Benefit Program Updates Relating to COVID-19

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, NRECA and our vendor partners are extending certain benefit relief measures.

The latest extensions are noted below as well as on the Employee Benefits website’s COVID-19 Update page for benefits administrators. Be sure to review information on extended benefit plan timelines for cooperatives and participants who may be affected by COVID-19.

• COVID-19 testing along with the associated provider visit will be covered by the NRECA Medical Plan with no cost share to participants through the end of the public health emergency. Subsequent care related to a coronavirus diagnosis is subject to deductible and/or coinsurance amounts. Testing for COVID-19 is covered by the NRECA Medical Plan when the test is FDA-approved and ordered by a medical professional. There is currently no limit on the number of tests covered as long as they meet the criteria for FDA approval and referral by a medical provider.
• COVID-19 vaccination administration costs associated with COVID-19 immunizations recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the FDA’s emergency use authorization are covered by the NRECA Medical Plan with no participant cost share. The vaccine itself is covered through the US government. Encourage participants to use the UMR vaccination locator tool to locate a COVID-19 vaccination site.   
• CVS Caremark is temporarily waiving early refill limits on 30-day prescriptions for maintenance medications at all in-network pharmacies (excluding controlled substances) through the end of the public health emergency. Up to a 90-day supply of maintenance medications are encouraged for refills. CVS is also temporarily providing free home delivery from CVS retail pharmacies for all prescriptions.
• Teladoc consultation fees have been temporarily suspended for all NRECA Medical Plan participants in high-deductible health plans through July 19, 2021. Teladoc physicians can now order antibody testing through Quest Diagnostics or LabCorp locations, if a test is clinically appropriate; there will be no out-of-pocket cost for the consult or the antibody test through July 19, 2021.

To assist you with notifying your co-op’s employees of these enhancements, please use this template email. Additionally, participants have access to a COVID-19 Benefit Updates page that outlines these relief measures when they log into the Employee Benefits website.

For specific questions, please reach out to your co-op’s field representative or the Member Contact Center at 866.673.2299. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, 7 am to 7 pm, Central time.