Recognizing the unprecedented circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, University Human Resources is trying to anticipate the needs of the U-M community and respond with supportive measures to meet those needs.
Telemedicine appointment coverage
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To help ensure employees have access to needed health care during the pandemic, members covered under all of U-M’s health plans now have coverage for virtual medical and behavioral health visits.
Cost sharing — copays, deductibles or coinsurance — is waived for virtual medical visits through April 30. Health plan members will continue to pay cost sharing for virtual behavioral health visits.
Although telemedicine has been covered through U-M’s Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Community Blue PPO and Comprehensive Major Medical plans for some time, this coverage was recently extended to the U-M Premier Care and GradCare plans.
Employees should contact their physician to determine the availability of telemedicine visits.
Advance prescription refills
The Benefits Office also has implemented a prescription drug refill override for prescription drug plan members. Employees can receive up to a 90-day supply of maintenance medication in advance of usual refill schedules, provided refills are available.
Under normal circumstances, employees must wait until 75 percent of their current fill has been used. This limit has been temporarily removed.
Online retirement consultations
U-M’s financial partners for retirement investing, TIAA and Fidelity Investments, have increased their safety practices by suspending in-person visits, as well.
U-M employees continue to receive free, one-on-one financial counseling in a virtual forum or by phone. Most services remain available through virtual, phone, email, chat and other interactive formats.
TIAA and Fidelity also offer a number of live and on-demand webinars. Go to fidelity.com or TIAA.org for more information.
Monique Wilhelm
I am extremely thankful to our HR staff for working hard and quick to protect faculty and staff through this pandemic. There is enough stress without having to worry about not having a paycheck or benefits during this time.