The COVID-19 Update
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Diagnostic COVID-19 Test Costs Covered by Insurance
Consumer Alert: Diagnostic COVID-19 Test Costs Covered by Insurance Plans
Michigan is working to ensure that anyone who needs a COVID-19 test can get one. Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) are alerting Michiganders that diagnostic COVID-19 testing for those who meet testing criteria should be covered by most health insurance plans without any out-of-pocket cost. There are various ways that costs for the test may be covered, and resources are available to help answer questions.
As of March 2020, federal law requires most insurance plans to cover — at no out-of-pocket cost — diagnostic COVID-19 testing and related services provided by a health care provider. These plans include individual and group health insurance plans offered on and off the Health Insurance Marketplace, employer-based plans, non-federal governmental plans, and church plans. Related services that are covered at no cost include office visits (both in-person and telehealth), urgent care visits, and emergency department visits that are related to testing for COVID-19.
Consumers with health insurance seeking COVID-19 testing should contact their insurance company to find out what is covered if they plan to be tested at a site that requires payment up front or indicates they will be billed for the test. Some insurance companies may be required, for tax reasons, to reimburse consumers for out-of-pocket costs, rather than paying those costs directly to health care providers.
Insured consumers who pay up front or receive a bill for COVID-19 testing should contact their insurance company for assistance. Consumers who are unable to resolve the issue with their insurance company can contact DIFS for assistance Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 877-999-6442, or file a complaint at Michigan.gov/DIFScomplaints.
In accordance with federal law, consumers with Medicaid or Medicare may also receive a no-cost COVID-19 test and related services provided by a health care provider. Medicare beneficiaries who believe they have been charged inappropriately may contact 800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227); Medicaid beneficiaries should contact 800-642-3195.
To find a testing site, visit Michigan.gov/coronavirustest or call 888-535-6136.
Information around the COVID-19 outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
Oakland County Executive Biweekly Newsletter
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Bottle Deposit Returns to Phase Back In
Treasury: Bottle Deposit Returns to Phase Back In; Bottle Return Facilities to Resume Operations on June 15
Contact: Ron Leix 517-335-2167
Today, Treasury issued a Notice Regarding Phased Reestablishment of Michigan’s Bottle Deposit Return Program. Beginning June 15, 2020, some retailers must reopen their bottle return facilities and resume the collection of returnable beverage containers and refund of customer bottle deposits. This applies to retailers with bottle return facilities located at the front of the store or housed in a separate area and serviced exclusively by reverse vending machines requiring minimal or no person-to-person contact.
Retailers reopening their bottle return facilities must ensure those facilities comply with all state-mandated safety protocols and restrictions, including the most recent state-mandated safeguards to protect workers.
In addition, retailers may take any or all of the following steps:
- Limit the number of beverage containers that may be returned by a single individual per day to a deposit refund amount of $25, pursuant to MCL 445.572(10).
- Establish special or limited hours of operation for bottle return facilities.
- Limit the number of available and operating reverse vending machines.
- Periodically close bottle deposit facilities as needed for cleaning and supply management.
- Implement such other procedures or restrictions as each retailer may determine are necessary or advisable to promote safety and/or efficiency.
During this initial phase, retailers must limit the volume of weekly returned beverage containers to no more than 140 percent of their average weekly collection volume for the period April and May 2019.
Consumers have the option of recycling their returnable beverage containers if they choose not to return them to a bottle deposit redemption facility.
Treasury will issue further guidance regarding additional phases of the reestablishment of the bottle deposit program in the near future.
The collection of returnable beverage containers was temporarily suspended via Executive Order No. 2020-21, issued by Governor Whitmer on March 23, 2020. The temporary suspension supported Michigan’s fight against the coronavirus by permitting grocery stores and other retailers to immediately shift employees from container collection and deposit redemption duties to other areas where they were more urgently needed, and to protect the health and safety of retailers, their employees, and all Michigan citizens.
Questions regarding the phase-in of the reestablished bottle return program can be directed to [email protected].
To stay informed on the latest information from Treasury follow the state Treasury Department on Twitter at @MITreasury.
Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
Bridge beam setting to close Rochester Road
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Rob Morosi, MDOT Office of Communications, 248-483-5107, [email protected]
Bridge beam setting to close Rochester Road under I-75 starting Wednesday in Oakland County
Fast facts: – Starting Wednesday morning, crews will begin setting bridge beams on the southbound I-75 bridge over Rochester Road. – Rochester Road will close under I-75 daily starting at 9 a.m. and ending by 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, and Thursday, June 4. – The northbound I-75 exit and entrance ramps at Rochester Road will be closed at the same time for safety reasons.
June 2, 2020 — Weather permitting, Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) contracting crews will be closing both directions of Rochester Road under I-75 to set bridge beams 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily on Wednesday, June 3, and Thursday, June 4. During the beam setting operation, the northbound I-75 exit and entrance ramps at Rochester Road will be closed for safety reasons.
During the closure, detours for Rochester Road will be posted in each direction using Livernois, Maple, and Big Beaver roads. Northbound I-75 traffic can exit at 14 Mile or Adams roads. Access to northbound I-75 will be maintained at Crooks Road/Corporate Drive.
Follow I-75 modernization progress on the web at www.Modernize75.com, or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Modernize75 or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Modernize75.
ESSENTIAL WORK: This road construction project is an essential function. Transportation workers in the field follow Centers for Disease Control guidelines to limit their risk of getting sick. |
