Will I Have to Pay for Testing?

Rules on how testing is paid for vary by state. In New York, testing is free if you go to a testing site run by the state. In New Jersey, testing at state-run sites is also free, but the state may bill your insurance company for reimbursement. For testing at sites operated by local governments, private companies including pharmacies and other healthcare providers, you should check with the testing site and your medical plan in advance of being tested to confirm that you will not be responsible for any out-of-pocket costs. Contact information is available at the bottom of this page.

Because of the risk that health care workers face serving patients, federal and state regulations may require testing for health care workers. Required testing based on your occupation, or due to a work-related incidence, are not covered by your medical plan and will be paid by VNSNY—or by New York State if you use a state-run testing site.

• Under VNSNY’s, the UFT-administered and 1199-administered medical plans, diagnostic and antibody testing (including associated provider costs such as an office or telemedicine visit) are covered at 100%* with no patient out-of-pocket costs, provided the tests were ordered by a provider (a doctor, pharmacist, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant). This includes both network and out-of-network providers. Where possible, you should use network providers, since you could be responsible for balance billing if an out-of-network provider’s charges exceed reasonable and customary limits.
• For testing at pharmacies, show your medical ID card, not your prescription drug ID card.
• Self-referred testing by a lab (e.g., for antibody testing) without a provider referral is not covered under most medical plans.

If you have questions regarding your VNSNY medical plans, please contact HRConnect using the AskHR portal. You can also contact your medical plans as follows:

• VNSNY Empire PPO options for MAP and LPNs: 800-342-9816
• VNSNY HIP HMO option: 800-HIP-TALK
• UFT-Administered Empire PPO plan for RNs: 212-982-5547
• 1199-administered plan: 646-973-9200

Note: VNSNY’s Empire PPO options are currently waiving co-pays for all virtual office visits with network providers through September 13, 2020.

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