Matt Lesser

Sen. Lesser Applauds New Insurance Department Coronavirus Guidelines

Guidelines Follow Letter from Lesser Seeking Relief for Patients

HARTFORD, CT – Today, state Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) applauded the Connecticut Insurance Department (CID) and CID Commissioner Andrew Mais for issuing a bulletin urging all health insurance companies and health care centers to cover the costs of any novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing and/or treatment.

“Not everybody should be tested for coronavirus, but copays and deductibles shouldn’t stop anybody from getting tested when appropriate or getting the care that they need,” said Sen. Lesser. “I’m grateful to Commissioner Mais and Governor Lamont for issuing this bulletin and as co-Chair of the Insurance & Real Estate Committee, I will be scrutinizing the industry for compliance.”

Last Friday, the senator reached out to Commissioner Mais, urging the CID to issue this bulletin. Connecticut Senate Democrats and Governor Ned Lamont also issued such bulletins.
Currently, ConnectiCare, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna CVS, Anthem Health, United Healthcare and Emblem Health have agreed to waive out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 testing for individuals who purchase their policies, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid patients. California, New York, Vermont and Maryland have instructed insurers to cover COVID-19 testing costs.

The CID’s bulletin states the following: “In light of the recent novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, it is the position of the Connecticut Insurance Department that all health insurance companies and health care centers authorized to conduct business in Connecticut are encouraged to handle individual and group health insurance claims, until such time as the Insurance Commissioner deems otherwise.”

As of March 9, there have been two confirmed cases of Connecticut residents testing positive for COVID-19.

About Matt Lesser: Sen. Lesser was first elected in 2018 to represent the ninth Senate District which consists of Cromwell, Middletown, Newington, Rocky Hill and Wethersfield. Prior to being elected to the State Senate, he was a State Representative for the city of Middletown. He has been a principle author of Connecticut’s Student Loan Bill of Rights, the first in the nation, a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing waste and a major workplace safety law later adapted as a national standard. He has been honored by the Connecticut chapter of the AARP and has been named a champion by the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters.