Eight Republican U.S. senators are pressing Heath and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar to correct “guidance” regarding insurance requirements with respect to testing for the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
The senators, Rick Scott of Florida, Joni Ernst of Iowa, David Perdue of Georgia, James Lankford of Oklahoma, Ben Sasse of Nebraska, Martha McSally of Arizona, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, and Kevin Cramer of North Dakota wrote Azar on Oct. 30 saying a document issued June 23 by the federal departments of Labor, Treasury, and HHS has caused “confusion” as to what is covered.
“Unfortunately, it has come to our attention that changes made in a recent triagency guidance published on June 23, 2020, have created some confusion regarding coverage requirements for COVID-19 testing,” they wrote. “In recent weeks, we have been made aware of increasing coverage denials from health plans for COVID-19 testing, particularly for asymptomatic individuals.”
The senators said the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security – or CARES – Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump on March 27, guaranteed “that individuals can receive COVID-19 tests without out-of-pocket costs.”
The senators did not specify which insurance companies were denying coverage.
“We respectfully ask you to update the tri-agency guidance to clarify that individuals who need a test can receive one without cost-sharing, medical management, or prior authorization, and regardless of whether the individual is symptomatic,” the eight wrote.
More than 100 million tests for the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 have been performed in the United States since the outbreak began earlier this year, the Epoch Times reported.
The testing is critical, the senators suggested, because of many employers which require proof of a negative test to return to work.
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