CARES Act and WELS VEBA Benefits
The WELS VEBA Commission has approved several enhancements to the WELS VEBA health plan benefits in response to COVID-19 and the ongoing public health emergency. A summary of the enhancements is provided below.
- WELS VEBA will cover, at 100% of the plan’s maximum allowable amount, eligible billed charges for the medically appropriate diagnostic test for detection of the virus that causes COVID-19 and for a provider visit that results in an order for the diagnostic test (including a provider visit that is obtained by telephone or the internet). This benefit will be provided for the duration of the COVID-19 national public health emergency.
- WELS VEBA will cover, at 100% of the plan’s maximum allowable amount, eligible billed charges for covered medical services to treat COVID-19 for a member who is diagnosed with COVID-19. This benefit will be provided from April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020.
- WELS VEBA will cover, at 100% of the maximum allowable amount, eligible billed charges for telephone and internet consultations obtained at Anthem LiveHealth Online providers. This benefit will be provided from March 18, 2020 through December 31, 2020.
- WELS VEBA will cover, up to the plan’s maximum allowable amount and subject to deductible and coinsurance, eligible billed charges for telephone and internet consultations obtained at providers that are not part of Anthem LiveHealth Online. This benefit will be provided from March 18, 2020 through December 31, 2020.