White House Strikes Major Deal with Health Insurance Providers on Coronavirus Testing

Americans today are beginning to panic, albeit in small doses.

A persistent and pervasive virus known as COVID-19 is sweeping across the globe, leaving a trail of illness and death in its wake.  The Far East has been undeniably ravaged by this novel strain of the coronavirus, with thousands dead and over 100,000 infected.

Italy is experiencing similar devastation, prompting the national government to enforce a strict quarantine of virtually the entire nation.

In the US, the bark has been worse than the bite thus far, with approximately two dozen deaths only, largely from at-risk populations such as the elderly.  Now, in an effort to curb the virus’ spread, the White House has struck a major deal with health insurance providers throughout the nation.

President Donald Trump spoke about the ongoing fight against the spread of coronavirus and the economic effect it was having on the United States during a meeting with Vice President Mike Pence and the leaders of health insurance companies at the White House.

Company officials from Anthem, UnitedHealth Group, Humana, Centene Corporation, Americas Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), Express Scripts and Cigna Services, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, CVS Health, and the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. attended the meeting with the president.

Pence said that the leaders of the health insurance companies present for the meeting had agreed to waive co-pays for coronavirus testing, to extend coverage for coronavirus treatment, and to cover telemedicine and no surprise billing on coronavirus testing.

“We want the American people to know that they are covered through private insurance, they are covered through Medicare and Medicaid, and there will be no surprise billing,” Pence said.

President Trump would go on to say that his administration is also working closely with the airline and cruise industries, who are struggling mightily as Americans continue to cancel travel plans on account of the near-pandemic.