Matt Lesser

Senator Lesser Releases Statement in Support of ‘No-Cost’ Life Insurance Coverage for Health Care Workers on COVID-19 Front Lines

Today, State Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown), Senate Chair of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee, applauded Connecticut insurers who agreed to waive all cost-sharing for treatment of COVID-19, in addition to testing. Individuals with fully insured plans, including those with high-deductible health care plans, will not have to pay copays or deductibles in the unfortunate event of contracting COVID-19.

“Connecticut residents should know that in most cases they can access coronavirus testing and – importantly – treatment without worrying about copays, deductibles or cost-sharing,” said Sen. Lesser. “This is absolutely critical to controlling the virus in Connecticut. Absolutely nobody should go without testing or treatment because they can’t afford it. All fully insured plans in Connecticut have now waived deductibles and cost-sharing and self-insured plans are moving in that direction. If you are covered by a self-insured plan, please check with your employer or ASO.”

In recent weeks, health care insurers announced they were waiving cost-sharing of testing for COVID-19. These additional agreements to waive cost-sharing provides Connecticut residents with a growing sense of security, especially with the dangerous potential consequences of COVID-19 infection. With costs of COVID-19 infection reported to be significant, this protective move will ensure Connecticut patients can receive the care they need, protecting them from financial harm and preserving public health by ensuring infected individuals do not continue to work or risk going without necessary treatment.

The state is also calling on insurance providers with plans for self-employed individuals to make the waiving of cost-sharing universal. Some insurers are utilizing opt-out policies for those policy holders, putting them at increased risk.