Extending end dates
As previously announced, our interim COVID-19 coverage guidelines were set to expire on July 31, 2020. To further help ensure providers can continue to deliver care how and where patients want it, we are again extending our interim coverage guidelines, as follows:

• Virtual care and eConsult guidelines are extended until December 31, 2020.
• Cost-share waivers for COVID-19 related testing and treatment are extended until October 31, 2020.
• Other accommodations (e.g., administrative relief policies) are extended until October 31, 2020.

Understanding the continued importance of virtual care
As the role of virtual care (i.e., telehealth) has become a critical tool to provide access to safe and timely care, we believe extending our interim virtual care and eConsults guidelines through December 31, 2020 is an essential step to encourage continued wellness and chronic care visits by our customers.

Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that virtual care has expanded importance and is an effective tool to deliver clinically appropriate services. Because of this, we are actively working on a future-state permanent virtual care solution that we hope will seamlessly allow customers to continue to receive coverage for quality care in a virtual setting while ensuring that providers can be fairly reimbursed for the necessary services they deliver virtually. More information about this policy will be shared in the coming months. For now, our interim COVID-19 virtual care guidelines will remain in effect until at least December 31, 2020.

New COVID-19: In Vitro Diagnostic Testing coverage policy
To provide further information on our coverage of COVID-19 tests, we have published a COVID-19: In Vitro Diagnostic Testing coverage policy, which is effective August 1, 2020. This policy supplements our interim guidelines and offers additional clarity and details about how we cover medically necessary diagnostic COVID-19 tests.

Thank you again for the quality care you provide and for all that you’re doing to help our customers and your community.