Most private health plans no longer waiving cost-sharing for COVID-19 care

Seventy-two percent of the country’s largest health plans are no longer waiving out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 treatment, according to research released Aug. 19 by the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker.

Advertisement

Most private insurers waived cost-sharing for COVID-19 treatment early in the pandemic. Some insurers started phasing out these waivers last November, and even more followed suit after COVID-19 vaccines became widely available in the U.S.

The research team looked at the two largest health plans in each state and Washington, D.C. They found that as of Aug. 12, 72 percent of these plans are no longer waiving cost-sharing for COVID-19 treatment, and another 10 percent of plans have planned to phase out the waivers by the end of October.

During the first seven months of 2021, about one-third of employers said their largest plan waived cost-sharing for COVID-19 treatment.

The typical deductible for an employer health plan is $1,644, and a patient hospitalized for COVID-19 could incur out-of-pocket costs amounting to about $1,300, according to the report.

Becker’s 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit is the top tier event that the people leading the future of pharmacy convene. This 3-day event is built specifically for Chief Pharmacy Officers and senior pharmacy leaders. The sessions examine the workforce, financial and clinical priorities shaping pharmacy today. Becker’s is where candid discussions flourish and new ideas thrive. Becker's 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit

Advertisement

Next Up in Care Coordination

Advertisement

Comments are closed.