Important Issues

As states enter various phases of reopening, insurance companies are starting to pull back COVID-19 benefits that could endanger the public health response.

Axios reported this morning that a number of payers have begun walking back universal coverage of coronavirus testing. For example, UnitedHealthcare has begun covering only "medically necessary" tests that have been order by a physician or healthcare provider. UnitedHealthcare has also reintroduced prior authorization requirements in place prior to COVID-19. United is not alone is paring back benefits. 

The problem with this reduction in allowances is many places are still under a public health emergency. The District, for example, is under a public health emergency through mid-July. Physicians and public health officials are continually cautioning that a decrease in infection rates may not be permanent, and only aggressive testing and contact tracing can help identify when infections may flair up. 

MSDC will continue to advocate for smart health policies that do not burden patients with bills for public health monitoring activities.