Payer

New York Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo is urging health insurers who employ physicians and nurses to release them from their duties so they can help treat COVID-19 patients, according to Bloomberg. 

As explained by VisitPay's Will Reilly, VisitPay's 2020 Annual Report, reveals through direct patient research, significant insights into what constitutes a more compassionate financial experience that benefits both patients and providers.  

UnitedHealth Group changed its policies to promote more remote work after the insurer had asked tens of thousands of its employees to continue coming on-site amid the COVID-19 outbreak. 

Here are six notes on how COVID-19 is affecting health insurers and how they're responding:

Highmark Health said it's seeing members rejoin the company after the insurer and rival UPMC ended a long contract feud last year, according to Trib Live.

A severe COVID-19 pandemic could cost health insurers in the U.S. more than $90 billion in medical claims, according to analysis from S&P Global Ratings.

While companies across the U.S. implement work-from-home policies to help combat the spread of COVID-19, UnitedHealth Group has instructed its employees who aren't sick, high-risk or facing other obstacles to go to work, according to The Washington Post.

Some commercial payers are moving to cover cost-sharing and out-of-pocket costs for physician office visits related to COVID-19 screening, according to Forbes contributor Bruce Japsen.

The CPT Editorial Panel approved a new CPT code for coronavirus laboratory testing services, according to the American Medical Association.

High-deductible health plans will be able to keep their status even if they waive cost-sharing for COVID-19 tests before a member's deductible is met, according to an IRS notice.