Hunh: CV-19 testing - Covered?

So-called "excepted benefit" plans, which include Short Term and Travel Medical policies, have gotten short-shrift in the CV-19 discussion, but that may be changing (for the good). These policies, which are not ACA-compliant (NTTAWWT), may also include Coronavirus testing.

Here's why:

These plans, while exempt from federal oversight, are still generally subject to rules and reg's put forth by the individual states in which they're sold:

"In Washington state, for example, Mike Kreidler, the insurance commissioner, is requiring all health insurers in the state to cover testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes Covid-19 pneumonia, without imposing preauthorization requirements, co-payment requirements or deductibles, at least until May ."

In other words: "free."

GeoBlue, for instance, which offers ravel medical plans, "has announced that it will cover medically necessary, prescribed SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic testing at no cost to  the enrollee."

As has National General on their Short Term Medical plans.

And other carriers are also stepping up.

Kudos!

Now we just have to wait for the tests to be (more?) widely available.

Also: Wash your hands!