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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 Â鶹ƵµÀUniversity 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.