COVID-19 Flyers

Update (February 14, 2022)

Health and Welfare Plan Participants

Coverage of At-Home COVID-19 Tests as of January 15, 2022

Consistent with federal agency guidance, the I.B.E.W. 292 Health Care Plan (“Plan”) will provide coverage for at-home over-the-counter (“OTC”) COVID-19 test kits subject to the following provisions. These provisions only apply to at-home OTC COVID-19 test kits and do not affect previous Plan provisions regarding coverage of COVID-19 tests that are not at-home OTC COVID-19 test kits.

  • At-home OTC COVID-19 test kits are covered if purchased on and after January 15, 2022 and through the end of the Public Health Emergency that was declared by the Department of Health and Human Services with respect to COVID-19.
  • The Plan will only cover test kits available “over the counter” that have been approved by the FDA for use at home or elsewhere without involvement of a health care provider will be covered under this provision. Please go to www.fda.gov to learn which tests are currently FDA approved or check the packaging on the test kit before purchasing.
  • The Plan will cover the cost of at-home OTC COVID-19 test kits without cost-sharing (no Deductible or Copay) if the at-home OTC COVID-19 test kits are purchased through a pharmacy in the Sav-Rx network.
    • Many pharmacies in the Sav-Rx network are set up to process test kits in the same manner as a prescription. In these pharmacies, you can present your Sav-Rx Prescription card at the pharmacy counter and the test kit will be covered at 100%. This means that you will not have to pay anything for the at-home OTC COVID-19 test kit.
    • Some pharmacies in the Sav-Rx network are not set up to process at-home OTC COVID-19  test kits in the same manner as a prescription. For these pharmacies, you must pay for the at-home OTC COVID-19 test kit at the time of purchase. You will be reimbursed for the entire cost of the at-home OTC COVID-19 test kit if you save your receipt of purchase and submit the receipt along with the “Over-The-Counter (OTC) COVID-19 Test Kit Claim Reimbursement Request” form to Sav-Rx at their address noted on the reimbursement request form. Reimbursement request forms are available at www.savrx.com. A sample claim form is also attached to this Notice.
  • Reimbursement for at-home OTC COVID-19 test kits purchased at a pharmacy that is not in the Sav-Rx network will be limited to the cost of the test or $12, whichever is less. Amounts that you pay in excess of $12 for an at-home OTC COVID-19 test kit purchased at a pharmacy that is not in the Sav-Rx network or any other retailer will not count towards your Prescription Drug Benefit Deductible or your Prescription Drug Benefit Annual Out-of-Pocket Maximum.
    • Save your receipt of purchase and submit the receipt along with the “Over-The-Counter (OTC) COVID-19 Test Kit Claim Reimbursement Request” form to Sav-Rx at their address noted on the reimbursement request form. Reimbursement request forms are available at www.savrx.com.
  • The Plan will cover  up to eight (8) at-home COVID-19 test kits per Covered Person under the Plan each calendar month.
  • Covered tests include only those for at-home medical use by you or your covered household family members. Tests for employment purposes or resale will not be covered or reimbursed under this program.

Additional COVID Tests Available Directly from the Government

The United States government is also providing free at home COVID test kits. Please visit www.covidtests.gov to order up to 4 free tests per household. The tests kits will ship through the USPS, and are expected to ship out 7 to 12 days to most residential addresses.

Questions

Federal and state agencies are frequently releasing new information and guidance about COVID-19. This means the information above is subject to change. If you have any questions about the Plan’s coverage of at-home COVID-19 test kits or your pharmacy benefits in general, please call the Fund Office at (763) 493-8830 or contact Sav-Rx at (800) 228-3108.

Reimbursement Form

OTC COVID-19 Testing Reimbursement Form

Update (April 1, 2021)

The Plan’s 100% coverage (no member cost share) for in-network PPO physician “virtual” telehealth visits has been extended through December 31, 2021

Update (September 17, 2020)

Re:  100% coverage for in-network physician telehealth visits – extended through December 31, 2020.

The Plan’s 100% coverage (no member cost share) for in-network PPO physician “virtual” telehealth visits has been extended through December 31, 2020.

Please note, Plan Participants also have continued access to $0 copayment physician visits 24/7 through “Teladoc” at www.teladoc.com , through Teladoc’s iOS or Android smartphone application, or by phone at 1-800-TELADOC (1-800-835-2362).

Sincerely,

Carla Gruetzmacher, CEBS
Administrative Manager
IBEW 292 Benefits

Telehealth Update (June 24, 2020)

Re:  100% coverage for in-network physician telehealth visits – extended through September 30, 2020

The Plan’s 100% coverage (no member cost share) for in-network PPO physician “virtual” telehealth visits has been extended through September 30, 2020.  

Please note, Plan Participants also have continued access to $0 copayment physician visits 24/7 through “Teladoc” at www.teladoc.com, through Teladoc’s iOS or Android smartphone application, or by phone at 1-800-TELADOC (1-800-835-2362).

Sincerely,

Carla Gruetzmacher, CEBS
Administrative Manager
IBEW 292 Benefits

Message from IBEW 292 Benefits

Dear IBEW Local 292 Members:

A lot of information is coming in fast and everyone has a lot of questions regarding COVID-19. I am working with the Trustees to gather as much accurate information as we can, process it and get it out to the membership as soon as possible. Just like everywhere else this is happening; this process is challenging and new. We can assure you; the safety and well-being of all members, families, and our staff is the highest priority.

Due to COVID-19, we are taking precautionary measures to protect you, your families, and our staff in the office.

  1. The offices will continue to remain open, for now, but we ask you to try to conduct business by: Phone, Email, Mail or Online.
  2. DO NOT come down to IBEW 292 Benefits Office unless it’s necessary and please call us first to assure someone is available to help you. 763-493-8830 or 800-368-9045

Thank you for your patience as we all work through this crisis. Nothing is more important to us than protecting the health and safety of our members, families, and our staff. Please stay safe. We will continue to evaluate the COVID-19 situation and will be updating information on our website IBEW292BENEFITS.org and/or by email or mail. Please follow all the recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control to limit or eliminate your exposure by staying at home, washing hands often, cleaning surfaces and practicing recommended social distancing.

Sincerely,

Carla Gruetzmacher
Administrative Manager
IBEW 292 Benefits

Health Care Amendments

Resources

Doctor on Demand (only through 3/31/2020)

Teladoc (effective 4/1/2020)