Kentucky health insurance plan for state workers expands COVID-19 coverage

May 19--State government workers who are members of the Kentucky Employees' Health Plan will get no-cost health care coverage for any COVID-19 diagnosis, the Kentucky Personnel Cabinet announced Tuesday.

The self-funded health insurance plan has more than 260,000 members in the state, including current retired school board members and employees in quasi-governmental agencies like health departments, rape crisis centers and domestic violence shelters.

In a news release, the Personnel Cabinet said the plan will cover 100 percent of inpatient and outpatient services related to COVID-19 treatment for in and out-of-network providers. Members will have zero cost share when these services are billed with a COVID-19 diagnosis.

This additional coverage will be applied to coronavirus testing and treatment expenses between Jan. 1, 2020, and Dec.. 31, 2020.

The expansion is a response to Gov. Andy Beshear's executive order declaring a state of emergency for the coronavirus pandemic.

"Our top priority during this pandemic has been the health and safety of all Kentuckians, including our state employees, teachers and other KEHP members," said Beshear. "This expansion removes another barrier for Kentuckians who seek treatment and testing related to COVID-19. This is a critical step in our transition to Healthy at Work."

KEHP members also will pay nothing for all COVID-19 screening and testing.

These services may be provided at a doctor's office, lab, urgent treatment center, emergency room, hospital or through telehealth.

There will be free access to telehealth medical and behavioral health services through LiveHealth Online and to medical and behavioral health providers from March through June 2020.

The insurance expansion also allows automatic approval for early refills on 30-day prescriptions for maintenance medications and extension of many pharmacy prior authorizations by 90 days for those set to expire between March 23 and June 30 to prevent a gap in medication therapy.

More information on KEHP benefits to assist members and their families during this COVID-19 state of emergency is available at kehp.ky.gov.

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