COVID-19

COVID-19 Vaccinations

• COVID-19 vaccines are covered in full.
• An updated vaccine is available that is anticipated to be more effective at fighting currently circulating variants.
• We encourage you to keep up with your COVID-19 vaccinations as people who have received their vaccines have lower risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19.
• To keep up-to-date about COVID-19 vaccinations and for more information, visit the CDC.gov website

COVID-19 Testing

• Lab tests for the diagnosis of COVID-19 are covered like other lab tests. Check your plan coverage for your cost share. This includes any pre-surgical testing that is required. If you have a diagnostic COVID-19 test at an urgent care center, your urgent care cost share will apply.
• At-home, over-the-counter COVID-19 tests are not covered by Independent Health.
• Before you throw out your expired COVID-19 test kits, check to see if the expiration dates have been extended.

Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan (FEHB): The FEHB plan will continue to cover at-home, over-the-counter COVID tests at the same cost share as other lab services.

Self-funded Plans: please check your specific coverage with your employer.

State Programs (MediSource, MediSource Connect, Child Health Plus, Essential: No changes to current coverage.

COVID-19 Antiviral Drugs

• As of February 1, 2024, Paxlovid and Lagevrio, COVID-19 antiviral prescription drugs, are covered on the Medicare and commercial formularies.
• Medicare members with prescription coverage have a $0 cost share for either drug.
• Commercial (Employer and Individual/Family), Essential, or Child Health Plus Plan members with prescription coverage have a Tier 2 cost share.

Staying safe and healthy

COVID-19 is still present and remains a health concern, especially for people with chronic conditions and weakened immune systems. Below are reminders to keep you and others around you safe and healthy:

• Avoid close contact with those who are sick, practice proper hand washing, cover coughs and sneezes, keep surfaces clean and follow appropriate use of masks.  
• If you feel sick or feel unwell, avoid others. 
• Follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance about when to get tested for COVID-19.
• As a reminder about current CDC guidance:
  • Regardless of vaccination status, you should isolate from others when you have COVID-19. 
  • You should also isolate if you are sick and suspect you have COVID-19 but do not yet have test results.
  • Please click here to help determine if you need to isolate or take other steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including wearing a mask. Masks are currently recommended when around others and in public through day 10 during or following isolation, or possibly longer, unless you have had two negative tests at least 48 hours apart. 
• To view additional COVID-19 health information including symptoms and treatment, please click here.

Stay Informed

We encourage all members to create their own Independent Health member accounts in order to review their benefits and have access to key details related to their plan.

Last Updated 4/21/23