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COVID-19 Test Insurance: Have you Received a Bill?
Dear WCCUSD Community,
We have been hearing from families that they are being billed by their insurance for COVID-19 tests at schools conducted by our school site testing partner, Laboratory Services of America (LSA).
We want to make it clear that, as provided by federal law, insurers and health plans must cover the cost of COVID-19 diagnostic testing. Please see more below in the section “Insurers and Health Plans.” Families are encouraged to contact the California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) if they see charges related to LSA testing in billing for insurance.
Families will not receive a bill from LSA, and they should not be receiving a charge from their insurer. LSA’s sole compensation will be through insurance reimbursement for as long as the federal Public Health Emergency and the CARES act is in effect. No student, staff, family member and/or school will receive a bill from LSA for copays, cost sharing, or balance billing.
Insurers and Health Plans
From DMHC.CA.GOV: As provided by federal law, health plans and issuers must cover the cost of COVID-19 diagnostic tests without imposing any cost-sharing requirements (including deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance), prior authorization, or other medical management when the purpose of the testing is for individualized diagnosis or treatment of COVID-19. Further, health plans and issuers cannot require the presence of symptoms or a recent known or suspected exposure, or otherwise impose medical screening criteria on coverage of tests. If you are having trouble accessing a COVID-19 test through your health plan or if you have any questions, please contact the Department of Managed Health Care Help Center at 1-888-466-2219 or visit the California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) Help Center web page.
Sincerely,
Michael M. Booker
Emergency Preparedness/Safety Consultant