Federal public health emergency set to end on May 11

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — On Jan. 30, the Biden administration announced that emergency declarations related to the COVID-19 pandemic will end on May 11, which may impact individuals, depending on their health care plans.

As a result of the end of the emergency declaration, several  health insurance coverage and cost-share waivers are set to change as of June 1 .

Effective June 1:

• COVID-19 vaccines will remain covered through both of the Highmark Blue Shield plans at $0 cost share, when provided by an in-network provider as a preventive service
• Over-the-counter COVID-19 testing will be an eligible expense through a FSA or HSA, or an employee can pay out of pocket.

Services listed below will continue to be covered under the Penn State Highmark Blue Shield health plans’ standard cost share amounts (copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance where applicable).   

• COVID-19 diagnostic and antibody testing.
• Related services to diagnose COVID-19 - office visit (in-person or telehealth), emergency room, or urgent care.
• Prescription antiviral treatment.

To learn more, please visit Highmark’s Frequently Asked Questions page and then scroll down to Public Health Emergency  - Public Health Emergency | Highmark.  Please contact the Penn State Highmark concierge customer service team at 844-945-5509 if you have any questions or concerns regarding this update.