those same symptoms,ended up landing him in the local ER with out any coverage. This should not happen,it tells one just how terrible our Health Care System is .