On Wednesday, March 18, 2020 Governor Raimondo announced an executive order that requires health insurance companies to cover all medically-appropriate telemedicine visits done telephonically, temporarily during the COVID-19 emergency. Previously, only primary and behavioral health care services were covered via telephone, but this new order expands coverage to any medically-appropriate visit type.
Neighborhood has expanded telemedicine coverage for all members to include clinically appropriate and medically necessary services to support you in accessing care. If your plan usually has co pays, deductibles or other cost-sharing, you will not need to pay for the services outlined below.
Neighborhood will cover telemedicine/telephonic services provided by the following provider types:
- Primary care physicians
- All Medical Specialists – defined as any MD, DO, NP and PA
- Optometrists
- Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (DPM’s)
- Lactation Consultants
- Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapists
- Diabetes Educators
- Nutritionists
- Midwifes
- Urgent Care Centers
- Emergency Departments
- Retail Based Clinics
Your telemedicine visit with your providers can be done through Apple FaceTime, Facebook Messenger video chat, Google Hangouts video, Skype or telephonically.
If you suspect you have COVID-19, contact your provider. Neighborhood will cover the cost for telemedicine/telephone-only services if you suspect you have COVID-19 and are contacting your provider to evaluate your symptoms for COVID-19. If your plan usually has co pays, deductibles or other cost-sharing, you will not need to pay for this service.