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COVID-19 Updates: Coverage, Telehealth Expansion, and Prior Authorization

April 2, 2020

LifeWise is here to support members, healthcare providers, and employers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

This FAQ can help answer your questions and is updated regularly to provide you with the most accurate information.

Key Updates:

  • Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, health plans will provide coverage for diagnostic testing during an office, telehealth, urgent care center, or emergency room visit, including U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved COVID-19 diagnostic testing products and items and services related to testing.
  • LifeWise is expanding its in-network telehealth network, waiving cost shares, and increasing network capacity through June 30, 2020. This expansion covers both COVID-19 related and non-COVID-19 telehealth visits. The correct telehealth codes must continue to be used. See the FAQ for details.
  • LifeWiseis extending prior authorization timelines to 6 months from the date of approval for prior authorizations requested through April 30, 2020. We're also suspending the initial and concurrent medical necessity reviews for skilled nursing facilities through April 30, 2020.
  • There are specific coding instructions provided by the CDC, WHO, and CMS related to COVID-19. We urge you to use COVID-19 coding for patients so cost shares may be waived appropriately.

If you have health plan questions not covered in these resources, call our customer service team at the number on the back of the member ID card, or your provider network team.