Yes. On March 5, 2020, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara released a COVID-19 Screening
and Testing Bulletin1 directing health insurers to waive cost sharing amounts for certain COVID19 related screening and testing. Since that date, two federal laws were passed, which require
coverage for COVID-19 related diagnostic testing and screening, without patient cost sharing,
including deductibles, coinsurance, and copays.
Section 6001 of the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) (PL 116-127)
§ 6001, as amended by § 3201 of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security
Act (CARES Act) (PL 116-136),2 applies to a “group health plan,” including insured3 and selfinsured group health plans, private employment-based group health plans (ERISA plans), nonfederal governmental plans, and church plans.4 It also applies to “individual health insurance