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- Aarp Medicare Advantage Waiving Copays Plans
- Waiving Medicare Deductibles And Copays
- Aetna Medicare Advantage Copay Waived
- Aarp Medicare Waiving Copays
AARP Medicare Supplement Plans will cover all cost-sharing, including Medicare Part B excess charges, for Medicare-eligible expenses for services related to COVID-19 treatment based on a confirmed positive diagnosis from February 4, 2020, until May 31, 2020. Providers sometimes waive patients' cost-sharing amounts (e.g., copays or deductibles) as an accommodation to the patient, professional courtesy, employee benefit, and/or a marketing ploy; however, doing so may violate fraud and abuse laws and/or payor contracts. From a payor's perspective, waiving cost-sharing amounts creates two problems.
Several private Medicare plan providers, including Cigna, Humana and Aetna, are waiving certain cost-sharing requirements for beneficiaries receiving treatment for COVID-19.
Published April 2, 2020
Follow our Medicare Coronavirus News page for related information on coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impact on Medicare beneficiaries.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) mandated in early March that all testing for COVID-19 be covered in full by Medicare and private Medicare insurance carriers. A COVID-19 vaccine will also be covered if and when one becomes available.
Now, some private insurance carriers are going a step further by eliminating cost-sharing for COVID-19 treatment protocols as well.
Cigna, Humana and Aetna have each taken measures to reduce out-of-pocket spending for their Medicare plan members who undergo treatment for the disease. These out-of-pocket costs can include plan deductibles, coinsurance and copayments.
COVID-19 treatment can potentially include inpatient hospital stays, doctor’s office appointments, inpatient skilled nursing facility stays, home health visits and emergency ambulance transportation.
These services can typically come with costs such as copays and deductibles.
With waived coinsurance and deductibles for COVID-19 treatment, savings can add up
Cigna and Humana both waived COVID-19-related cost-sharing for their Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plans.
Medicare Advantage plans cover the same inpatient and outpatient services and items that are covered by Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B).
While Original Medicare is provided by the federal government, private insurance companies administer Medicare Advantage plans.
Some of the out-of-pocket costs that a beneficiary who has Original Medicare may face if they receive covered COVID-19 treatment include:
- Beneficiaries who have Original Medicare and who receive inpatient hospital treatment for COVID-19 will typically have to pay the 2020 Medicare Part A deductible of $1,408 for each benefit period that they receive inpatient care.
There are also Part A daily coinsurance costs for lengthy hospital stays that last longer than 60 days. - Beneficiaries who have Original Medicare and who receive outpatient care must pay the 2020 Part B deductible of $198 per year before Medicare covers the costs of their outpatient care.
After meeting the Part B deductible, beneficiaries typically pay a 20 percent coinsurance or copay for covered services and items.
For members of Medicare Advantage plans from Cigna and Humana, however, those costs will be waived for covered COVID-19 treatment.
“Our customers with COVID-19 should focus on fighting this virus and preventing its spread,” David M. Cordani, President and CEO of Cigna1
Aarp Medicare Advantage Waiving Copays Plans
“While our customers focus on regaining their health, we have their backs,” David Cordani, President and CEO of Cigna, said in a statement.
Cigna’s cost-sharing waiver expires May 31, 2020.
“We know we’re uniquely positioned to help our members during this unprecedented health crisis,” said Bruce Broussard, President and CEO of Humana. “It’s why we’re taking this significant action to help ease the burden on seniors and others who are struggling right now.”2
Humana’s waivers includes costs related to COVID-19 treatment by both in-network and out-of-network facilities or physicians.
Humana’s cost sharing waivers currently have no end date, as the company plans to readdress the situation as needed.
Aetna, a CVS Health company, is also dismissing COVID-19-related inpatient cost-sharing for its members.
“The additional steps we’re announcing today are consistent with our commitment to delivering timely and seamless access to care as we navigate the spread of COVID-19,” said Karen S. Lynch, president of Aetna Business Unit. “We are doing everything we can to make sure our members have simple and affordable access to the treatment they need as we face the pandemic together.”3
Waiving Medicare Deductibles And Copays
Aetna’s cost-sharing waiver for inpatient admissions to any in-network facility for treatment of COVID-19 is currently in effect until June 1, 2020.
Aetna Medicare Advantage Copay Waived
Eliminating copays makes it easier for seniors to get the care they need.
DURHAM, N.C. –Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) announced today it is waiving all copays for in-network primary care and outpatient behavioral health visits for Medicare Advantage members from June 1 through the end of 2020. Visits do not have to be related to COVID-19 and can be done in person or virtually through telehealth. This measure benefits Blue Cross NC’s nearly 69,000 Medicare Advantage members. All copays for in-network primary care and outpatient behavioral health visits will be waived in full when not already $0 through a member’s health plan.
The move represents Blue Cross NC’s commitment to help members prepare, stay healthy, and get the care they need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Blue Cross NC is committed to doing all we can to best serve our members during this public health crisis,” said Rahul Rajkumar, chief medical officer at Blue Cross NC. “By eliminating these copays, we hope that it will make it easier, and encourage our senior members to get the care they need.”
The copay waiver is specific to the primary care medical visit or behavioral health therapy visit. Members may have costs for other services unless they are related to COVID-19 treatment or testing.
Blue Cross NC has already taken significant actions to help members during this public health crisis, including waiving cost-sharing for testing and treatment related to COVID-19, expanding virtual care coverage, and increasing access to medication. In addition, Blue Cross NC has taken multiple steps to make things easier for providers by speeding payments and removing barriers to care.
The COVID-19 crisis is requiring everyone in the health care community to work together and do their part. Blue Cross NC will continue responding to this crisis to best serve its members and support doctors, nurses and hospitals. You can find more information at BlueCrossNC.com/Coronavirus.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina:
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) is committed to making health care better, simpler and more affordable. We have been driving better health in North Carolina since 1933, working to tackle our communities’ greatest health challenges. Blue Cross NC serves its customers and communities of more than 3.8 million members, including approximately 1.1 million on behalf of other Blue Plans. Blue Cross NC is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Visit Blue Cross NC online at www.bluecrossnc.com. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
The move represents Blue Cross NC’s commitment to help members prepare, stay healthy, and get the care they need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Blue Cross NC is committed to doing all we can to best serve our members during this public health crisis,” said Rahul Rajkumar, chief medical officer at Blue Cross NC. “By eliminating these copays, we hope that it will make it easier, and encourage our senior members to get the care they need.”
The copay waiver is specific to the primary care medical visit or behavioral health therapy visit. Members may have costs for other services unless they are related to COVID-19 treatment or testing.
Blue Cross NC has already taken significant actions to help members during this public health crisis, including waiving cost-sharing for testing and treatment related to COVID-19, expanding virtual care coverage, and increasing access to medication. In addition, Blue Cross NC has taken multiple steps to make things easier for providers by speeding payments and removing barriers to care.
The COVID-19 crisis is requiring everyone in the health care community to work together and do their part. Blue Cross NC will continue responding to this crisis to best serve its members and support doctors, nurses and hospitals. You can find more information at BlueCrossNC.com/Coronavirus.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina:
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) is committed to making health care better, simpler and more affordable. We have been driving better health in North Carolina since 1933, working to tackle our communities’ greatest health challenges. Blue Cross NC serves its customers and communities of more than 3.8 million members, including approximately 1.1 million on behalf of other Blue Plans. Blue Cross NC is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Visit Blue Cross NC online at www.bluecrossnc.com. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
Aarp Medicare Waiving Copays
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