Spotlight: Coronavirus Updates

March 16, 2020

Dear PHBP Participants,

The PHBP would like to assure you that our covered participants are our number one priority. At this time, our covered freelancers have had no loss of coverage as a result of the Coronavirus. Due to our two month staggered Qualification Period vs Coverage Period structure, there will be no immediate impact on the benefits provided to any Plan participants. PHBP recognizes the current concerns about future eligibility issues that may be caused if commercial production in the United States is postponed en masse. The PHBP will continue to assess the actual impact on our covered participants as the situation develops and will determine if adjustments to the Plan’s eligibility rules become necessary to offset any decline in PHBP covered employment as a result of the Coronavirus crisis. The PHBP’s sole focus is to protect the health and welfare of our employee participants as well as the stability of the Plan.

Anthem Blue Cross, the Plan’s medical carrier, will waive all copays, coinsurance, deductibles and requirements for prior authorization for medically necessary tests used to diagnose COVID-19. For more detailed information and for updates from Anthem, visit Anthem’s dedicated COVID-19 page: coronavirus (COVID-19)

The PHBP would also like to remind all covered participants that one of your provided benefits is access to Live Health Online, Anthem’s online doctor visit service. Specialties include family medicine, emergency medicine, medical for kids, psychology and psychiatry. Live Health Online is a safe and effective way for you to see a doctor and receive health guidance related to COVID-19 or any other illness or ailment from the comfort of your home via a smart phone, tablet or computer-enabled web cam. Register with your Anthem ID here; LiveHealth Online

Use of Live Health Online does incur the following out of pocket costs:

HMO: $10 copay

PPO: $20 copay

HSA: $59 charge until deductible is met, then 20% coinsurance

Anthem also recommends all members who have a 30-day prescription for medications taken on a regular basis to talk to your doctor about changing to a 90-day supply. Members filling 90-day prescriptions can obtain your medications through Anthem’s home delivery pharmacy and, in some circumstances, select retail pharmacies. Call the pharmacy services number on the back of our Anthem ID card to learn more.