This article was revised on August 20, 2020, to update the effective timeline for Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and CHIP members.

Independence is committed to providing our members with access to the care they need during the COVID-19 pandemic. We encourage all Independence members and providers to visit our dedicated COVID-19 webpage regularly for the latest news and updates. We will continue to evaluate member needs as the situation changes.

Coverage of member cost-share

As previously communicated, Independence is waiving member cost-sharing (i.e., copayment, deductible, and coinsurance) for the following services:

• Testing. Independence will waive member cost-sharing for certain COVID-19 diagnostic tests and the administration of such tests when performed at a physician's office, urgent care center, the emergency room/department (ED), or a drive-through testing center or during a telehealth or home heath visit. In addition, we will cover certain medically appropriate COVID-19 antibody testing with no member cost-share in accordance with federal guidelines and company medical policy for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Inpatient treatment.

  • Independence will waive member cost-sharing for in-network, inpatient, acute care treatment of members diagnosed with COVID-19, whether for medical or behavioral health.

  • Independence will waive member cost-sharing for ED visits associated with admissions for in-network, inpatient, acute care treatment of COVID-19 whether for medical or behavioral health.

   Note: Cost-sharing is not waived for outpatient services provided in the ED.

We also communicated that self-funded customers can opt-out of waiving cost-sharing for the treatment of COVID-19; therefore, some members may still be required to pay their applicable cost-share.

Claims processing

Processes have been implemented to ensure provider payments are accurate and claims are processed in a timely fashion and in accordance with applicable law and regulatory guidance.

The following chart outlines how claims will be processed for the various services provided to Independence members – specifically regarding member cost-sharing:

* Testing and treatment coverage for Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and CHIP members is effective for the duration of the public health emergency.

For information on how we are processing claims for PCP telemedicine services, please read this article.

Payment adjustments

If cost-sharing was inadvertently applied to the claim and it should have been removed, the claim will be adjusted to pay the provider the correct amount. 

We have identified some claims that were not processed according to our new process. We will perform a review of all claims processed in error and will make the necessary adjustments in the coming weeks.

In support of this process, we ask that providers wait until after the claim has been processed to bill the member for any applicable cost-share noted on the Provider Explanation of Benefits.

As a result of the processes we have recently implemented, you will not need to contact the call center or submit a claim investigation via the NaviNet^® web portal (NaviNet Open) to request an adjustment.

Learn more

For detailed information related to our coverage of services during the COVID-19 public health emergency, please review our news articles on our Medical Policy Portal.

We thank you for your patience as we work to address the rapidly changing guidelines established by both the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and state regulators and ensure our compliance.

For more information about Independence’s position on COVID-19, please review the following resources:

• COVID-19 webpage 
• Policy information
  • Commercial
  • Medicare Advantage

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