Does your health insurance cover COVID-19

Most Americans who have been diagnosed with coronavirus infection are on home treatment. But 15% of patients need hospitalization, and this will require a lot of money. And although many insurance companies do pay these costs, it is important to know all the nuances in order to avoid unpleasant surprises, writes CBS News.

Photo: Shutterstock

Coronavirus testing

Each medical insurance plan in the country should cover 100% of the cost of testing for coronavirus, as well as emergency medical services and visits to a therapist, which were the result of a diagnosed illness.

Comprehensive health insurance plans are individual programs whose costs are covered by the employer or those who meet the requirements of the Health Care Accessibility Act. If at work you are registered as a contractor or employee with a short-term contract, then your insurance may not cover the treatment for coronavirus.

On the subject: Coronavirus antibody test: why do you need to do it

It is also important to know that according to the CARES law adopted to assist and implement economic security measures in connection with the coronavirus pandemic, the insurance service is also required to pay for the test for the presence of antibodies to coronavirus. As part of such a study, the blood is checked for the presence of special proteins that can show whether a person has been attacked by a single virus.

However, many scientists and medical professionals doubt the quality of such a study and whether patient confidentiality will be properly maintained.

In any case, Medicaid will cover the full cost of conducting a coronavirus test according to CARES law.

Surcharge for treatment and insurance

Many insurance companies, including Aetna, Cigna and Humana, refused to charge customers extra money for any type of coronavirus treatment, in particular hospital stays. This decision is governed by America's Health Insurance Plans.

In most cases, insurance only covers patient stays at partner health facilities. But some insurance companies, such as AllWays Health Partners, pay for treatment in all hospitals in the country. This is especially important in this situation, when patients from regions that are particularly affected by coronavirus can be referred for treatment to institutions that are not partners of a separate insurance company. It is important to note that some insurance companies have limited the duration of this format. For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield will cover all costs of a coronavirus patient in any hospital, but only until the end of May. Others, such as CareFirst, provide their clients with full coverage from coronavirus for an unlimited period.

However, not every insurance company is ready to cover all the expenses of a client sick with coronavirus. This also applies to employee health insurance plans that pay for their own insurance—they do not always fully cover such treatment.

Given all these circumstances, you should contact your insurance provider directly and find out all the details of your plan and what the action algorithm will be if you need treatment for coronavirus.

On the subject: Long, scary and painful: COVID-19 treatment lasts almost a month

If you still get coronavirus and are undergoing treatment, it is important to carefully monitor which tests, procedures, and drugs are prescribed for you. This is not easy for a person who is already in a difficult physical and moral state during an illness. But this is critically important in order to avoid an unpleasant surprise when you receive a bill for treatment and find out that some of its points, your insurance simply did not cover. Maybe you should consider signing a permit so that in the event of a serious illness or isolation, someone close to you can make decisions and communicate with doctors on your behalf.

Medicare

Medicare Part A (hospitalization insurance) helps pay for hospitalized patients at the hospital or at a skilled nursing facility (after you leave the hospital).

People who are 65 years of age or older who are US citizens or legal permanent residents are eligible for Medicare (Part A).

All eligible for Medicare free hospital insurance (Part A) can get health insurance (Part B) by paying a monthly fee.

COVID-19 treatment: what are artificial lung ventilation apparatuses needed for and how do they work

Part B helps pay for doctors and other specialists, ambulatory care, home health care, durable medical equipment, and some preventative services.

In a pandemic situation, Parts A and B will pay for your hospital stay and treatment. So, for part A, the cost of a hospital stay of up to 60 days is $ 1; Part B will cover the $ 408 treatment cost.

On the subject: Tens of thousands of dollars: how much will COVID-19 treatment cost Americans

Many of the first to get Medicare insurance also have Medigap supplemental insurance. Most Medigap items must cover withheld copayments and other expenses related to COVID-19.

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, which is private insurance covering Medicare Part A and Part B (and often the cost of prescription drugs), your coronavirus cost will depend on your plan. Again, many insurers report that they do not refuse to cover the costs of testing and treating coronavirus.

Medicare Advantage plans almost always leverage their partner network to lower customer treatment costs. The government now requires Medicare Advantage plans to cover treatment also at facilities outside the insurance partner network if they accept Medicare payments.

What to do if you do not have insurance

According to the public organization Kaiser Family Foundation, the cost of inpatient treatment of patients with coronavirus who do not have insurance ranges from 14 to 42 billion dollars for the entire pandemic.

On the subject: How to get health insurance if you lose your job due to coronavirus

In total, the Trump government has allocated $ 100 billion to fight the pandemic, but so far not enough data has been published to assess how these funds are spent.

People who have been unemployed due to coronavirus may be faced with the fact that their insurance package has been cut. This is especially true in states where Medicaid coverage is less common.

New rules for holders of medical and flexible spending accounts

The good news is for those who have a funded medical billing account or a flexible expense account associated with a high-cost health plan that allows you to pay for treatment without tax deductions.

In accordance with the CARES Act, the list of medical expenses has been expanded to include over-the-counter medicines, feminine hygiene products and distance treatment, including online mental health counseling.

During the quarantine period, when a trip to the doctor may not be possible, remote consultation with a specialist can help solve many problems.

As ForumDaily wrote earlier:

• COVID-19 treatment: what are they for and how do they work mechanical ventilation apparatus
• Tests confirmed COVID-19 in papaya and goat: Who denies poor quality tests
• Active up to 3 months: scientists have developed a unique disinfectant
• 2 months on mechanical ventilation: a resident of Colorado spoke about severe fight against coronavirus

Read also on ForumDaily:

Smartphones will warn of the risk of coronavirus infection: how it works

Is it worth refinancing a mortgage during a pandemic: expert advice

Coronavirus mortality forecasts are on the rise, but states are loosening quarantine

Profitable shopping: goods worth buying in May

What Americans spend money on and what they do during quarantine

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.