Benefit Plans COVID-19 Updates

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) Act

The President signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) Act into law on March 27, 2020. The Act contains numerous provisions, and there are two sections that directly affect flexible spending accounts (FSAs):

• It permanently reinstates coverage of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and medicines without a prescription.
• This allows participants to be reimbursed for items such as Tylenol, Advil, Claritin, and Tamiflu.
• Click here to review the approved OTC drugs and medicines.
• Menstrual products (such as tampons, pads, cups, liners, etc.) are now included as qualifying expenses.
• These two changes are retroactive to January 1, 2020.

Claims Filing Deadline Extended

• The 2019 claim filing deadline has been extended from April 30th to June 30th.

FSA Store

• The FSA Store recently launched a new Virus Preparedness category to assist families with finding the most popular FSA-eligible items purchased during flu season.
• The FSA Store has pledged to provide fair price protections for all items in the Virus Preparedness category and are making every effort to keep a steady supply of those items available to customers at current prices. To learn more, go to the FSA Store.

You may make mid-year changes to your DCFSA if your dependent care provider has been impacted by COVID-19 and one of the following events is applicable to your situation.

Daycare provider increases cost

• Increase election consistent with the new cost • Change to another provider at a lower cost and make an election change consistent with the new cost • Stop the election if no other similar provider is available

Daycare provider decreases cost

• Decrease election consistent with the new cost

Employee changes daycare provider

• Increase or decrease election consistent with new cost

Daycare closes

• Decrease or stop election

Child is out of school due to summer

• Increase election consistent with need for more daycare hours • Decrease or stop election if daycare is needed for fewer hours or not needed

Child start school in the fall

• Increase election if before or after school care is needed • Decrease election if fewer hours of daycare are needed

Can I make a change to my FSA Health election due to the changes mentioned above? Unfortunately, no. However, you can make new elections at the next open enrollment date to take advantage of this change in coverage. You can use existing funds for any of these qualifying expenses incurred on or after January 1, 2020. What type of documentation is needed to submit to be reimbursed for the new approved OTC drugs? The same documentation used for other claims. You will need an itemized receipt from the merchant indicating: store name, purchase date, description of product and cost of the item. Can the ASIFlex debit card be used for these items? Yes. However, please keep in mind that merchants will need some time to update their Inventory Information Approval System (IIAS) in order for these items to be recognized as eligible. Please be patient as many merchants are currently understaffed. It is currently anticipated that this process could take up to six weeks. What if the items do not show as eligible when the debit card is used? Initially, debit cards may not work for these items. If the card cannot be used to purchase these items, you can simply snap a picture of the itemized store receipt and submit the claim via the mobile app or file a claim online after scanning the documentation. Which merchants will accept the ASIFlex card for these types of purchases? ASI Flex anticipates that the same merchants who accept cards now for general OTC health care products will accept the cards for OTC drugs and medicines. But keep in mind that the merchants will need time to modify their inventory system. Has the FSA Store site been updated for these items? The FSA Store are already in the process of updating their inventory and websites. Will ASIFlex send information to my employees? Yes, ASIFlex will release email and text alerts with a brief update referring plan participants to the updated website.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ) has made several benefit updates to support its members during the COVID-19 pandemic and has made several benefit plan updates.

COVID-19 Testing -No Copay

COVID-19 testing is a covered benefit with all of our medical plans. What’s new is that we are waiving all member cost sharing for COVID-19 diagnostic testing when it is medically necessary and performed according to CDC guidelines. The $0 cost share applies to testing performed at both in- and out-of-network labs.

COVID-19 Testing and Treatment -No prior authorization required.

BCBSAZ is waiving prior authorization for diagnostic tests and covered treatment services that are medically necessary and consistent with CDC guidance for members who have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

Prescription Refills

• Early refills are approved for 30-day prescriptions taken for a long-term or chronic condition in almost all cases.
• 90-day supply is available to all members whose plan offers mail-order pharmacy benefits. They simply sign up and order a three-month supply by mail. Many of our plans also cover 90-day supplies purchased at retail pharmacies.
• If there is a shortage of the medication a member takes, we will work with them and their doctor to identify an alternative option. If the alternative medication costs more than the original, the member won’t have to pay the additional amount.

Nurse Advice and Online Doctor Visits:

• Nurse On Call service is available if you have questions or concerns about COVID-19 or another illness. Registered nurses are available 24/7 at 1-866-422-2729.
• BlueCare Anywhere - 24/7 service available with most BCBSAZ plans that connects members to a board-certified doctor by live video.
  • Members can use a computer, tablet, or mobile device to consult with a board-certified doctor by video. The service can be used from home, work, or anywhere.
  • To make it easier for members who have this service, we are waiving the associates copay for the next 90 days. Members will pay $0 out-of-pocket from now through June 12, 2020, when they use BlueCare Anywhere. This applies to both medical and behavioral health telehealth visits.
  • Employees can get started at BlueCareAnywhereAZ.com or download the BlueCare Anywhere telehealth app.
• The CDC is tracking the COVID-19 outbreak around the clock. BCBSAZ has a resource page at azblue.com/coronavirus.
• PDF communication

Employee Assistance Program

In response to the COVID-pandemic, operations are changing, which includes providing online counseling (via HIPAA compliant Zoom). We are offering wellness programs through Zoom through Friday, April 30, 2020. Please watch this website or call 523-1552 for updated information. Employee Assistance Program

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) signed into law contains important provisions that will affect HSAs

Effective immediately:

• HSA-qualified health plans can now cover telehealth and other remote care service expenses below the HDHP statutory deductible limit, or at no or low-cost sharing, without affecting an account holder’s ability to continue contributing to their HSA. This provision will last until December 31, 2021.
• Over-the-counter drugs and medicines (OTC) can be paid for or reimbursed through an HSA without a doctor’s prescription.
• Menstrual care products are now considered a qualified medical expense and are eligible for payment or reimbursement through HSA.
• All expenses incurred after December 31, 2019 qualify, and the provision has no expiration date.
• Visit the Health Equity website to learn more about the CARES Act.

The State of Arizona's Benefits Services Division (ADOA) is offering you and your covered dependents expanded coverage for COVID-19 services at no cost. Your health care plan will now pay for the treatment of COVID-19 at in-network facilities and providers.

For a COVID-19 diagnosis - no deductible, copays or coinsurance for:

• Testing at in-network or out-of-network facilities.
• Treatment at in-network facilities and providers.
  • For example, if you have to get treatment at an in-network hospital, you will be covered at no cost.
  • This includes the EPO, PPO and HDHP plans with all carriers.
  • This includes telemedicine services.
  • Effective immediately through June 1, 2020.
• PDF Communication

The Employee Assistance Program

You may feel anxiety or stress about COVID-19, and we want to remind you of the services of our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) called ComPsych. You and your family members can access these services by calling 1-877-327-2362 or visiting guidanceresources.com. Enter company code HN8876C to register.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) signed into law contains important provisions that will affect HSAs

Effective immediately:

• HSA-qualified health plans can now cover telehealth and other remote care service expenses below the HDHP statutory deductible limit, or at no or low-cost sharing, without affecting an account holder’s ability to continue contributing to their HSA. This provision will last until December 31, 2021.
• Over-the-counter drugs and medicines (OTC) can be paid for or reimbursed through an HSA without a doctor’s prescription.
• Menstrual care products are now considered a qualified medical expense and are eligible for payment or reimbursement through HSA.
• All expenses incurred after December 31, 2019 qualify, and the provision has no expiration date.

Effective April 1st:

• Interest rates for HSA accounts changed to 0.05% for balances ($0.01 - over $10,000) for an unknown length of time.
• PayFlex Covid-19 notice 04/14/2020 (PDF)

Using your PayFlex funds to pay for OTC items:

• Here’s how you can use your PayFlex account funds, if over-the-counter items are allowed under your plan.
• Please allow time for the debit card system to update.
• Updating the card system isn’t something PayFlex manages or has control over and do not know how long the system update will take.
• If your PayFlex debit card doesn’t work at time of purchase, you can pay out of pocket, and request reimbursement from your PayFlex account funds.
• To submit OTC expenses for reimbursement: Log into payflex.com or  use the PayFlex Mobile app.
• Here is the full list of eligible expense items.
• Visit the PayFlex website to learn more about COVID-19 resources.