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Important COVID-19 Update

To Our Valued Clients and Partners

We hope that this message finds you, your employees and your families healthy and safe. There are many uncertainties and challenges ahead for our community and businesses. We are thankful for our ongoing partnership with you. It is at times like these when true partnerships are illuminated and more meaningful than ever.

We have committed to provide you with a weekly update related to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak. In today’s message we will discuss:
  • The federal stimulus package signed into law on Wednesday (3/18/20) and what it means for self-funded employers.
  • Updates on telehealth / telemedicine coverage.
  • How to get support from HMA if you have questions regarding changes to eligibility rules, COBRA or funding.

Federal Stimulus
On Wednesday, the President signed a new federal stimulus package into law. The new law requires that self-funded employers cover COVID-19 testing without member cost-share starting on 3/18/2020 and continuing through the end of the National Emergency Declaration period or 12/31/2020. These dates remain subject to change given the unprecedented and fluid nature of the pandemic. Many customers have already initiated plan changes to align with State OIC mandates on COVID-19 testing and coverage. HMA will handle plan changes associated with the federal rules as follows:
Status
Handling
If you have already returned a benefit change form to us, and (1) have selected “yes” to covering COVID-19 testing without member cost-share, and (2) indicated that the change will be kept in place through the remainder of the plan year…
… Then HMA will proceed with sending you an amendment with a 2/4/2020 effective date in accordance with the benefit change form. All that is needed from you is a signature on the amendment once it is delivered to you.
If you have already returned a benefit change form to us, and (1) have selected “yes” to covering COVID-19 testing without member cost-share, and (2) indicated that the change will be kept in place for a more limited period (such as 5/4/2020, the date indicated in the WA OIC notice)…
… Then HMA will proceed with sending you an amendment with a 2/4/2020 effective date in accordance with the benefit change form. The amendment we will send you will have an end date of the end of the calendar year or until the National State of Emergency is lifted. 
If you have returned a benefit change form and selected to not cover COVID-19 testing in full…
…Then your Account Manager will contact you to discuss options to comply with Federal regulations.
If you have not requested a benefit change form…
…Then HMA will send you a benefit change form so you can initiate the changes required by law. The minimum requirement is to cover COVID-19 testing without cost-sharing starting on 3/18/2020.  Once the benefit change form is signed, HMA will send you a plan amendment with a 3/18/2020 effective date. The amendment will have an end date of the end of the calendar year or until the National State of Emergency is lifted.
Telehealth / Telemedicine
Some customers have already reached out to us to add telehealth to their benefits so members can access healthcare services without visiting a brick and mortar location. If you would like to add an option for telemedicine via community providers, we can make that change to your plan design immediately. This change is included as an option in the benefit change form to capture plan changes associated with COVID-19 testing and treatment.
 
If you would like to add telehealth service via our MDLIVE telehealth product, we can also make that change. You can indicate your interest in MDLIVE on the COVID-19 Benefit Change Request Form and we will send you a separate form to confirm your MDLIVE coverage preference. Adding MDLIVE services will likely take 15-30 days for MDLIVE to be set up. Please be aware that wait times are longer than usual due to the high volume of calls MDLIVE & all telehealth vendors in the market are currently receiving. Members can choose to schedule an appointment at a later time, or may need to wait 3-5 hours to be seen. MDLIVE is actively working to increase their capacity to support the surge in volumes. Please note, at this time, MDLIVE cannot order a COVID-19 diagnostic test.

Other Support
We know that many of you will have questions about eligibility, leaves of absences, and COBRA. Our Account Management team is available to assist you with all of your service needs. Now more than ever, feel free to send questions to them. They will pull in any needed resources – whether from our Compliance experts, our Finance team or our Operational leaders – to make sure we answer your questions quickly and completely.

We’re Here for You
Thank you for your continued trust in our organization. Our focus, dedication, and support are unwavering as we navigate these unique times. We hope you and your loved ones remain safe and healthy. Please reach out to your Account Manager if you have any questions or if there's anything we can do to help.

Thank you,

Lindsay Harris
Chief Growth Officer 
HMA - Proving What’s Possible in Healthcare ®