TELADOC HEALTH, INC. During these difficult times, while many things feel uncertain, we want to provide reassurance that Nippon Life Benefits continues to stand behind its members and partners by continuing to operate and provide access to important benefits and assistance in navigating the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nippon Life Benefits is well prepared for the challenges brought on by the pandemic. In an effort to protect our staff and best serve our customers, we have implemented processes and procedures that include remote work capabilities. These changes will ensure our clients and insureds continue to receive an uninterrupted and high level of service to which they are accustomed. Below you will find a link to a service letter from our CEO with information on steps Nippon Life Benefits is taking to be able assist during the pandemic, along with an Employer FAQ.
Service Letter Employer FAQ
Please continue to check this page frequently. We will keep you informed of additional steps we take to protect our customers and employees.
To view and download more information on the Coronavirus and how claims will be handled, choose one of the following language versions below:
What is covered under my health plan?
Effective immediately, Nippon Life Benefits will waive in-network and out-of-network cost-sharing (including, but not limited to, co-pays, deductibles and co-insurance) for screening and testing for COVID-19. This waiver of cost-sharing also applies to in-network and out-of-network hospital, emergency department, urgent care and provider office visits where the purpose of the visit is to be screened and/or tested for COVID-19. We will also cover the treatment of COVID-19 in accordance with and governed by the insured person's Nippon Life Benefit's booklet-certificate and applicable law - notably, if we do not have a health care provider in an insured person's network with the appropriate training and experience to meet the particular health care needs of the insured, an insured may visit an out-of-network provider at the in-network cost-sharing level, in accordance with the insured person's booklet-certificate.
Medication Access through
In an effort to ensure necessary medications are provided as needed, members can access short-term resources through CVS/Caremark.
As of March, 9th, 2020, all Nippon Life Benefits members will have access to a 90-day supply of maintenance medication prescriptions, and early refill limits will be waived on 30-day prescriptions at all in network pharmacies. In addition, CVS Pharmacies will waive charges for home delivery of prescription medications to help patients avoid visiting their local
https://cvshealth.com/newsroom/press-releases/cvs-health-response-coronavirus-outbreak
Given that COVID-19 is a communicable disease, in an effort to limit group interaction, we encourage the use of
Nippon Life Benefits values member health above all. Therefore, effective
Network Provider Considerations
We are working closely with all our provider network partners to monitor the impact to their participating providers that are rapidly adapting to emerging federal, state and local mandates. We fully expect that we will continue to see some provider offices closing temporarily or limiting office services or hours. Because of the continuous volume of changes, the Provider Locator tools of our provider network partners may not reflect the current status of each provider office. As a result, we strongly encourage you to contact the provider directly prior to any appointments to verify office hours and appointment status.
Short Term Disability Eligibility
COVID-19 related illnesses are handled the same as any other illness and will be considered according to the applicable plan provisions.
Is there a treatment for the coronavirus?
To date, there is no vaccine and no specific antiviral medicine to prevent or treat COVID-19. However, those affected should receive care to relieve symptoms. People with serious illness should be hospitalized. Most patients recover thanks to supportive care.
In the event an immunization becomes available for COVID-19 and is recommended for children through the attainment of 19 years-of-age, we will cover the immunization at no cost-sharing for insured children through the attainment of 19 years-of-age. In the event an immunization is recommended for COVID-19 for adults who are 19 years-of-age and older, we will cover the immunization immediately for these insured persons at no cost-sharing.
What is COVID-19-The New Coronavirus?
COVID-19 is a virus that has been identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness originating in
How does it spread?
Through the air by coughing or sneezing
Close personal contact with an infected individual3
Symptoms
Reported illnesses have ranged from people being mildly sick to people being severely ill and even death.
Symptoms can include:
Fever
Cough
Shortness of Breath
Symptoms may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 after exposure.4
This information is based on currently available data and that our understanding and approach may change as we learn more about the virus.
Reducing Your Risk
Currently, there are no vaccines available to protect against the most recent strain of the coronavirus, however, there are steps you can take to better reduce the risk for yourself and loved ones.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid contact with others who are sick5
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Actively encourage sick employees to stay home:
Employees who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness are recommended to stay home and not come to work until they are free of fever (100.4-degree F [37.8-degree C] or greater using an oral thermometer), signs of a fever, and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g. cough suppressants). Employees should notify their supervisor and stay home if they are sick.
Ensure that your sick leave policies are flexible and consistent with public health guidance and that employees are aware of these policies.
Talk with companies that provide your business with contract or temporary employees about the importance of sick employees staying home and encourage them to develop non-punitive leave policies.
Do not require a healthcare provider's note for employees who are sick with acute respiratory illness to validate their illness or to return to work, as healthcare provider offices and medical facilities may be extremely busy and not able to provide such documentation in a timely way.
Employers should maintain flexible policies that permit employees to stay home to care for a sick family member. Employers should be aware that more employees may need to stay at home to care for sick children or other sick family members than is usual.
Separate sick employees:
Emphasize staying home when sick, respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene by all employees:
Place posters that encourage staying home when sick, cough and sneeze etiquette, and hand hygiene at the entrance to your workplace and in other workplace areas where they are likely to be seen.
Provide tissues and no-touch disposal receptacles for use by employees.
Instruct employees to clean their hands often with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60-95% alcohol, or wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Soap and water should be used preferentially if hands are visibly dirty.
Provide soap and water and alcohol-based hand rubs in the workplace. Ensure that adequate supplies are maintained. Place hand rubs in multiple locations or in conference rooms to encourage hand hygiene.
Visit the coughing and sneezing etiquette and clean hands webpage for more information.
Perform routine environmental cleaning:
Routinely clean all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace, such as workstations, countertops, and doorknobs. Use the cleaning agents that are usually used in these areas and follow the directions on the label.
No additional disinfection beyond routine cleaning is recommended at this time.
Provide disposable wipes so that commonly used surfaces (for example, doorknobs, keyboards, remote controls, desks) can be wiped down by employees before each use.
Advise employees before traveling to take certain steps:
Check the
Advise employees to check themselves for symptoms of acute respiratory illness before starting travel and notify their supervisor and stay home if they are sick.
Ensure employees who become sick while traveling or on temporary assignment understand that they should notify their supervisor and should promptly call a healthcare provider for advice if needed.
If outside
Additional Measures in Response to Currently Occurring Sporadic Importations of the COVID-19:
Employees who are well but who have a sick family member at home with COVID-19 should notify their supervisor and refer to
If an employee is confirmed to have COVID-19, employers should inform fellow employees of their possible exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace but maintain confidentiality as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Employees exposed to a co-worker with confirmed COVID-19 should refer to
Travel Restrictions
The
Treatment Information for Other Coronaviruses
There are no specific treatments for illnesses caused by human coronaviruses. Most people with common human coronavirus illness will recover on their own. However, you can do some things to relieve your symptoms:
Take pain and fever medications (Caution: do not give Aspirin to children)
Use a room humidifier or take a hot shower to help ease a sore throat and cough
If you are mildly sick, you should:
Drink plenty of liquids
Stay home and rest
If you are concerned about your symptoms, you should see your healthcare provider.
Please note that the information provided does not replace counsel from a physician. If you are experiencing symptoms, please see an in-network doctor. More information can be found at the links below:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/about/index.html
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
1https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html
2https://edition.cnn.com/asia/live-news/coronavirus-outbreak-01-30-20-intl-hnk/index.html
3https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/transmission.html
4https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/symptoms.html
5https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html
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