COVID-19 National and Public Health Emergency Expiration

On Thursday, May 11, 2023, the COVID-19 National Emergency (NE) and the Public Health Emergency (PHE) expired.

What does this mean for you?

1. Over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 tests will no longer be covered as of May 11, 2023.
2. COVID-19 office testing will be part of your visit co-pay or subject to deductible and co-insurance for GuideStone’s HSA-qualified High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs).
3. COVID-19 vaccinations will still be covered as a no-cost preventive service.
4. In the 2020 plan year, the timeline for reporting special enrollment events was extended to 60 days past the end of the outbreak period declared in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The outbreak period will end on May 11, 2023. Please contact GuideStone® within 60 days from the date of the special enrollment event to add coverage. For additional information on special enrollment events, please review the GuideStone Administrators Manual.

GuideStone will still offer no-cost Teladoc® visits for members in all of our U.S.-based Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. This includes HSA-qualified HDHPs. This provision will be in place from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2024, based on the 2023 omnibus spending bill, which contains a two-year extension of the telehealth accommodation for HDHPs.