Coverage of COVID-19 testing - end date?

[t.haley]

The FAQs issued on April 11th by the DOL state that health plans will be required to cover COVID-19 testing with no cost-sharing, etc. during the current declared public health emergency relating to COVID-19.  A footnote states that this declared public health emergency is scheduled to end on April 25, 2020 unless extended.  I have been unable to locate any information about an extension.  Am I correct that, absent an extension, health plans may stop covering COVID-19 testing with no cost-sharing on April 26th?

[sharonfoster]

The HHS Secretary's declaration is in effect until the Secretary rescinds the declaration, to a maximum of 90 days (see below). If you check the HHS web page on these declarations you will see that it is common for them to be renewed as needed. I would think this one will be extended.

https://www.phe.gov/emergency/news/healthactions/phe/Pages/default.aspx

42 U.S.C.
United States Code, 2009 Edition
Title 42 - THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
CHAPTER 6A - PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
SUBCHAPTER II - GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES
From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov
§247d. Public health emergencies

(a) Emergencies

If the Secretary determines, after consultation with such public health officials as may be necessary, that—

(1) a disease or disorder presents a public health emergency; or

(2) a public health emergency, including significant outbreaks of infectious diseases or bioterrorist attacks, otherwise exists,

the Secretary may take such action as may be appropriate to respond to the public health emergency, including making grants, providing awards for expenses, and entering into contracts and conducting and supporting investigations into the cause, treatment, or prevention of a disease or disorder as described in paragraphs (1) and (2). Any such determination of a public health emergency terminates upon the Secretary declaring that the emergency no longer exists, or upon the expiration of the 90-day period beginning on the date on which the determination is made by the Secretary, whichever occurs first. Determinations that terminate under the preceding sentence may be renewed by the Secretary (on the basis of the same or additional facts), and the preceding sentence applies to each such renewal. Not later than 48 hours after making a determination under this subsection of a public health emergency (including a renewal), the Secretary shall submit to the Congress written notification of the determination.