Cigna, Humana Eliminate Coronavirus Treatment Out-Of-Pocket Costs

Cigna and Humana have announced they are waiving all cost-sharing for coronavirus-related treatment to reduce or entirely eliminate out-of-pocket costs.

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The major payers add to a growing movement of payers seeking to make coronavirus treatment affordable and help members avoid facing surprise billing scenarios in the wake of the pandemic.

Coronavirus treatment has been estimated to cost over $1,300 for those with employer-sponsored health plans.

Cigna is waiving cost-sharing for employer-sponsored health plans as well as union-sponsored plans, Medicare Advantage plans, and individual and family plans. Members of self-insured group health insurance plans may have access to the waiver, but employers for these plans have the ability to opt-out.

"Our customers with COVID-19 should focus on fighting this virus and preventing its spread," said David M. Cordani, president and chief executive officer of Cigna. "While our customers focus on regaining their health, we have their backs. Our teams of experts are working around the clock to support front line health care workers, increase flexibility for hospitals, and deliver greater peace of mind to those we serve."

Eligible members can be in the US or “US based globally mobile” customers.

To know what would be covered under Cigna’s waiver, the statement referred to Medicare’s waivers for more details on what treatments would be covered and on provider compensation.

Medicare currently covers outpatient services under Part B and inpatient services under Part A, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation article. Covered treatments include, but are not limited to, skilled nursing facility stays, some home health visits, provider visits, and emergency ambulance transportation. Medicare is also required to cover the coronavirus vaccine, when one becomes available, with no cost-sharing.

The Cigna waiver lasts through May 31, 2020, as of this article’s publication date.

Cigna paired this statement with the announcement that it would be bolstering its telehealth teams that work with MDLIVE. In so doing, the payer joins numerous other payers in relying on its telehealth assets to improve access to care during this crisis. Cigna’s telehealth solution includes behavioral healthcare specialists who staff a coronavirus-specific support line.

Cigna is also using a platform powered by artificial intelligence to help patients determine their risk for contracting coronavirus and how they can best protect themselves or seek medical care. The current crisis could fuel innovation amongst artificial intelligence platforms, as Katherine Andriole expressed in episode 11 of the Healthcare Strategies podcast.

Similarly, Humana has waived its coronavirus-related treatment costs.

“We know we’re uniquely positioned to help our members during this unprecedented health crisis,” said Bruce Broussard, president and chief executive officer of Humana. “It’s why we’re taking this significant action to help ease the burden on seniors and others who are struggling right now. No American should be concerned about the cost of care when being treated for coronavirus.”

Although Broussard’s statement calls out senior populations specifically, the reach of this waiver goes beyond a single generation to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare spending for members across the company. Humana waived the costs for Medicare Advantage plans, commercially insured members, and Medicare supplement as well as Medicaid beneficiaries.

The waiver covers all treatment for coronavirus, both in- and out-of-network. It has no defined end date, as the payer pledged to continue reassessing the situation.

When the healthcare payers’ move was mentioned in a press briefing, the president—who has been coordinating with major payers including Humana and Cigna—indicated no knowledge of other payers who would be following suit. However, CVS Health’s Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, and CareFirst announced their decision to do so before Cigna and Humana.