The coronavirus pandemic has impacted all of us in unforeseen ways. At the Board of Pensions, we are committed to serving and supporting our members and employers during this difficult time. Explore these COVID-19 resources from us and our partners as well as information about the impact on benefits, including medical coverage for COVID-19 testing and treatment, telemedicine, approved vaccines, and more.
Under a new initiative starting April 4, 2022, Medicare will cover up to eight over-the-counter (OTC) home COVID-19 tests each calendar month at $0 cost to members. If you are enrolled in the Medicare Supplement Plan, you can get your $0 cost OTC home COVID-19 tests through Medicare by presenting your Medicare card at any participating pharmacy. The pharmacy will bill Medicare on your behalf, and you pay $0. Read more about the Medicare initiative.
In addition, the Medical Plan will cover up to eight over-the-counter (OTC) home COVID-19 tests approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in a 30-day period when purchased on or after January 15, 2022. Simply present your prescription drug ID card when buying an OTC home COVID-19 test at the pharmacy counter of a participating Express Scripts pharmacy and you won't be charged a copay. You can also use Express Scripts Pharmacy home delivery service to get your eight tests with no copay. Read more about this coverage, including certain limits that may apply.
In response to COVID-19, changes have been made to Medical Plan benefits related to COVID-19 testing and treatment, telemedicine, approved vaccines, and more.
Learn about updates to the Medical Plan.
As a result of legislation passed in response to the COVID-19 crisis, updates have been made to certain flexible spending account eligible expenses.
Learn about updates to these accounts.
The Employee Assistance Plan (EAP), administered by Cigna Behavioral Health, is available to members with medical coverage* through the Board of Pensions, their families, and anyone who lives with them. Through the EAP, you have access to six private counseling sessions with a licensed clinician in Cigna's EAP network. These sessions can be virtual on your phone, tablet, or home computer, or face-to-face.
For retired members not enrolled in the Medicare Supplement Plan and employees not eligible for the EAP, Cigna is offering a separate 24-hour toll-free help line. Call 866-912-1687 to connect with qualified clinicians, including licensed social workers, professional counselors, and psychologists, who can provide support and guidance.
*The EAP is not available to members enrolled in Triple-S or GeoBlue.
When the American Dental Association lifts restrictions on non-urgent/emergency care, Aetna, the administrator of dental coverage through the Board of Pensions, will provide a three-month grace period for certain services which, under normal circumstances, would no longer be eligible for coverage.
Learn about updates to the Dental Plan.
If you have questions or need assistance about the benefits provided by the Board or any of our partners, contact us.