Participants should refrain from using their account-based plans from paying for OTC tests upfront and then seeking reimbursement from their health plan.

To ring in the New Year, President Biden announced a new rule requiring group health plans to cover over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 tests with no cost-share to plan participants. This rule, implemented by additional guidance by the Department of Labor (DOL), significantly expanded the initial mandate to cover COVID-19 testing with no cost-sharing under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).

Under the new rule, group health plans may provide direct coverage for OTC COVID-19 tests (the plan pays the provider of the test directly) or, in the alternative; participants may pay for the test upfront and then seek reimbursement from the group health plan. The upfront payment approach here may be unfamiliar for many plan participants who have never had to pay for their medical expenses upfront and seek reimbursement.

Complete your profile to continue reading and get FREE access to BenefitsPRO.com, part of your ALM digital membership.

Your access to unlimited BenefitsPRO.com content isn’t changing.
Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Critical BenefitsPRO.com information including cutting edge post-reform success strategies, access to educational webcasts and videos, resources from industry leaders, and informative Newsletters.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM, BenefitsPRO magazine and BenefitsPRO.com events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com

Already have an account?

 

BenefitsPRO

Join BenefitsPRO

Don’t miss crucial news and insights you need to navigate the shifting employee benefits industry. Join BenefitsPRO.com now!

  • Unlimited access to BenefitsPRO.com - your roadmap to thriving in a disrupted environment
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com
  • Exclusive discounts on BenefitsPRO.com and ALM events.

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join BenefitsPRO

Copyright © 2023 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.