Important COVID-19 Testing and Vaccine Resources

It has been one year since the coronavirus engulfed the United States. In the early stages of the pandemic, COVID-19 testing became a key priority. Now, at the one-year mark, states across the country are in the early phases of vaccine rollout.

In 2020, the Families First Coronavirus Act (FFCRA) and CARES Act were passed to help address some of the financial- and health-related issues experienced by people in the United States. The legislation included provisions specific to COVID-19 testing and vaccination. During this time, IHF made access to coverage and COVID-19 resources to members a top priority. This article reviews these important provisions, and provides information on IHF’s response and resources for all members.

As amended by the CARES Act, FFCRA requires health plans to cover COVID-19 testing during the national health emergency period. First declared on Jan. 31, 2020, and retroactive to Jan. 27, 2020, the national health emergency period was extended for an additional 90 days on Jan. 21, 2021. Since the beginning of the national health emergency period, IHF has covered COVID-19 testing in full, leaving members with a $0 cost-share (no copayment, coinsurance or deductible) for medically appropriate COVID-19 testing when ordered by a physician or health care professional for purposes of diagnosis or treatment.

Now that vaccines are available, the CARES Act requires health plans to cover vaccine administration in full. Vaccines are critical to slowing the spread of COVID-19, and key to helping members and their families. Due to limited supply, vaccines are being rolled out in phases, with people at the highest risk receiving their injections first. IHF members can receive COVID-19 vaccines at no cost through the United Healthcare medical plan, as well as through the SavRx prescription benefit plan.

To help members during this uncertain time, UHC has rolled out a COVID-19 Vaccine Resource Locator Tool (https://covid19vaccinecenterlocator.uhc.com/cvcl). This important resource can help members across the country find COVID-19 resources in their area and help them take steps toward vaccination. The zip-code based tool finds online public vaccine resources available through state and local health departments, as well as national retail pharmacies. Additionally, pulled together from trusted sources, reliable and up-to-date vaccine information on cost, access and more is available to IHF members at www.UHC.com and www.myuhc.com.

For IHF, motivating members to act means sharing what they need to know and where to go. The important resources and information provided through these UHC tools will help members find key COVID-19 vaccine information, and help them to navigate when and where they can receive a vaccine.

The benefits referenced in this article are specific to IHF plan participants. For more information about your Local fund’s coverage of COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, contact your Local Fund Office. For additional information or other questions, IHF can be reached at 1-888-880-8222.