FAQs
US-based Plans
Will my doctor visits be covered if I get sick with COVID-19?
Yes, visits to a physician will be covered in accordance with your plan rules.
Will US-based Health Insurance Plans cover COVID-19 testing? What about HIP (EmblemHealth)?
Both Aetna and Empire Blue Cross cover COVID-19 testing. HIP (EmblemHealth) covers cost-sharing as required by the state for testing. In addition, in-network cost-sharing for physician’s office visits, urgent care visits and emergency room visits associated with testing are being waived. EmblemHealth will not require preauthorization for COVID-19 testing.
Will US-based Health Insurance Plans cover COVID-19 vaccines?
Both Aetna and Empire Blue Cross cover COVID-19 vaccines.
Do US-based medical plans provide online consultations?
Yes, all US based medical plans provide online consultations that enable you to connect with a licensed doctor, by phone, video or mobile. Aetna and Empire Blue Cross have their own online platforms:
- Aetna offers an online App called Teladoc
- Empire Blue Cross offers an online App called LiveHealth Online
To use the benefit of online consultations, you must enroll by going to the website of the respective insurance carriers. There is no additional cost for enrolling for this benefit. Please find below additional information relating to the benefit of online consultations for US-based medical plans:
- Aetna Teladoc: Log into the Aetna website at https://www.aetna.com/ or call +1 855-Teladoc. You can also go to teladoc.com/aetna. Before your first virtual care visit, set up your account online or on the app and then complete a brief medical history as it will help your doctor treat or advise you better. Important note: during the ongoing pandemic, in addition to the online platform Teladoc, Aetna also supports telemedicine (phone and video) consultations with both, in-network and out-of-network providers. Any provider may bill these consultations by using the authorized special coding to indicate that the consultation was telemedicine-based. Out-of-network telemedicine claims will be processed at the OON rate, applying normal out-of-network cost share based on the benefit plan.
- Empire Blue Cross LiveHealth Online: HLIS recommends that you use telehealth when possible to help prevent the spread of infection and improve access to care. The Empire telehealth provider LiveHealth Online is a safe and effective way for you to receive medical guidance related to COVID-19 from your home using a smartphone, tablet or computer with a web cam. In addition, you can download the free Sydney Care mobile app for a quick and easy way to evaluate symptoms. You can connect with a doctor through a Virtual Care text session right from their smartphone. The doctor can evaluate symptoms, help understand whether you are at risk for COVID-19, and let you know whether you need to visit a local health care provider in person for COVID-19 testing. Important note: in addition to LiveHealth Online, Empire Blue Cross plan participants have, as a choice, access to:
- telehealth (video and audio) for both in-network and out-of-network providers
- telephonic consultations with in-network-only providers during this pandemic.
All services will be subject to member cost share.
- HIP (EmblemHealth) uses telehealth to provide coverage to its plan participants. For EmblemHealth, Telehealth means: the use of electronic information and communication technologies, including via telephone, by a health care provider to deliver health care services to you while you are located at a site that is different from the site where the health care provider is located. Please check with your provider to confirm whether they offer covered services via telehealth. Important note: for a temporary period during the pandemic, no cost-sharing will apply to covered services that you receive from in-network providers via telehealth.
Do US-based medical plans provide telehealth for mental health services?
Yes, all US-based medical plans (Aetna, Empire and HIP (EmblemHealth)) cover telehealth mental health consultations with respective in-network providers, including psychologists and psychotherapists.
Additional UN Resources: The Staff Counsellor's provides psychosocial support to staff members at UNHQ and Offices away from Headquarters. In order to locate a Staff Counsellor, please send an email to scolearn@un.org and to schedule a virtual appointment, please send email to scohh@un.org. In addition, active and retired staff members may contact their state or municipal offices to take advantage of the medical resources available.
Do US-based medical plans provide more than a 30-day supply of maintenance medication?
Yes, all US-based medical plans, namely Aetna, Empire and HIP (EmblemHealth) provide more than a 30-day supply of maintenance medication.
- Aetna: If you wish to request more than a 30-day supply of medication, you should request a vacation override to obtain a 90-day supply of prescriptions. HLIS encourages you to talk to your doctor about changing from a 30-day supply to a 90-day supply of prescriptions. You can call the RX Member Services number on the back of your health plan ID card to learn more.
- Empire Blue Cross (pharmacy benefits administered by IngenioRx): If you wish to request more than a 30-day supply of medication, you should request a vacation override to obtain a 90-day supply of prescriptions. HLIS encourages you to talk to your doctor about changing from a 30-day supply to a 90-day supply of prescriptions. You can call the Pharmacy Member Services number on the back of your health plan ID card to learn more.
- HIP (EmblemHealth) covers 90-day supplies for most medicines for chronic conditions. You should ask your doctor for a 90-day prescription that can be filled at a local pharmacy, received by mail, or delivered to their door. Comprehensive, updated information is available at EmblemHealth.
UN MIP
Will my doctor visits be covered if I get sick with COVID-19?
Yes, visits to a physician will be covered in accordance with the UN MIP rules.
Does the UN Medical Insurance Plan (UN MIP) cover COVID-19 testing?
Yes, like all diagnostic tests, COVID-19 testing will be covered if:
- Prescribed by a qualified and registered medical doctor
- Medically necessary
- As per policy stipulations for the UN MIP
Does the UN Medical Insurance Plan (UN MIP) cover COVID-19 vaccines?
Yes, like all vaccines, COVID-19 vaccines will be covered if:
- Recommended by the local health authorities and/or the WHO
- Vaccines are not offered free of charge by national governments
Does the UN Medical Insurance Plan (UN MIP) cover COVID-19 related quarantine?
Quarantine can be recommended for the following two reasons:
- For prevention - applies to people that may or may not have been diagnosed with COVID-19 but do not show symptoms and are being quarantined for preventive measures. This is not medical care and therefore not covered.
- For isolation - applies to people that show symptoms and need to be diagnosed and/or treated. These patients are being hospitalised in isolation or in a single room in order not to contaminate others. This is medical care and therefore covered.
Does the Third-Party Administrator (Cigna International Organizations) provide online consultations with doctors?
Yes, as of April 2020:
- Through Cigna Global Telehealth, Cigna Global Telehealth is provided to all staff members, retirees and their eligible dependants covered under the UNMIP. Cigna Global Telehealth enables insureds to connect with a licensed doctor, by phone or video, free of charge. This service is highly recommended at the time of the ongoing pandemic as a doctor can provide medical advice and, if necessary, a prescription. In order to use the benefit of online consultations, you must install the Cigna Wellbeing application and log in with your Cigna personal reference number and password. There is no additional cost in enrolling for this benefit. Additional information relating to the benefit of online consultations though Cigna Global Telehealth can be found on your Cigna personal webpages. We encourage you to take control of your health and well-being and access the Cigna Global Telehealth service. This option is available by video or telephone. It gives you free access to medical support and advice whenever you need it, and it has a multilingual component. The dedicated Cigna mailbox for UN MIP is UN.MIP@cigna.com and phone numbers are located on your personal Cigna ID card.
- Through the UN Medical Insurance Plan. In addition to the Cigna Global Telehealth service, the UN MIP also covers telephonic and video consultations with licensed doctors within your regional area of care during this pandemic. These consultations are covered under the UN MIP, in accordance with the plan rules, therefore, Cigna will require an invoice and payment receipt with your claim. Important note: the telephonic and video consultations are only covered for doctors within the designated regional area of care.
Does the Third-Party Administrator (Cigna International) provide telehealth for mental health services?
Yes, as of April 2020 :
- Through Cigna Global Telehealth - Consultations with psychiatrists are available through Cigna Global Telehealth. Please note that Cigna Global Telehealth is not available for consultations with psychologists or psychotherapists. Any consultation with these types of professionals is available through a telephone of video call to be arranged between the member and the provider as explained below.
- Through the UN Medical Insurance Plan - To ensure access to mental care, the UN MIP now also covers telephonic and video consultations with psychologists and psychotherapists within your regional area of care. This will allow UN MIP members to keep monitoring their mental health. All consultations with psychologists and psychotherapists under the UN MIP are covered in accordance with the plan rules, therefore, Cigna will require an invoice, payment receipt and medical prescription with your claim. Important note: the telephonic and video consultations are only covered for psychologists and psychotherapists within the designated regional area of care.
Does the UN Medical Insurance Plan (UN MIP) cover UN MIP plan members outside their duty station?
Yes, UN MIP plan members are covered outside their duty stations. However, if UN MIP members seek medical care outside the country of their duty station, reimbursement will be limited to the reasonable and customary expenses applicable to the country of their duty station. This may result in members being responsible for a high co-payment. In addition, MIP members will also have to pay the provider first and claim reimbursement with Cigna afterwards when they seek care outside their duty station.
Can UN MIP plan members submit claims online?
Yes, effective 6th April 2020, all UN MIP plan members can submit reimbursement claims online.
UN WWP
Will my doctor visits be covered if I get sick with COVID-19?
Yes, visits to a physician will be covered in accordance with the UN Worldwide Plan rules.
Does the UN Worldwide Plan (UN WWP) cover COVID-19 testing?
Yes, like all diagnostic tests, COVID-19 testing will be covered if:
- Prescribed by a qualified and registered medical doctor.
- Medically necessary as per policy stipulations for the UN WWP.
Cost-sharing for COVID-19 testing is being waived.
Does the UN Worldwide Plan (UN WWP) cover COVID-19 related quarantine?
Quarantine can be recommended for the following two reasons:
- For prevention - applies to people that may or may not have been diagnosed with COVID-19 but do not show symptoms and are being quarantined for preventive measures. This is not medical care and therefore not covered.
- For isolation - applies to people that show symptoms and need to be diagnosed and/or treated. These patients are being hospitalized in isolation or in a single room in order not to contaminate others. This is medical care and therefore covered.
Does the Third-Party Administrator (Cigna International) provide online consultations with doctors?
Yes, - Through Cigna Global Telehealth - Cigna Global Telehealth is provided to all staff members, retirees and their eligible dependants covered under the UN WWP. Cigna Global Telehealth enables insureds to connect with a licensed doctor, by phone or video, free of charge. This service is highly recommended at the time of the ongoing pandemic as a doctor can provide medical advice and, if necessary, a prescription. In order to use the benefit of online consultations you must install the Cigna Wellbeing application and log in with your Cigna personal reference number and password. Additional information relating to the benefit of online consultations though Cigna Global Telehealth can be found on your Cigna personal webpages. We encourage you to take control of your health and well-being and access the Cigna Global Telehealth service. This option is available by video or telephone. It gives you free access to medical support and advice whenever you need it, and it has a multilingual component. The dedicated Cigna mailbox for UN WWP is UN.WWP@cigna.com and phone numbers are located on your personal Cigna ID card. Through the UN Worldwide Plan - In addition to the Cigna Global Telehealth service, the UN WWP also covers telephonic and video consultations with licensed doctors during this pandemic. These consultations are covered under the UN WWP, in accordance with the plan rules, therefore, Cigna will require an invoice and payment receipt with your claim.
Does Third-party Administrator (Cigna International) provide telehealth for mental health services?
Yes, as of April 2020 :
- Through Cigna Global Telehealth - Consultations with psychiatrists are available through Cigna Global Telehealth. Please note that Cigna Global Telehealth is not available for consultations with psychologists or psychotherapists. Any consultation with these types of professionals is available through a telephone of video call to be arranged between the member and the provider as explained below.
- Through the UN Worldwide Plan - To ensure access to mental care, the UN WWP now also covers telephonic and video consultations with psychologists and psychotherapists. This will allow UN WWP members to keep monitoring their mental health. All consultations with psychologists and psychotherapists under the UN WWP are covered in accordance with the plan rules, therefore, Cigna will require an invoice, payment receipt and medical prescription with your claim.
How do I access care if I am on official travel in the US and am covered under the UN Worldwide Plan administered by Cigna International?
Staff members covered under the UN WWP and currently in the US on official mission status should call 1-305-908-9101 or the customer service number on the back of their ID cards. Cigna’s customer service representatives will verify coverage, obtain information on their location or zip codes, and email them a list of network providers they can obtain services from.