WOONSOCKET, R.I., March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Health (NYSE:
CVS) today announced several steps to support Aetna members in
response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
"Supporting the health and well-being of our members and
removing barriers to care are among our key areas of focus as we
navigate the spread of COVID-19," said Karen S. Lynch, President, Aetna and Executive
Vice President, CVS Health. "That's why we're providing COVID-19
diagnostic testing and telemedicine visits with no out-of-pocket
costs or cost sharing for Aetna members, along with a number of
other programs and offerings that reinforce our commitment to
delivering timely and seamless access to care."
CVS Health has engaged with public health experts and
organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), to spread awareness of emergency preparedness
efforts. Through its frequently-updated COVID-19 resource center,
the company is providing the latest information on precautions
consumers should take to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and
who should seek medical attention.
Effective immediately, Aetna members will have access to the
following resources:
Aetna will waive co-pays for all diagnostic testing
related to COVID-19. This policy will cover the test
kit for patients who meet CDC guidelines for testing, which
can be done in any approved laboratory location. Aetna will waive
the member costs associated with diagnostic testing at any
authorized location for all Commercial, Medicare and Medicaid lines
of business. Self-insured plan sponsors will be able to opt-out of
this program at their discretion.
For the next 90 days, Aetna will offer zero co-pay
telemedicine visits – for any reason. Aetna members should use
telemedicine as their first line of defense in order to limit
potential exposure in physician offices. Cost sharing will be
waived for all video visits through the CVS MinuteClinic app,
Aetna-covered Teladoc® offerings and in-network providers
delivering synchronous virtual care (live video-conferencing) for
all Commercial plan designs. Self-insured plan sponsors will be
able to opt-out of this program at their discretion.
Through Aetna's Healing Better program, members who are
diagnosed with COVID-19 will receive a care package containing
CVS over-the-counter medications to help relieve symptoms. The
package will also include personal and household cleaning supplies
to help keep others in the home protected from potential
exposure.
Through existing care management programs, Aetna will
proactively reach out to members most at-risk for COVID-19.
Care managers will walk members through what they can do to protect
themselves, where to get information on the virus, and where to go
to get tested.
Aetna is extending its Medicare Advantage virtual evaluation
and monitoring visit benefit to all Aetna Commercial
members as a fully-covered benefit. This offering will empower
members with other conditions that need follow-up care to engage
with providers without the concern of sitting in a physician's
office and risking potential exposure to COVID-19.
CVS Health is implementing the following programs to educate
members about COVID-19 and help address any associated
anxiety and stress:
- Opening Crisis Response Lines for all Aetna (Commercial,
Medicare, Medicaid) and Caremark members who may be experiencing
anxiety related to COVID-19.
- Expanding 24x7 access to the Aetna Nurse Medical Line for all
Aetna and Caremark members.
- Providing Aetna plan sponsors with a Resources for Living
toolkit with materials specifically developed for members
experiencing anxiety related to COVID-19.
Anyone presenting symptoms compatible with COVID-19 should
contact their health care provider immediately.
About CVS Health
CVS Health employees are united
around a common goal of becoming the most consumer-centric health
company in the world. We're evolving based on changing consumer
needs and meeting people where they are, whether that's in the
community at one of our nearly 10,000 local touchpoints, in the
home, or in the palm of their hand. Our newest offerings from
HealthHUB locations that are redefining what a pharmacy can be, to
innovative programs that help manage chronic conditions are
designed to create a higher-quality, simpler and more affordable
experience. Learn more about how we're transforming health
at http://www.cvshealth.com.
Media Contact
Ethan
Slavin
860-273-6095
SlavinE@aetna.com
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SOURCE CVS Health