Employee Benefits Information/Resources Related to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

During this unprecedented and challenging time, we want to provide you with information  and resources to help you and your family. 
 
NOTE: The Federal government has announced that the Public Health Emergency and National Emergency will end May 11, 2023.  Therefore, the special benefits provision outlined below will end beginning May 12, 2023.
 
 

Coverage for COVID-19 Tests

NOTE: The Federal government has announced that the Public Health Emergency and National Emergency will end May 11, 2023.  Therefore, beginning May 12, 2023, test kits will no longer be covered. 
 
COVID-19 tests are covered under the prescription drug benefit with OptumRx for those employees who are enrolled in POS A, POS B, POS D and the Blue PPO; for those enrolled in POS B No Drug, the tests are covered under their Excellus medical coverage through the Excellus pharmacy benefit manager, Express Scripts (ESI). 
 

Information for Those Enrolled in POS A, POS B, POS D, and Blue PPO (coverage ends May 11, 2023)

You have the following coverage options for the purchase of eligible COVID-19 tests:

  1. Pay $0 at certain OptumRx network pharmacies: Present your OptumRx ID card at the pharmacy counter at a Kinney Drugs, Rite Aid, Sam’s Club or Walmart Pharmacy with an eligible OTC at-home COVID-19 test kit (see below).  NOTE: Wegmans does not currently participate in the point of purchase program.
  1. Order at-home COVID-19 tests online with $0 copay through the Optum Store:  Sign in at www.optumrx.com and click on “Get at-home COVID-19 tests with $0 copay.”  NOTE: you will need to create a separate login to the Optum Store.  There is no shipping charge if ordering two (2) or more kits.  Members are limited to four (4) kits of two (2) tests each per household per calendar month at the Optum Store.
  1. Purchase a kit and then submit for reimbursement online: Submit a copy of your purchase receipt to your online submission here.  You will be reimbursed for the cost, up to $12 per test.
  1. Purchase a kit and then submit for reimbursement by mail: Print and complete the form and mail along with your purchase receipt.  You will be reimbursed for the cost, up to $12 per test.
 
Questions?  
  • Please visit optumrx.com/testinfo for the latest updates and information.  If you have questions for OptumRx, including how to get an OptumRx ID card, please call them at 855-209-1300.
  • If you have questions for RIT, please visit the RIT Service Center (RSC) portal at help.rit.edu or call the RSC at 585-475-5000. 

 

Information for Those Enrolled in POS B No Drug (coverage ends May 11, 2023)

You have the following coverage options for the purchase of eligible COVID-19 tests:

  1. Pay $0 at participating Express Scripts pharmacies: Present your Excellus ID card at the pharmacy counter with an eligible OTC at-home COVID-19 test kit (see below).  Click here to find a participating pharmacy.
  1. Order at-home COVID-19 tests online with $0 copay through Express Scripts: Sign in or create an account at www.express-scripts.com and click on “Order at-home COVID-19 tests.”  
  2. Purchase a kit and then submit for reimbursement by mail: Print and complete the form and mail along with your purchase receipt and NDC (barcode) from the test box (find directions on how to complete the form here).  You will be reimbursed for the cost, up to $12 per test.
 
Questions?  
  • If you have questions for Excellus, including how to get an Excellus ID card, please call them at 877-253-4797.
  • If you have questions for RIT, please visit the RIT Service Center (RSC) portal at help.rit.edu or call the RSC at 585-475-5000. 

 

What Test Kids are Covered? (coverage ends May 11, 2023)

Coverage includes OTC at-home COVID-19 test kits authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The most common tests are brands BinaxNOW™, CLINITEST®, Flowflex™, i-Health®, InteliSwab™, On/Go™, QuickVue® and At-home test kits (Roche).

Is there a limit to how many tests will be covered? (coverage ends May 11, 2023)

Yes.  Covered members can get up to eight (8) individual tests per month (e.g., a family of four (4) would be eligible for 32 tests per month).  While most tests come in kits of two or more tests, the maximum quantity is based on the number of tests, not kits.  For example, if the kit has two tests, an individual would be limited to four (4) kits, which is a total of eight (8) tests.
 
 

RIT Medical Coverage (Excellus BlueCross BlueShield)

NOTE: The Federal government has announced that the Public Health Emergency and National Emergency will end May 11, 2023.  Therefore, beginning May 12, 2023, the services outlined below will no longer be covered in full. 

Plan Changes (ends May 11, 2023)

RIT health insurance will cover the following at no cost to plan participants; this means zero copays, coinsurance, and/or deductibles for the following:

  • Medically necessary diagnostic tests that are consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance related to COVID-19.
  • In-network or out-of-network provider office visits (if an in-network provider is not available), including telehealth visits, in-network urgent care visits, and emergency room visits resulting in testing for COVID-19.  
  • Required prior authorizations will be waived for diagnostic tests and for covered services that are medically necessary and consistent with CDC guidance for members diagnosed with COVID-19.
  • All telemedicine visits through MD Live will be covered in full, whether COVID-19 related or not.  Register for telemedicine now so you won't have to spend time doing that when you are feeling unwell.  There are four easy ways to register:
    • WEB - Register/Log in at ExcellusBCBS.com/Member
    • APP - Download the MDLIVE app
    • TEXT - Text EXCELLUS to 635483
    • VOICE - Call 1-866-692-5045

 

Please contact Excellus BlueCross BlueShield at 877-253-4797 or 585-454-2845 (TTY) for questions regarding specific health insurance benefits.

 

Telemedicine With MDLIVE ($0 copay ends May 11, 2023)

NOTE: The Federal government has announced that the Public Health Emergency and National Emergency will end May 11, 2023.  Therefore, beginning May 12, 2023, there will be a $10 copay for all MDLIVE telemedicine visits.  

We understand that the pandemic has had a major impact on many people’s mental health.  For those who are seeking care, the good news is that RIT’s telemedicine vendor through Excellus, MDLIVE, now provides coverage for ongoing care for mental health needs; the individual can schedule recurring appointments to establish an ongoing relationship with one therapist from the privacy of their own home.  We announced this improvement in the Benefits Open Enrollment Newsletter we issued in October of 2019.   This is different than virtual visits with your own health care provider.  Here are some conditions people rely on behavioral health telemedicine for:

  • Addiction
  • Bipolar Disorders
  • Depression
  • Panic Disorders
  • Stress
  • Trauma and PTSD
  • Eating Disorders
  • Grief and Loss
  • LGBTQ Support

Usually, the copay for MDLIVE telemedicine visits it $10.  However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all telemedicine visits with MDLIVE would be covered without a copay on a temporary basis, whether COVID-related or not COVID-related. 

If you are interested in checking out this benefit, you should register in one of four easy ways as follows:

  1. WEB - Register/Log in at www.ExcellusBCBS.com/Member
  2. APP - Download the MDLIVE app
  3. TEXT - Text EXCELLUS to 635483
  4. VOICE - Call 1-866-692-5045

 

RIT's EAP provider, GuidanceResources, is another great resource available to you and your family members 24 hours a day, seven days a week to assist you and your family with virtually any issue.  They have a number of helpful resources to help keep you informed about the coronavirus, as well as offer guidance on how to remain healthy and deal with the emotional impacts of the outbreak.

Click here to find out how to access their help.

 

RIT Prescription Drug Coverage (OptumRx)

NOTE: The Federal government has announced that the Public Health Emergency and National Emergency will end May 11, 2023.  Therefore, the following provisions will end May 11, 2023.

The following temporary changes are in place for plan participants.

  • When an existing patient calls the Optum Specialty Pharmacy to refill an eligible specialty medication, OptumRx will make available a one-time 90-day supply of key specialty medications instead of the traditional 30-day supply.  This rule does not apply to patients newly initiating specialty therapy or for certain categories of drugs such as controlled substances.
  • Please remember that you can receive your ongoing (maintenance) medications by U.S. Mail from either the OptumRx mail order pharmacy or through Wegmans Free Home Shipping.  Contact Optum at 855-209-1300 or Wegmans at 800-934-6267 for assistance.
  • Please visit the OptumRx FAQS for Members on the HR website for more information.

Please contact OptumRx at 855-209-1300 for questions regarding specific prescription drug plan benefits.

 

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

RIT's EAP provider, GuidanceResources, is available to you and your family members 24 hours a day, seven days a week to assist you and your family with virtually any issue.  They have a number of helpful resources to help keep you informed about the coronavirus, as well as offer guidance on how to remain healthy and deal with the emotional impacts of the outbreak.
 
EAP Toll-Free Phone: 844-572-9730/V and 800-697-0353/TTY
Website: To access the EAP’s website:
  1. Go to www.guidanceresources.com
  2. Click on I am a First Time user
  3. Enter the Web ID: RITEAP
  4. Complete the registration
  5. You can choose your own User Name and Password; they should be different than any RIT User Name and Password

 

RIT's Better Me Wellness Program

For fitness tips and exercises you can do at home, please join the Better Me Facebook page or follow them on Twitter.
 
Office ergonomics is an extremely important aspect of workplace safety and efficiency.  Numerous aspects, such as the tools and equipment used, the places people work, and the psychosocial aspects of a workplace environment are all taken into consideration.  Although some repetitive strain is inevitable with many jobs, employees can reduce the effects by taking breaks, ensuring good posture, and implementing task rotation.  Please refer to this diagram to help ensure your workspace is set up in an optimal fashion. 

 

How to Find Your Focus While Working From Home