West Twin Cities

Patient cost-sharing for treatments and hospitalizations for COVID-19 will be dropped by six Minnesota health insurers. 

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, HealthPartners, UCare, Hennepin Health, Medica and PreferredOne health insurers have all agreed to drop the patient cost-sharing for coronavirus-related hospital visits, according to Twin Cities Pioneer Press.

The Minnesota Council of Health Plans issued a press release on Thursday, April 2, announcing that the health insurers were waiving COVID-19 fees, according to Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. 

"The health and safety of Minnesotans are the highest priorities of the nonprofit plans we represent," Lucas Nesse, president and CEO of the the Minnesota Council of Health Plans said in the release. "Uniform access to appropriate and affordable treatment is critical to controlling the scope of the pandemic, particularly for those with underlying medical conditions."

On March 13, Gov. Tim Walz had Commissioners of Health and Commerce send a letter to the six health insurers asking them to remove any barriers for COVID-19 coverage while the outbreak persists. 

The insurers began small by waiving specific fees for COVID-19 testing and tele-health, but eventually began removing more costs.  

These six major Minnesota health issuers will now be waiving any fees subjected to patients that relate to COVID-19, Walz said in a statement. This includes treatment, care and coronavirus hospitalizations. 

Any Minnesota resident with commercial insurance such as individuals, small businesses and select large businesses, can now receive coronavirus testing free of charge.

All costs will be waived through May 31.

Tele-health is also being expanded throughout the state, which will allow residents without COVID-19 symptoms to receive medical help from home, Twin Cities Pioneer Press reported. 

Since the state doesn't have authority over health insurers, Walz said individuals who receive health insurance through their employers aren't covered by this, but Walz is "encouraging employers to work with their plan administrator to implement similar measures," according to Bring Me the News.