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November 23, 2020

News about Employer Business

Virtual care coverage enhancements for fully insured group plans

Having access to virtual care coverage is vital to our members. Independence provides access to several virtual care options to ensure our members have the resources they need to remain safe as they address health care concerns.

Independence is pleased to announce that all 2 – 50 small group and 51+ large group plan members, regardless of plan design, will continue to have access to MDLIVE telemedicine services at no cost until the group’s 2021 renewal date.

In addition, Independence is making the following benefit updates:

  • All 51+ fully insured plan designs, including non‑standard and retired portfolio plans, will include MDLIVE telemedicine and telebehavioral health as a standard benefit, effective upon the group’s renewal beginning January 1, 2021.
  • For 51+ groups that did not have MDLIVE coverage prior to COVID‑19, MDLIVE telemedicine and telebehavioral services, as well as Magellan telebehavioral health services, will be covered at $0 cost share, effective upon renewal beginning January 1, 2021.
  • For 51+ groups with custom benefits that had MDLIVE coverage prior to COVID, MDLIVE telemedicine and telebehavioral services, as well as Magellan telebehavioral health services, will revert to their plan’s cost share upon renewal, beginning January 1, 2021.
  • Previously, cost sharing was waived for all PCP telemedicine visits. Effective January 1, 2021, cost‑sharing will be waived for the duration of the public health emergency only for COVID‑19 related telemedicine visits with network primary care physicians and behavioral health specialists. Members will pay their plan’s cost sharing for non COVID‑19 related telemedicine visits.

Large group 51+ standard portfolio plans
As previously announced, beginning January 1 upon each group’s renewal date, all 51+ standard portfolio plans will include MDLIVE telemedicine, telebehavioral health, and teledermatology virtual care services at $0 cost share. Magellan telebehavioral health and Penn Medicine OnDemand telemedicine benefits will also be covered at $0 cost share.

Small group 2 – 50 standard portfolio plans
As previously announced, beginning January 1 upon each group’s renewal date, all 2 – 50 standard portfolio plans will include MDLIVE telemedicine, telebehavioral health, and teledermatology and Magellan telebehavioral health virtual care services at $0 cost share.

Spending account members
As a result of the CARES Act, HSA‑qualified HDHPs cover MDLIVE and Magellan telemedicine services at $0 cost share, no deductible, without violating HSA eligibility requirements. The CARES Act provision covers plans through December 2021 renewals. We will assess 2022 renewal implications for HSA‑qualified plans at a later date.

Reminder: 2021 large and small group portfolios available
Fully insured customers do not need to take any action to have these additions made to their 2021 benefits. We invite you to refresh your knowledge of the 2021 Large group standard portfolio and 2021 Small group standard portfolio so you may better explain this and other portfolio enhancements available to your customers.

 
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Independence Blue Cross offers products through its subsidiaries Independence Hospital Indemnity Plan, Keystone Health Plan East and QCC Insurance Company, and with Highmark Blue Shield — independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.