CHANGES TO COVID-19 COVERAGE:

The IRS, Department of Labor and Department of Health and Human Services have jointly issued frequently asked questions to clarify how the COVID-19 coverage and payment requirements under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) will change when the public health emergency ends.

Based on current COVID-19 trends, the Department of Health and Human Services is planning for the federal PHE for COVID-19 to end on May 11, 2023. Once the PHE ends, the coverage and payment requirements will change.

Under the FFCRA and the CARES Act, plans and issuers are not required to provide coverage for items and services related to diagnostic testing for COVID-19 that are furnished after the end of the PHE. If they provide such coverage, they may impose cost-sharing requirements, prior authorization or other medical management requirements for the items and services.

The FAQs can be found here for the applicable coverage:

Affordable Care Act Implementation,

Families First Coronavirus Response Act, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Implementation Part 58, and

Affordable Care Act and Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act Implementation Part 59