The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has released information on the responsibilities of the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Plans under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). This information is covered in FEHB Carrier letters 2020-02 and 2020-08.
Highlights are below:
- All FEHB plans must provide coverage, waive cost-sharing (including deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance), and waive prior authorization or other medical management requirements for:
- Testing for SARS-CoV-2 or the diagnosis of COVID-19, as well as serological testing to detect the presence of antibodies against the virus; and
- The office visit related to such testing.
- In addition, when preventive services or vaccines for the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 become available, FEHB plans must cover them, without any cost-sharing, as soon as possible after approval, clearance, or authorization.
- With respect to telehealth:
- OPM urges all plans who have not already done so to strongly consider waiving cost-sharing (including deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance) for telehealth or other remote care services associated with treatment of COVID-19.
- In addition, plans that offer a Health Savings Account (HSA)-qualified high deductible health plan (HDHP) may offer telehealth and other remote care services in their HDHP before the deductible.
For specific questions about your health plan’s coverage, contact the plan at the number on the back of your health ID card.