(WXYZ) — Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer says the Michigan Medicaid program will waive copays, dedutibles, coinsurance and cost-sharing for testing and health care treatment related to the COVID-19 coronavirus.
“Michiganders that are fighting for their lives should not have the extra burden of fighting with their health insurer to cover the costs of their care,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “I am thankful that health insurers agreed to cover Michiganders’ coinsurance, deductibles, and copays as we fight this virus. It’s going to take all of us doing our part to slow the spread of COVID-19. We will get through this together”
Consumers with these individual and group health plans will not be charged cost-sharing for coronavirus-related medical treatment, such as primary care visits, laboratory testing, emergency room visits, ambulance services, and FDA-approved medications and vaccines for COVID-19 when they become available.
“This announcement is a clear demonstration of our governor’s ability to get things done for Michiganders during this emergency,” said DIFS Director Anita G. Fox. “I applaud these health insurers for working with Governor Whitmer to remove financial barriers for those seeking treatment during this crisis.”
The insurers who have agreed to waive cost-sharing are:
- Aetna Better Health of Michigan
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Blue Care Network, MI Blue Cross Complete
- HAP, Alliance Health
- Humana Insurance
- McLaren Health Plan
- Meridian Health Plan
- Molina Healthcare Michigan
- Physicians Health Plan (PHP)
- Priority Health, Priority Health Insurance Co., Priority Health Choice, Total Health Care
- United Healthcare Insurance, United Healthcare Community Plan
Patients with confirmed infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
The best prevention for viruses, such as influenza, the common cold or COVID-19 is to:
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. If not available, use hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or upper sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick.
- If you are sick, stay home, and avoid contact with others.
Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.