As public health emergency continues, Highmark extends coverage of COVID-19 treatment and telemedicine

Extension will allow members to receive needed care without cost-sharing through June 30

PITTSBURGH (March 3, 2020) – Highmark has announced that members who require in-network, inpatient hospital care for COVID-19 will not have to worry about paying cost-sharing  such as deductibles, coinsurance and copays through June 30, 2021. The health insurer had previously made the decision to waive cost-sharing for in-network, inpatient COVID-19 related hospital care through March 31, 2021.  Self-funded employer groups for which Highmark administers benefits may, however, opt-out of this waiver.

“Even though millions are getting vaccinated across the country, we are in a public health emergency and people are still being infected by COIVD,” said Deborah Rice-Johnson, President and Chief Growth Officer, Highmark Inc. “We recognize that our members are still going to need treatment for COVID-19, and we want to make sure that they won’t have to worry about copays or coinsurance through the middle of the year.” 

With today’s announcement, Highmark is also extending the waiver of cost-sharing for in-network telehealth visits through June 30.  As with COVID-19 treatment, self-funded employer groups for which Highmark administers benefits may also opt-out of this waiver.

Highmark’s Medicare Advantage members will also have no cost-sharing for telehealth visits in or out-of-network through June 30, 2021. Additionally, Medicare Advantage members will see no copays for COVID related hospital admissions for the duration of the public health emergency.

Highmark is also covering the cost of the COVID-19 vaccines, enabling its members to get vaccinated at no cost to them.

For more information, visit highmarkanswers.com.