Humana Medicare Waiving Copays
Humana will maintain zero telehealth copays for several visit types in the Medicare Advantage Part D plans through next year, President and CEO Bruce Broussard said during the company's third-quarter conference call, as transcribed by Seeking Alpha.
He said the company would provide telehealth services for physician visits, urgent care and outpatient behavioral health and COVID-19 testing and treatment for Medicare Advantage Part D members in 2021. Members with a COVID-19 diagnosis also will receive 14 days of home-delivered meals and a health essential kit that includes items to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and the flu.
Humana previously announced it was waiving consumer costs for COVID-19 testing, and will now waive costs related to subsequent treatment for the coronavirus, including inpatient hospital visits. This applies to vaccines, should one become available. There is no end date to the cost-free coverage. $100 copay $100 copay In-network: 30% coinsurance after deductible Therapeutic Radiology Services (such as radiation treatment for cancer) $40 copay $40 copay In-network: 30% coinsurance after deductible Durable Medical Equipment (such as oxygen) 20% coinsurance 20% coinsurance In-network: 30% coinsurance after deductible 10. For the 2021 plan year, Humana will cover out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 treatment for all Humana Medicare Advantage medical plan members. Members will have no copays, deductibles or coinsurance out-of-pocket costs for covered services for treatment of confirmed cases of COVID-19, regardless of where the treatment takes place. This applied to Humana Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, fully-insured group commercial, and some self-insured group commercial members. Eligible members had no copays, deductibles or coinsurance for covered services for treatment of confirmed cases of COVID-19. This was limited to the cost share for the coverage provided by the plan, e.g., medical cost only for Medicare Supplement.
He also said the company also aims to stay competitive in the Medicare Advantage Part D prescription drug plan industry after sustaining membership losses in 2019. Humana made changes to its portfolio this year by combining two plans into a new low premium plan and co-branding the product with Walmart. The plan was priced competitively and gained nearly 1 million members, Mr. Broussard said. He said he hopes to stay competitive in the prescription drug plan market with low premium plans.
'We've taken a disciplined approach to pricing, balancing membership growth and the overall impact to the enterprise,' he said. 'As a result, the Walmart value plan will not be the lowest cost leader in 2021, but is priced in a similar range to other low premium plans with competitive benefits. However, one plan sponsor is an outlier with an offering price well below the rest of the market.'
Waiving Medicare Part D Copays
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