McKeon, Bramnick & Chaparro Bill to Require Health Insurance and Medicaid Coverage for Coronavirus Testing and Related Telehealth Services Goes to Governor

Bipartisan Measure Part of Assembly’s Legislative Response to COVID-19

(TRENTON) – To ensure that no New Jerseyan feels the need to delay diagnostic testing for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as order by their doctor, a measure to require health carriers and insurance plans, including Medicaid, to provide coverage for testing with no cost-sharing obligations was given final legislative approval by the Senate on Thursday. It now heads to the Governor’s desk.

The bill (A-3843) would also require coverage of telemedicine and telehealth services for the period of the emergency declared under Executive Order 103 of 2020.

Bipartisan sponsors of the bill, Assemblyman John McKeon (D-Essex, Morris), Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick (R-Morris, Somerset, Union) and Annette Chaparro (D-Hudson), released the following joint statement:

“We need to be doing everything to protect public health and safety. There is a lot we cannot confirm about the trajectory of COVID-19, but increasing the accessibility of testing is the most critical first step. People should not be feeling the need to avoid medical care in New Jersey for fear of what it could cost them.

“Encouraged by the insurers already waiving co-pays for coronavirus testing, it’s imperative that every single New Jersey resident is afforded the same, equal access regardless of their insurance provider or plan.”

The bill was advanced by the full Assembly 64-0-1 on Monday March 16, 2020.

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