Dear Colleagues:

Penn’s insurance carriers, Independence (Blue Cross), Aetna, CVS Caremark, Keystone (IBC), and Penn Medicine’s Connected Health Virtual Care Telemedicine Practice are all closely monitoring the COVID-19 virus (Coronavirus) situation. They are committed to making sure that our participants can receive appropriate testing and treatment for this virus if needed.

Here is an overview of the enhancements Penn’s insurance carriers have made to our plans to improve access for members. This information is also available at the Penn Health Plans and COVID-19 web page at https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay/health-life-and-fsa/penn-health-insurance-and-covid-19

Testing will be covered. During this public health crisis, Independence and Aetna will cover the COVID-19 test as a preventive service and waive cost sharing (such as co-pays and coinsurance) for the test when performed at a hospital or an approved laboratory. This applies to all Penn plans: PennCare PPO, Aetna POS II, Keystone/AmeriHealth Health Plan, Aetna HDHP and Aetna POS Standard.

Treatment will be covered. At this time, there is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for COVID-19. Members should receive care from their doctor to help relieve symptoms as they would other viral respiratory infections. Independence and Aetna will continue to cover medically necessary health care costs to treat infectious diseases, including COVID-19, based on the terms of the member’s insurance plan.

Telemedicine is available. OnDemand (215-615-2222). In an effort to reduce potential exposure, the carriers and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are recommending the use of Telemedicine services. You may access Penn Medicine’s Virtual Care Telemedicine Practice Connecting Penn Medicine employees and University employees with Penn Medicine providers, 24/7/365. The highlights of eligibility are below:

• Open to the public, any patient with any insurance plan, normally a $49 fee-for-service. This fee will be waived under Penn Medicine’s COVID-19 community health initiative for anyone who works on Penn Medicine campuses, regardless of their insurance plan, including University faculty and staff. This applies to all Penn plans, PennCare PPO, Aetna POS II, Keystone/AmeriHealth Health Plan, Aetna HDHP and Aetna POS Standard.
• Patients 14 years or older who are located in PA, NJ, DE, MD. For patients under 14, parents or guardians are urged to contact the child’s healthcare provider.
• Practice is staffed by full-time CRNPs.
• Provides medical advice, short-term care prescriptions, and scheduling collaboration with Penn Medicine primary care teams.
• Connect via PennChart’s audio-video “facetime” technology using the MyPennMedicine (MPM) app, downloaded from the Apple or Google store.
• Self-schedule 20-minute virtual appointments via MPM or call us for help downloading the MPM app.
• Visit us at www.PennMedicine.org/OnDemand

CVS/Caremark. CVS Health is taking steps to address the outbreak and protect member access to medication. The latest steps we are taking will help ensure patients of all ages have every option available to them when it comes to filling prescriptions. As long as COVID-19 continues to pose a threat, CVS will maintain a relentless focus on how best to serve you and your family members.

Encourage Members to Refill Maintenance Medications. We know that access to needed medication is important to you and your family members during the uncertainty caused by COVID-19. We strongly recommend you take action and refill any needed medications for yourself or a family member, who have long-term maintenance medications with a 90-day supply, or up to your plan’s maximum quantity.  Contact your pharmacist with how to obtain a 90- day supply if desired. Under the Penn plans you may obtain a 90-day prescription refill benefit for maintenance medications and the option of home delivery from CVS Caremark Mail Service pharmacy or from a local CVS store.

Relaxing Refill Restrictions. CVS Caremark is waiving early refill limits on 30-day prescriptions for maintenance medications at any in-network pharmacy. Relaxing refill-too-soon limitations allows members to fill maintenance medication prescriptions ahead of their normal fill schedule to ensure members are able to maintain an adequate supply of medication on hand.

Free Home Delivery from CVS Pharmacy. Beginning immediately, CVS Pharmacy will waive charges for home delivery of all prescription medications. With the CDC encouraging people at higher risk for COVID-19 complications to stay at home as much as possible, this is a convenient option to avoid coming to the pharmacy for refills or new prescriptions. This includes mail order and home delivery via your local CVS pharmacy.

If you have any questions about the enhancements, please contact the Penn Benefits Solution Center at Health Advocate at 1 (866) 799-2329.

—Division of Human Resources