[UCRDBR] February Update – At-Home Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests

[Departmental Benefits Representatives]

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February 16, 2022

To:
Department Benefit Representatives
From:
HR Benefits Office on behalf of UC Office of the President
Re:
February Update – At-Home Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests
UCOP received additional information to follow-up on the previously-sent communication<https://hr.ucr.edu/benefits-announcement-news/2022/01/27/update-home-over-counter-covid-19-tests> dated January 27, 2022. On February 3, 2022, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced in their website that the Biden-Harris Administration is working on a new initiative to provide coverage for at-home OTC COVID-19 tests for Medicare enrollees in early Spring 2022. For additional information, please review the Biden-Harris Administration Will Cover Free Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests Through Medicare | CMS<https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/news-alert/biden-harris-administration-will-cover-free-over-counter-covid-19-tests-through-medicare> and the COVID-19 Over-the-Counter (OTC) Tests & Medicare Frequently Asked Questions<https://www.cms.gov/files/document/covid-19-over-counter-otc-tests-medicare-frequently-asked-questions.pdf>.

We are providing an updated chart – Health Plan Guidelines - At-Home Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests<https://hr.ucr.edu/document/health-plan-guideline-home-over-counter-covid-test> that addresses the changes on how each health plan will administer the new requirement and guidance for At-Home Over-the-Counter (OTC) COVID-19 tests that were approved by the Federal and Drug Administration. Those changes include:

·       Health Net has updated their stance and will provide direct coverage for at-home OTC COVID-19 tests with an effective date of January 15, 2022.

·       Kaiser Permanente confirmed that they are not providing direct coverage at this time.

·       UnitedHealthcare will provide more information in early Spring 2022 for at-home OTC COVID-19 test coverage after further Federal guidance is available.

·       One notable clarification is that plans are required to cover up to 8 free at-home OTC COVID-19 tests per individual per 30-day period (previously reported as per month).

The Business Group on Health has also provided Updated Guidance on OTC COVID-19 Testing Coverage<https://o365ucr.sharepoint.com/sites/HumanResources/Shared%20Documents/Communications/Scotmails/Scotmail%20Archive/FY22/Updated%20Guidance%20on%20OTC%20COVID-19%20Testing%20Coverage>.

For questions, members should call the phone numbers that are listed on their medical or prescription cards.

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