Highmark extends coverage of COVID-19 treatment and telemedicine  

Extension will allow members to receive needed care without cost-sharing through March 31

PITTSBURGH, Pa. (Dec. 18, 2020) – With the number of COVID-19 cases growing throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia, Highmark has announced that members who require in-network, inpatient hospital care for COVID-19 will not have to worry about paying cost-sharing  such as deductibles, coinsurance and copays through March 31, 2021. The health insurer had previously made the decision to waive cost-sharing for in-network, inpatient COVID-19 related hospital care through Dec. 31, 2020.  Self-funded employer groups for which Highmark administers benefits may, however, opt-out of this waiver.

“As we near the end of 2020, we are seeing a surge in positive COVID-19 cases and an increase in hospitalizations,” said Deborah Rice-Johnson, President, Highmark Inc. “Since February 2020, our members have been able to receive treatment for COVID-19 without having to worry about copays or coinsurance, and we are committed to ensuring members can continue to receive that care through the first three months of 2021.”

With today’s announcement, Highmark is also extending the waiver of cost-sharing for in-network telehealth visits through March 31.  As with COVID-19 treatment, self-funded employer groups for which Highmark administers benefits may also opt-out of this waiver.

Highmark’s Medicare Advantage members will also have no cost-sharing for telehealth visits in or out-of-network through March 31, 2021. Additionally, Medicare Advantage members will see no copays for COVID related hospital admissions for the duration of the public health emergency.

Highmark will also cover COVID-19 vaccines free of charge to its members once approved by the federal government and made available by state agencies.

For more information, visit highmarkanswers.com.