Anthem Releases Multiple Updates Regarding COVID-19

Anthem recently released the following information regarding COVID-19…

Who Should Be Tested for COVID-19?

The Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) advises that only certain people should be tested for COVID-19. They recommend viral testing for a current infection when:

• A healthcare professional or local or state health department recommends testing.
• COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, or new loss of taste or smell are present.
• Someone has close contact (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more) with someone confirmed to have COVID-19.

Any Anthem member considering COVID-19 testing should notify their doctor or telehealth program first. Their doctor can help evaluate their risk and decide if testing is needed. Remember, members will have no out-of-pocket costs to worry about when their doctor evaluates their symptoms and orders COVID-19 testing.

If their doctor recommends testing, the member can use Anthem’s COVID-19 Test Site Finder tool to find nearby testing locations.

Register for Anthem’s Vaccines Webinar on January 12

Anthem is offering another opportunity to learn about important topics for your business.

Please join leaders from across Anthem at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 12, 2021, as they share the latest information on COVID-19, including clinical updates with a focus on vaccines.

Register here and save the event to your calendar.

This is a streamed event only. There will be no dial-in option.

Anthem Extends Health Plan Timeframes During COVID-19 Emergency

In response to the national COVID-19 emergency, Anthem is giving your clients more time to enroll in a health plan, file and appeal claims, elect COBRA continuation coverage, and pay COBRA premiums.

U.S. Department of Labor guidance effective March 1, 2020, remains in effect, suspending key timeframes until 60 days after the federal government declares the end of the national emergency or outbreak period in your area, whichever is later.

This applies to Fully Insured and self-funded ERISA employer-sponsored plans only.

Anthem is extending timeframes to make it easier for employees to:

• Take advantage of special enrollment if they previously declined employer-sponsored coverage but would now like to enroll.
• Elect COBRA continuation coverage if they lose their job or their work hours are reduced.
• Pay COBRA premiums.
• File or appeal claims.
• Notify their plan of qualifying life events such as marriage, divorce, birth of a baby or adoption, or disability determination related to COBRA coverage.

Anthem developed a letter you can share with your clients to explain the extended timeframes.

 

Contact your Cornerstone representative with any questions you may have.