Governor Cuomo Announces New Directive Requiring New York Insurers to Waive Cost-Sharing for Coronavirus Testing – ny.gov

Governor Cuomo Announces New Directive Requiring New York Insurers to Waive Cost-Sharing for Coronavirus Testing | Governor Andrew M. Cuomo Skip to main content

CurrentlyAll COVID-19 Tests ConductedAt TheState's Wadsworth LabAre Fully Covered

New Yorkers Receiving Medicaid Coverage Will Not Be Expected To PayACo-Pay For Any Testing Related ToCOVID-19

Outlines Series of Other Actions That Health Insurers Should Take, Including Keeping New YorkersInformed About Available Benefits and Offering Telehealth Medical Advice and Treatment

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a new directive by the State Department of Financial Services requiring New York health insurers to waive cost sharing associated with testing for novel coronavirus including emergency room, urgent care and office visits. The Governor also announced New Yorkers receiving Medicaid coverage will not be expected to pay a co-pay for any testing related to COVID-19. These actions will help ensure that cost does not serve as a barrier to access to COVID-19 testing for any New Yorker. Currently all COVID-19 tests being conducted at the State's Wadsworth Lab are fully covered.

In addition, the State outlined a series of other actions that New York health insurers are required or advised to take, including keeping New Yorkers informed regarding available benefits; offering, where possible, telehealth medical advice and treatment; and preparing insurers to cover the costs if a COVID-19 immunization should become available.

"We have the best health-care system in the world, and we are leveraging that system including our state-of-the-art Wadsworth testing lab to help contain any potential spread of the novel coronavirus in New York,"Governor Cuomo said."Containing this virus depends on us having the facts about who has it - and these measures will break down any barriers that could prevent New Yorkers from getting tested."

In order to ensure that cost-sharing is not a barrier to testing for COVID-19, DFS will promulgate an emergency regulation that:

The State Department of Health will ensure New Yorkers receiving Medicaid coverage have their costs covered. New Yorkers enrolled in self-funded employer-based health insurance plans that are not regulated by New York State due to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) should contact their employer to fully understand the scope of coverage.

In addition to covering the cost of testing,the guidance issued by DFS to health insurers regarding actions they should take in relation to the potential impact of COVID-19 on New York includes:

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Governor Cuomo Announces New Directive Requiring New York Insurers to Waive Cost-Sharing for Coronavirus Testing - ny.gov