Sendero waives Covid-19 costs

Sendero Health Plans, the nonprofit health care plan organized by Central Health to serve the Austin area, has waived all costs for Covid-19 treatment for members using in-network providers. Sendero’s board of directors approved the change at an April 1 meeting, making it the first plan in the Affordable Care Act’s marketplace to waive all cost-sharing requirements related to Covid-19. The company also waived copayment fees for in-network doctor visits and lab costs to screen for the disease. In March, Sendero conducted outreach calls to more than 10 percent of its members, based on data for which populations were most likely to be affected by the virus, including low-income individuals and those who had formerly been uninsured and enrolled in Central Health’s Medical Access Program. The company is also providing free prescription delivery from larger pharmacies and early refills on maintenance medications, and is extending submission deadlines for provider claims.