COVID-19 Policy Updates: Paid Leave, Private Coverage, and Issues for the Uninsured

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COVID-19 Policy Updates: Paid Leave, Private Coverage, and Issues for the Uninsured Coronavirus Puts a Spotlight on Paid Leave Policies A new brief examines how uneven paid family and sick leave policies across the U.S. may impact workers affected by COVID-19. The CDC has encouraged employers to allow employees to work from home, but many jobs are not amenable to telecommuting. Furthermore, the limits on paid leave benefits are important to parents who work outside the home, as some schools across the country have closed and many others are considering closing in response to COVID-19. Women comprise nearly half of the nation’s workforce and are usually the ones to care for children when they are sick and cannot attend school or day care. Four in ten (40%) mothers working outside the home say they must take time off work and stay home when their children are sick, and more than half report they are not paid during that time. The brief also examines provisions in the COVID-19 economic relief package in Congress and how it addresses some of the gaps in existing leave policies for workers and their families affected by the novel coronavirus outbreak and its widespread economic impacts. Private Health Coverage of COVID-19: Key Facts and Issues This brief reviews current coverage standards for private health plans and how these may change in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Congress is poised to pass a new law requiring all group health plans and individual health insurance coverage to cover testing and associated visits related to the diagnosis of COVID-19 during the emergency period. However, this law will not apply to short-term plans, health care sharing ministries, and certain Farm Bureau plans. Provider networks may also complicate coverage for services associated with COVID-19. Nearly all private health plans use networks of participating hospitals, doctors, laboratories, and other providers, which could have implications for those in need of coronavirus testing or care, depending on where they present for services. Claims for out-of-network services, other than emergency services, can be denied by HMOs and other plans with closed networks. Under PPO plans that provide some coverage for out-of-network care, patients can be face higher cost sharing. In addition, out-of-network care exposes patients to “balance billing” or surprise bills. What Issues Will Uninsured People Face with Testing and Treatment for COVID-19?  This fact sheet demonstrates how the uninsured are likely to face significant barriers to testing for COVID-19 and any care they may need if they contract the virus. Uninsured individuals who contract COVID-19 and need care will likely receive large medical bills, even if they have low incomes and are unable to pay. One in five uninsured adults went without needed medical care due to cost in 2018. In addition, half of the uninsured do not have a usual place to go when they need medical care. Without a usual source of care, the uninsured may not know where to go to get tested if they think they have been exposed to the virus and may forego testing or care out of fear of having to pay out-of-pocket for the test. Congressional legislation to address the coronavirus pandemic includes provisions to ensure access to free COVID-19 testing for uninsured individuals; however, the legislation does not address coverage of COVID-19 treatment costs for people who are uninsured. Filling the need for trusted information on national health issues, the Kaiser Family Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, California.
Contact: Nikki Lanshaw | (650) 234-9284 | nlanshaw@kff.org Chris Lee | (202) 347-5270 | clee@kff.org
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