March 22, 2020

Dear Colleague,

I am writing to let you know of enhancements we have made to your Duke health plan to provide you and your covered family members additional resources should you need COVID-19 related medical care. This enhancement is applicable for our active health plans (Duke Select, Duke Basic, Duke Options and Blue Care) as well as our retiree health plan, Duke Plus.

Beginning Monday, March 23 through April 26, telehealth coverage has been added to your current Duke health plan to provide you with an additional care option should you have a COVID-19 medical concern. The coverage, provided at a $0 copay through the 24/7 Duke Health Anywhere offers an online-only means of virtually connecting with an on-call provider from any mobile device or computer with a webcam. This service will be available through April 26 to support social distancing practices that protect you and our healthcare providers. Please understand that volumes are heavy right now, and there may be a wait.

This service is in addition to the existing care options you already have through your health plan. If you have a COVID-19 medical concern, you can access this online care 24/7 through the Duke Health website or the Duke Health Anywhere app available through the Apple Store or Google Play, or by calling 1-888-404-1017. You will be asked to complete registration information, and when requested, use COVID19 as your Duke health plan participant coupon code to waive the copay.

In addition, we expanded coverage last week to ensure all COVID-19 lab testing was covered 100 percent by our health plans, and we are working with each of our health plan carriers to implement additional copay waivers as approved in the Family First Coronavirus Response Act that was recently passed.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please let us know at HR-Benefits@duke.edu Thank you and be well.

Sincerely,

Kyle J Cavanaugh
Vice President, Administration