[UCRDBR] All things COVID-19 Update

[Departmental Benefits Representatives]

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May 11, 2023

To:
Department Benefits Representatives
From:
Central HR Benefits Office on behalf of UC Office of the President
Re:
All things COVID-19 Update
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

DBRs, please share this very important information via your department listserv.

While the Federal Public Health Emergency (PHE)<https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/end-of-phe.html> will end on May 11, 2023, medical plans are mandated to cover COVID-19 tests, vaccines, and therapeutics for six additional months, through November 11, 2023, in accordance with the State of California's Senate Bill (SB) 1473<https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220SB1473>.  Self-funded plans are not required to comply with SB 1473.

Below are COVID-19 updates from our medical plans.  Updates are also highlighted on the Medical Plan Response to COVID grid<https://hr.ucr.edu/sites/default/files/2023-05/medical-plan-response-to-covid-5.23.pdf>.

At-Home OTC antigen test

*       UC PPO plans through Navitus, UC Blue and Gold and Kaiser Permanente will continue to cover antigen tests through November 11, 2023.

PCR test

*       UC PPO plans and UC Blue & Gold HMO will continue the cost-share waiver through November 11, 2023, for tests that are ordered by physicians (in-network and out-of-network).  As of November 12, 2023, the plans will continue the cost-waiver for tests that are ordered by in-network physicians until further notice.


*       Kaiser Permanente will continue to waive the cost-share through November 11, 2023.

Please note the Anthem Navitus website - which serves all Navitus clients, including those outside of California - lists the end date of coverage for OTC COVID antigen tests as May 15, 2023.  As noted above, for other UC medical plan members, these tests will be covered through November 11, 2023.

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