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COVID-19 and medical policy changes
Since March 2020, there has been an onslaught of health information to process, not least of all the medical policy changes that have occurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether or not you've been personally impacted by the coronavirus itself, you've likely had areas of your health coverage shift in response to the challenges we've faced during this time.
If you're living with type 1 diabetes (t1d), you're already the navigating complexities of health insurance to manage your condition. Being at higher risk of complications from COVID-19, it's now especially important to know how to stay insured and to take advantage of your policy's new features.
Where did these medical policy changes come from?
The government's America Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) includes a variety of pandemic-related assistance for Americans impacted by COVID-19. Federal departments and state/local areas have provided guidance about medical policy changes as well. Some of the provisions have come and gone already, while others are still active or may be extended depending on how circumstances evolve over the coming months.
Receiving health insurance coverage
In the United States, health insurance is often tied to employment. With pandemic-related economic impact on many industries, the ability to continue accessing coverage or obtaining new coverage has been in the spotlight.
Options available to potentially maintain your current policy or seek coverage elsewhere are supported by some of the following features of ARPA:
- Increased eligibility for programs like Medicaid
- COBRA subsidies available to those who have lost their jobs and want to keep their coverage
- Increased subsidies for people to pay for premiums on marketplace plans
Accessing telehealth
Prior to the pandemic, receiving care for diabetes or any other health concern through video visits was considered cutting-edge and was often ineligible for reimbursement from insurance companies. In a move that will have ripple effects beyond the length of this public health crisis, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) encouraged the use of telehealth (sometimes referred to as telemedicine) to deliver care in situations where an in-person exam is not needed.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued waivers to make it easier for people enrolled in federal health programs to receive care in this manner. Since commercial insurers often make decisions based on CMS policy, telehealth has been widely accepted.
The major points of this shift include:
- Conducting telehealth visits with patients in their homes and outside of the previously designated rural areas
- Delivering care to new and existing patients through telehealth
- Practicing remote care across state lines
- The ability to bill for telehealth services (video and phone) as if they were in-person visits
Medical policy changes and T1D
It's been an especially challenging time for people living with chronic illness who find themselves at risk for complications from COVID-19. People with t1d already have concerns about the ability to maintain and access quality health coverage and care, so pandemic-related medical policy changes have been especially important in this community.
Additionally, folks who have been able to access their diabetes specialty care through the telehealth provisions may find that this format works well for them and want to continue with it. Time will tell how medical policy changes due to the coronavirus will influence access to and delivery of care going forward.
Wondering what resources are available to you as you continue to navigate t1d in a pandemic world? Stay up to date with these diabetes and coronavirus resources.
