The National Emergency Has Ended: What Plan Sponsors Should Know
The COVID-19 National Emergency Has Ended as of April 10, 2023
The executive administration signed a resolution on April 10, 2023, to immediately end the COVID-19 National Emergency. This emergency was originally intended to end on May 11, 2023. The ending of the National Emergency Period ONLY affects extended benefit deadlines associated with group health plans.
The swift conclusion to the COVID-19 National Emergency brought uncertainty around the outbreak period that would affect certain employee benefit deadlines including COBRA coverage and HIPAA special enrollment timeframes.
The new outbreak period will now end on June 9, 2023 (60 days after April 10, 2023).
To see examples of how some of these extended benefits deadlines will work with the newly confirmed outbreak date, check out our example calendar here!
It’s important to note that The National Emergency’s abrupt ending and confirmed Outbreak Period DOES NOT affect the COVID-19 vaccine / testing changes associated with the Public Health Emergency that ends on May 11, 2023. Read on for more information on the end of the Public Health Emergency.
As the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency comes to an end, the following changes regarding vaccines and testing will occur:
IN-NETWORK COVERAGE
COVID-19 vaccines and boosters administered by healthcare providers will remain covered as a preventive care service
COVID-19 testing ordered by a medical professional, medical treatment for Covid-19, and medication prescribed by a healthcare professional to treat COVID-19 will be considered a cost share based standard benefit under a member’s medical plan
OUT-OF-NETWORK CONDITIONS
All COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, COVID-19 testing ordered by a medical professional, COVID-19 medical treatment, and COVID-19 treatment medication obtained through an out-of-network provider will NOT be covered as a standard medical benefit.
OVER-THE-COUNTER TESTING
After May 11, 2023, over the counter COVID-19 testing will no longer be covered under a member’s medical benefits but can be purchased through a participating member’s HSA or FSA.
Looking for more detailed information? Check out the information released by each carrier.
ANTHEM - At this time, Anthem has not released their policies surrounding changes to COVID-19 related coverage. We will keep you updated as we receive more information.
For Self-Insured and Hybrid Self-funded Groups
Self-Insured and hybrid self-funded group health plan sponsors are no longer required to provide cost-free COVID-19 vaccines, boosters, and testing after May 11, 2023. These group health plan sponsors can continue to offer these services at no or low-cost but are no longer lawfully required to do so.