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The Public Health Emergency (PHE) that was first declared by the Department of Health and Human Services during the COVID-19 pandemic will end on May 11, 2023. For those employees and their dependents who are covered under the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ health plan, this serves as an update regarding the health plan’s coverage for COVID-19 related services after the end of the PHE, beginning on May 12, 2023:

• COVID-19 vaccines (including boosters) will be covered in full with no cost share if received from an in-network provider or pharmacy. Vaccines that are received from an out-of-network provider will be subject to a cost share in the form of deductible, coinsurance and/or copay.
• COVID-19 lab-based tests, treatment and related services will be covered under the plan, subject to the same cost share provisions that apply to other services.
• COVID-19 at-home tests will not be covered under the plan. Faculty and staff who contribute to a Health Care Flexible Spending Account may be reimbursed from their account for the purchase of a test kit.

For specific questions about coverage through Excellus BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS), contact the University’s dedicated customer care team at Excellus BCBS at 800.493.0318 (TTY: 800.662.1220) Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET and Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET or by email to cc.select.dedicated@excellus.com. Inquiries about faculty/staff prescription drug coverage through Optum Rx should be directed to Optum Rx at 866.854.2945 (TTY:711).

Employees with other concerns may contact Human Resources (HR) Shared Services at 315.443.4042 or hrservice@syr.edu, or visit HR’s for the most up-to-date information about health plan coverage through the University.