Employee Benefits in the Age of COVID-19 – Part One: Healthcare

Exchange associates can learn more about their DoD NAF medical benefits and find resources and information relating to COVID-19 at www.nafhealthplans.com.

This is the first in a weekly series to help Exchange associates understand how their benefits can help them navigate the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. This week’s story focuses on Exchange associates’ healthcare benefit plan.

The COVID-19 pandemic has ushered in an era of unprecedented uncertainty, but Exchange associates can still count on their healthcare benefit plan to take care of them and their families. In fact, their benefits have never been stronger.

With the March 18 passage of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, the following has been waived through Sept. 30 for all Exchange associates and dependents enrolled in the Department of Defense Non-Appropriated Fund Health Benefit Plan:

• Member cost share for in- and out-of-network provider, urgent care and emergency room visits that result in an order for or administration of an FDA-authorized COVID-19 test.
• Member cost share for in-network inpatient care for those who are confirmed positive for COVID-19 after an FDA-authorized COVID-19 test.
• Refill limits for 30-day prescription maintenance medications filled at participating CONUS pharmacies.
• Copays for all general medicine and behavioral health consultations through Teledoc, a service that allows members in the continental United States to speak with a real doctor 24/7 by calling 1-855-TELADOC or using the Teledoc mobile app.

Copays will also be waived for all telemedicine visits with in-network providers through June 4. To further minimize person-to-person contact, associates can have prescription medicines delivered to their homes through CVS pharmacy, which has waived home delivery charges for DoD NAF plan members through June 30. Members can also call the 24/7 Informed Health line at 1-800-566-1555 to speak to a registered nurse at no cost.

Thanks to new IRS guidance, employers are now permitted to authorize their employees to make midyear health coverage, health flexible spending accounts (FSA) and dependent care assistance program elections. The guidance also extends the carryover period for health flexible spending account expenses and increased the amount employees can carry over for their FSA from one year to the next. The Exchange is in the process of configuring its benefits system to allow associates to make these changes if desired. An update will be sent to the workforce as soon as this process is complete. Until then, associates can click here for more information from the IRS website.

With the pandemic continuing to generate widespread stress and anxiety, the Employee Assistance Program can connect all associates and eligible dependents with free, confidential short-term counseling and referrals. Click here for more information or call 1-800-424-5988 to connect with a clinician.

To learn more about your DoD NAF medical benefits and find resources and information relating to COVID-19, visit www.nafhealthplans.com.