Last week, as Oregon was preparing to handle a COVID-19 outbreak, Kate Brown announced a new deal brokered between state regulators and eight major insurers to waive co-pays and deductibles for coronavirus testing. These rules would also waive immunization costs if a COVID-19 vaccine becomes available.
“No one should have to ask if getting a COVID-19 test is something they can afford,” Brown said in a press release. “I hope this agreement sets a framework that other states can follow nationwide.”
The deal would apply to about 1 million Oregonians who are insured by the following providers:
- BridgeSpan Health Company
- Health Net Health Plan of Oregon, Inc.
- Kaiser Permanente
- Moda Health Plan, Inc.
- PacificSource Health Plans
- Providence Health Plans
- Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Samaritan Health Plans, Inc.
Oregonians who are covered by Medicare or the Oregon Health Plan will also be eligible to have testing fees waived. The Oregon Health Plan doesn’t charge patients for testing, and Medicare will cover COVID-19 testing ordered by a medical provider.
Not included in the agreement: Some Oregonians may still have to pay for testing. United Healthcare, Cigna, Aetna and Health Care Insurance Corporation collectively cover about 92,000 Oregonians and have yet to agree to the deal.
Further clarification coming for others: The governor’s office is seeking clarification from the federal government on whether patients with healthcare savings accounts and Medicare Advantage will be eligible to have test costs waived.
Oregon had seven confirmed cases of COVID-19 at press time.
By Kevin Davenport-Rackham
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