Health Plan Responses to COVID-19

Abstract

The health insurance industry is responding to COVID-19 by paying for testing and treatment, and working with providers to assure that coverage for proper care is available. Many people are losing employment and potentially health insurance coverage, shifting the responsibility for payment among private sector and government payers. The unbudgeted costs of COVID-19 care will be substantial. At the same time, providers are postponing routine care and treatments that are not time-sensitive, reducing or deferring similarly substantial sums. The balance of payments is uncertain, though likely to favor health plans in the short run.

Keywords: COVID-19, health insurance, finance