Mayor Orders Payers to Cover More COVID-19 Testing

Being a physician in the District in the 21st century means being on the front line of the most pressing public health issues in the world. In our small geographic boundaries, physicians help address issue found in every state all in one area. The issues are too lengthy to list on one webpage but physicians are on the front lines of addressing health issues for all District residents.

News, Statements, and Testimony on Health Equity Issues

25th Council session information coming soon.

Mayor Orders Payers to Cover More COVID-19 Testing

Aug 25, 2020, 13:24 PM by MSDC Staff

Mayor Bowser expands the categories of people who are eligible for covered COVID-19 testing.

Recognizing the importance of robust testing, today Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking (DISB) issued an order requiring health insurers to cover the cost of COVID-19 testing for more categories of at-risk individuals.

The measure, seen here, requires all carriers offering health plans in the District to "cover testing to diagnose COVID-19 for individuals who meet the standards" defined by DC Health. People seeking tests will not require prior authorization or a referral from a physician to receive a test and have it covered by their insurance. However, the mandate does not extend to covering a test to an employee returning to the office after telework, though it does encourage such coverage.

Prior to today, DISB had required payers to cover tests that fell under CDC guidance for testing. Now, insurers must cover one COVID-19 test per week for some asymptomatic people in high-risk settings, are at-risk for complications, or have been exposed to a recently diagnosed person.

1/ Today, I mandated that all DC-licensed health insurers cover COVID-19 testing with no cost sharing for certain high-risk residents. This requirement, to be administered through @DCDISB, runs through the duration of the public health emergency.
— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) August 25, 2020

Sample of Health Equity Legislation MSDC Tracked

Student Access to Treatment Amendment Act (B23-467)

What does it say? The bill allows for the administration of medicinal marijuana in schools as well as allows students to bring sunscreen to schools and apply it without a prescription.

MSDC position: MSDC supports the language permitting sunscreen application in schools

Current status: A win for DC physicians and public health! The legislation passed the Council in February and was signed by the Mayor. Previous temporary and emergency legislation permitted students to use sunscreen at schools this school year already.

Electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment Registry Amendment Act (B23-261)

What does it say? The bill requires DC Health to establish an electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment registry (eMOST).

MSDC position: MSDC supports this legislation to more easily allow patients to make their treatment orders known.

Current status: A win for the physician community and our patients! The Council passed the bill in December and the Mayor signed it into law on January 16, 2020.

Healthy Beverage Choices Amendment Act (B23-495)

What does it say? The bill would implement a 1.5 cent per ounce tax on the distribution of "sugary" beverages. The money collected from the tax would establish a Healthy People, Healthy Places Open Spaces Grant Program.

MSDC position: MSDC sent a letter to Council Chair Mendelson asking for a hearing to discuss all of the issues around a beverage tax.

Current status: The bill was introduced October 8, 2019 and referred to the Committee on Business and Economic Development and the Committee of the Whole.