Virtual Visit Cost Share Waived!
Wellmark and UnitedHealthcare have released statements advising they are waiving all costs to members to use telehealth/virtual visit for the time being.
This is to help combat the continuing spread of the COVID-19 virus by helping people get help in an affordable and timely way while also keeping them home.
From Wellmark
Effective March 16, 2020, all Wellmark members will have access to virtual health care visits with no cost-share. To avoid the spread of COVID-19, we encourage our members to take advantage of virtual visits with their current primary care physician, if they have this capability. For those who don’t currently have a primary care physician, please use an in-network provider or Doctor on Demand®. The cost-share for such visits, including those for mental health reasons, are waived for the next 90 days. At that time, we will reassess. This update applies to all fully-insured and self-funded plans.
From United Healthcare
We expanded access to telehealth to make it easier for you to connect with health care providers from the comfort and safety of your home. There are two ways to access telehealth services:
Schedule a free telehealth visit
Sign in to your health plan account to access your existing telehealth benefit. We are waiving member deductibles, copays and coinsurance for telehealth visits through our designated telehealth partners.
Talk to your health care provider about telehealth
Telehealth access is expanded in response to COVID-19 to allow faster support and to reduce exposure to the virus. Your local medical provider may be able to provide a telehealth visit through live video-conferencing. We are waiving member deductibles, copays and coinsurance for COVID-19 testing related visits through June 18.
