Please review the current special benefit provisions outlined below.
Although updated COVID-19 vaccines are available at many pharmacies, access remains limited. If you wish to get a vaccine, please contact your network vaccination pharmacy or your doctor’s office.
Contract College Plans: NYSHIP
NYSHIP Virtual Care (Telemedicine)
EMPIRE PLAN
Empire offers LiveHealth Online to allow you to access care on your smartphone, tablet, or personal computer, with a board-certified doctor or licensed therapist. A $0 copay applies for in-network providers. If using out-of-network providers, reimbursement is 80% of reasonable and customary charges after deductible. Empire does not maintain a list of providers who have agreed to offer telehealth, but you can speak to your provider to see if they offer telehealth services. To register for LiveHealth Online, go to www.empireblue.com/nys to access and enter your Empire Plan identification number and name exactly as they appear on your identification card. This will ensure you and your covered dependents receive care, free of charge.
HMO-BLUE CNY
HMO-Blue CNY offers MDLive to allow you to access care on your smartphone, tablet, or personal computer, with a board- certified doctor or licensed therapist. A $0 copay applies for in-network providers. Instructions on how to register for MDLive and schedule a visit can be found at https://www.excellusbcbs.com/find-a-doctor/telemedicine.
MVP
MVP offers myVisitNow to allow you to access care on your smartphone, tablet, or personal computer, using in-network providers, with a board-certified doctor or licensed therapist. A $0 copay applies for in-network providers. To register, log in at https://myvisitnow.com/landing.htm, and choose My Account.
COVID-19 Lab Testing
EMPIRE PLAN
Normal plan cost-share applies, including deductible.
HMO-BLUE CNY
Members pay $0.
MVP
Normal plan cost-share applies, including deductible.
COVID-19 Over-the-counter (OTC) Self-Test Kit
EMPIRE PLAN
COVID-19over-the-counter (OTC) tests are not to be covered.
Questions: If you have any questions, please call The Empire Plan at 1-877-7-NYSHIP (1-877-769-7447) and select option 1 for the Empire Plan Medical Program, or option 4 for the Empire Plan Prescription Drug Program. Representatives for the Medical Program (UHC) are available Monday-Friday, from 8:00a.m. to 4:30p.m., ET. Representatives for the Prescription Drug Program (CVS Caremark) are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
HMO-BLUE CNY
COVID-19over-the-counter (OTC) tests are not covered.
MVP
COVID-19over-the-counter (OTC) tests are not covered.
COVID-19 Vaccines & Boosters
EMPIRE PLAN
Members pay $0 for in-network physician or in-network pharmacy.
HMO-BLUE CNY
Members pay $0 for in-network physician or in-network pharmacy.
MVP
Members pay $0 for in-network physician or in-network pharmacy.
Endowed Plans: Aetna and OptumRx
Aetna Virtual Care (Telemedicine)
2023 coverage detail (no PHE impact)
AETNA
Teletherapy with an Aetna participating provider for telephonic, audio or video services related to outpatient Behavioral & Mental Health care are covered at 100%*.
Contact your current provider or call the Aetna dedicated behavioral health line at 800-424-4047 (TTY: 711) for help finding providers, confirming availability, confirming in-person or teletherapy services, etc.
*Note: Aetna HDHP w/ HSA members will continue paying their applicable copay, coinsurance, and/or deductible.
Telemedicine services (other than Behavioral & Mental Health care) normal co-payments/coinsurance apply based on medical necessity and participating provider network.
Contact your current medical provider to see if telephonic or televideo services would be an option for you or go to www.aetna.com or call 877-371-2007 (TTY:711) to find an Aetna telemedicine provider.
COVID-19 Lab Testing
Active Plans: CPHL, WCMPPO, HDHP w/HSA
COVID lab testing, ordered by a physician, is covered under the plans, subject to the plan’s outpatient lab benefit (deductible/coinsurance).
COVID-19 Vaccines & Boosters
AETNA
Aetna Pre-Medicare Health Plan
COVID lab testing, ordered by a physician, is covered under the plans, subject to the plan’s outpatient lab benefit (deductible/coinsurance).. Normal plan cost-share applies with out-of-network providers.
Test must be ordered by a physician or certain other health care providers, such as physician assistants and nurse practitioners. The cost for members would be the $25 – Diagnostic Testing Copay.
OPTUMRX
Members pay $0 for the COVID-19 vaccine at any pharmacy.
COVID-19 Over-the-counter (OTC) Self-Test Kit
Reimbursement is no longer available under Aetna or OptumRx, please consider utilizing an Inspira Financial healthcare flexible spending account (if applicable).
Inspira Financial Spending Accounts
Using your Inspira Medical Care Flexible Spending Account (MCFSA)
The MCFSA funds can be used to purchase over-the-counter (OTC) Self-Test Kits with no quantity limit.
Using your Inspira Health Spending Account (HSA)
The HSA funds can be used to purchase over-the-counter (OTC) Self-Test Kits with no quantity limit. Please be sure to review your insurance plans to find out if there is coverage of the OTC kits under the plan. If there is coverage, HSA should only be used to reimburse expenses after claims have been processed through insurance.
Contribution Rules and Claim Deadlines
To review the contribution rules and claim deadlines information for the Healthcare and Dependent Care accounts, please see our page on Flexible Spending Accounts:
For reimbursement benefits processed under Cornell University's various plans, in the case of a discrepancy between this summary and the official Plan Document(s), the Plan Document(s) will take precedence.
