Pre-Deductible Telehealth Coverage Extended for HDHPs

Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), HSA-qualifying high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) could provide first-dollar telehealth services or other remote-care services without jeopardizing an individual’s HSA eligibility.  This optional provision is not limited to COVID-19-related remote-care services, and it expires on the first day of the first plan year beginning on or after January 1, 2022 – or December 31, 2021 for calendar-year plans.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 – signed into law March 15 – extended this relief for telehealth services for the months of April through December 2022.  For some HDHPs, this relief leaves a gap without telehealth relief in place, e.g., from January 2022 through March 2022 for calendar-year HDHPs.  Plans must be amended and SBCs updated to take advantage of this relief.

Contact ASR Health Benefits at (616) 957-1751 or (800) 968-2449 for more information on this relief.