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March 11, 2020


Dear Amida Care Provider:
The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been dominating the news in the past few weeks. Amida Care wants to direct you to valid information about the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the New York State Department of Health are closely monitoring the outbreak. Amida Care has instituted the usage of CMS HCPCS coding to be utilized by laboratories to bill for certain COVID-19 diagnostic tests to help increase testing and track new cases: Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Fact Sheet Highlights

The New York State Department of Health issued a special edition of the Medicaid Update today, March 10, 2020, featuring New York State Medicaid Coverage and Reimbursement Policy for Services Related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19). This Medicaid Update can be found at: https://health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/program/update/2020/2020-03-10_covid-19.htm 
Amida Care is committed to ensuring our members receive care by in-network providers at no additional cost. We continue to inform our members of all available benefits and updates provided by the CDC. Currently, all COVID-19 tests conducted at New York State's Wadsworth Lab are fully covered. New Yorkers receiving Medicaid coverage will not be expected to pay a co-pay for any testing related to COVID-19.

Please read this new Governor’s Office COVID-19 directive for insurers, which specifically:

  • Prohibits health insurers from imposing cost-sharing on an in-network provider office visit or urgent care center when the purpose of the visit is to be tested for COVID-19.

  • Prohibits health insurers from imposing cost-sharing on an emergency room visit when the purpose of the visit is to be tested for COVID-19. 

The directive outlines a series of other actions that all health insurers should take to keep patients informed about available benefits.

Please feel free to contact Amida Care Provider Services at 1-800-556-0674 or providerservices@amidacareny.org if you require additional information or assistance. Other resources with the latest updates pertaining to the coronavirus are available here:

NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Information for Providers: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/providers/health-topics/novel-respiratory-viruses.page



You can also call New York’s direct Coronavirus hotline to speak with an expert about your questions or concerns at 1.888.364.3065.
Sincerely,

Dr. Jerry Ernst
Chief Medical Officer
Amida Care