Page 16 - Work Force May 2021

Telehealth and telemedicine program coverage for Empire Plan enrollees
It has become evident during the pandemic that telehealth coverage is a vital means to address the current health and wellness needs of those requiring medical services.
Telehealth is a tool that allows health care professionals to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients using telecommunications technology. Medical visits using smartphones, tablets or personal
computers have proven
to be a popular means
to visit your doctor
through a secure
connection that
meets HIPAA and
confidentiality
regulations. It
appears that this
form of treatment may
be here to stay long
after the public health
emergency ends.
Telehealth visits with your provider can be used for many different services, including:
• Sick/illness visits, including suspected exposure to COVID-19
• Behavioral health treatments such as for treatment of
anxiety and depression
• Medication management
• Follow-up visits or chronic
disease management
• Preventive support for issues
such as weight loss and smoking cessation
Telehealth visits with a network Empire Plan participating provider
or therapist would be subject to the same co-payment(s) as
in-person office visits. During the state and
federal COVID-19 emergency periods, co-payments for network telehealth
are waived.
NOTE: Waiver of co-payments does not
apply to telehealth visits with non-participating
providers.
Although some health care professionals now offer telehealth visits as an alternative for patients, not all have this ability.
To expand access to medical services for members, CSEA worked with New York State to enable the
offering of a 24/7 telemedicine program for all Empire Plan enrollees and dependents.
The Empire Plan’s telemedicine program utilizes LiveHealth Online to provide virtual visits 24 hours a day, seven days a week with a live doctor, without the need to leave home; Spanish speaking doctors are also available.
LiveHealth Online services for Empire Plan enrollees are not limited to medical visits. Virtual mental health visits are also available
to Empire Plan enrollees and dependents.
LiveHealth Online telemedicine services for Empire Plan enrollees and dependents are provided with no out-of-pocket cost (through at least Dec. 31, 2021).
To register or obtain additional information regarding the telemedicine program, visit https://www.empireblue.com/nys/.
Questions regarding the LiveHealth Online telemedicine program can be addressed through the Empire Plan’s hospital carrier at 1-877-7NYSHIP (1-877-769-7447) and select option 2 for the Hospital Program.
Flex Spending Account update
The Flex Spending Account (FSA) is a negotiated state employee benefit that helps save you money by allowing you to pay certain expenses with pre-tax dollars. The Health Care Spending Account and the Dependent Care Advantage Account are benefit programs under New York State’s FSA.
There have been several enhancements to tax savings accounts during the COVID pandemic. On March 26, 2021, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released an announcement that pertains to the Health Care
Spending Account.
New York State (NYS)
employees who currently participate in the Health Care Spending Account will receive notice from the plan administrator in the quarterly statement regarding this new enhancement:
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that
is purchased primarily to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is eligible for reimbursement through the health care spending account. Reimbursable COVID-19 PPE expenses
include amounts paid for masks, hand sanitizers and sanitizing wipes.
Previously-announced enhancements to the Health Care Spending Account for NYS employees include:
• Health Care Spending Account participants are now able to use up to $500 of their 2020 remaining balance for eligible expenses incurred during 2021.
• Over-the-counter drugs and medicines are eligible
for reimbursement without a written prescription through the HCSA.
• Menstrual care products are considered medical expenses that are eligible for reimbursement through the HCSA.
HealthEquity, New York State’s HCSA program administrator,
is updating their system to
reflect this most recent update. Additional information can be obtained by calling the FSA hotline at 1-800-358-7202.
16 The Work Force
May 2021
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