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Yesterday, CareFirst announced coverage and reimbursement changes related to COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment.

The changes come on the same day as the federal government opening up telemedicine practices to allow patients to connect more easily with physicians over video or audio for consultations.

The highlights of the CareFirst changes include:

• Coverage of COVID-19 testing and treatment with no cost-sharing.
• Eliminating prior auth requirements for COVID-19 related tests
• Waiving early medication refill limits on 30-day maintenance medications
• Waiving cost-sharing for in-network and out-of-network visits to a provider's office, lab fees, or treatments related to COVID-19
• Expansion of telemedicine primarily through CareFirst's proprietary product. For telemedicine using CareFirst Video Visits, cost sharing will be waived during the public health emergency. Other telemedicine services may subject patients to copays, coinsurance, or deductibles.

Read more here. MSDC is working with the District Insurance Commissioner, DC Health, and the Council to ensure payers equitably work with physicians and patients to remove all barriers to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19.