On July 23, 2020, Alex Azar II, Secretary of Health and Human Services, renewed the declaration of the COVID-19 public health emergency for an additional 90-day period, through October 22, 2020.

As a result of this extension, Optum is extending the temporary telehealth service and reimbursement policies put in place to allow patients to more easily connect with their provider through audio/video visits during this emergency period.  Optum policies are consistent with the Notice of Enforcement Discretion from the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the Department of Health and Human Services.

Please visit the COVID-19 section of Provider Express for more detailed information about telehealth provisions and other COVID-19 updates.

Note: state and federal mandates, as well as self-insured customer benefit plan designs, may supersede the guidelines posted on Provider Express.