We all know this is a critical time for our country. To help overcome COVID-19, health insurance providers are taking decisive action, from waiving fees for testing and treatment to expanding access to telehealth benefits so that members can receive care and manage chronic conditions from the safety of their homes.
Each day, health insurance providers work closely with their members and health care professionals to ensure that patients get the care they need, when they need it. During these extraordinary times, health insurance providers are also reaching out to support the dedicated health care heroes protecting us on the front lines. Here are a few examples of how:
- Aetna, a CVS Health company, is streamlining its provider credentialing process so there can be more health care professionals caring for patients. Aetna is also paying the amount of the cost-sharing members would have ordinarily paid related to COVID-19 testing or inpatient treatment so there is no financial impact on the provider.
- Aflac has contributed $5 million to two organizations that work to protect health care workers—Global Center for Medical Innovation, which is using 3D printing to address shortages of medical devices, including ventilators and protective masks, and Direct Relief, which provides PPE and other essential items to health care workers.
- Anthem has launched the Anthem Medical Associate Volunteer Program, which is designed to allow associates with professional medical training to volunteer and assist in their local community’s response to COVID-19.
- Blue Shield of California is providing millions of dollars in financial assistance to providers, as well as streamlining clinical reviews and some prior authorization requirements.
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShieldis offering a new accelerated payment program to providers experiencing financial strain due to COVID-19. CareFirst’s combined provider-focused efforts will result in over $170 million in direct support of the healthcare delivery system during the pandemic.
- Centene is offering help for providers in need of assistance such as loans, paycheck protection, or grants from the Small Business Administration as part of the COVID-19 relief package.
- Cigna announced that the Cigna Foundation and New York Life Foundation have partnered to launch the Brave of Heart Fund to help the spouses, domestic partners, children, and parents of the frontline healthcare workers who gave their lives in the fight against COVID-19.
- Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey is donating personal protection equipment (PPE) including N95 masks and face shields to the state’s coordinated response effort, in addition to donating to food banks and social services that will assist those impacted.
- Humana is working to expedite payments to providers by suspending some prior authorization requirements and simplifying claims processing.
- In Los Angeles Kaiser Permanente has partnered with other nonprofits, and state and local government to open a temporary hospital to increase the number of beds and ICU capacity to accommodate the influx of COVID-19 patients.
- L.A. Health Care Plan is providing grants to providers and community partners to increase capacity and care for their most vulnerable members. They are also accelerating claims payments to ease financial pressure on providers.
- Molina of Ohio is also funding PPE, COVID-19 test kits and more to help protect the health care workers on the front lines, while also increasing access to telemedicine and home delivery of prescriptions for members.
The health care community is engaged on all fronts to overcome the COVID-19 crisis– taking steps to prevent the spread of the disease, test those at risk, and treat people who become ill. Health insurance providers are using all the tools at their disposal to support members and the providers who care for them. To read more about the work health insurance providers are doing to protect Americans, read on.