May 1, 2020

To Our Valued Clients and Partners,

This is our ninth weekly COVID-19 update. Since our update last Friday, the United States COVID-19 confirmed case count surpassed 1 million, and the US two month death toll surpassed the US lives lost over a twenty-year span in Vietnam. While this pandemic continues to test our nation, it’s also teaching all of us how to come together, how to move forward, and how to thrive in new and innovative ways. 
 
We know that you are inundated with COVID-19 emails. Going forward, we will publish our COVID-19 updates on a bi-weekly cadence unless something substantive happens in the interim that affects your Plan. Today's update topics include:
 
  • COVID-19 Client Impact Reports now available
  • Benefit change request form reminder
  • Trends we are seeing 
COVID-19 Impact Reports now available
Three weeks ago we shared with you a preview of our new COVID-10 Client Impact Report. We are committed to providing you the information and insights to help get ahead and stay ahead of this pandemic and its impact on your employees’ health and your business.
 
We’ve posted the first quarterly COVID-19 Client Impact reports to BenefitFocus. They are available now for groups to pick up. Please contact your Account Manager if you’d like to have your report sent to you or if have any questions about the information in your report. We hope you find these reports helpful and we welcome your feedback. Here’s what you’ll see on your report:
Benefit change request form reminder
This is our gentle reminder that we need your benefit change request forms back in order to process your members’ COVID-19 related claims and to be in compliance with the provisions of Division F, H.R.6201 - Families First Coronavirus Response Act passed on March 18, 2020. This Act requires 100% coverage for COVID-19 diagnostic testing. We are holding claims for your members if your forms aren’t returned. Please return the forms as soon as possible and reach out to your Account Manager if you have any questions about the forms.
Trends we are seeing
We’ve seen an uptick in the scheduling of elective procedures. Hospitals and outpatient surgical centers in most states will resume some degree of elective procedures over the next two to three weeks.
 
Diagnostic and antibody testing continue to be hot topics. Many employers are interested in how they can or should incorporate testing into their future return to work planning scenarios. The efficacy, availability, and recommended uses of these tests evolve daily. We are closely monitoring these developments. We are also looking to support employers as they assess their return to work strategies by building a resource list of vendors in this space. We aren’t planning to offer a testing service.  Oregon , Utah , and Idaho launched public testing programs recently. Governor Jay Inslee has activated 1500 National Guardsman in Washington state to serve as rapid response COVID-19 contact-tracers. Public health officials are increasing their focus on technology-enabled contact tracing in combination with testing as the latest way to help tackle the spread of the coronavirus and stave off a second wave in the fall.
 
We continue to see a steady volume of diagnostic testing claims across our business and anticipate that volume to remain steady for the near future.
 
We’re Here for You  
 
Our focus, dedication, and support remain steadfast as we navigate these unique times with you. Know that our Care Management nurse are reaching out to those members diagnosed with COVID-19  to help them access the care and resources they need to recover safely. Thank you for your continued trust in our organization. We hope you and your loved ones remain safe and healthy. Please reach out to your Account Manager if you have any questions or if there’s anything we can do to help. 

Best Regards,

Lindsay Harris
Chief Growth Officer
HMA - Proving What’s Possible in Healthcare ®