PITTSBURGH — UPMC and UPMC Health Plan are working to identify and remove any barriers that could unnecessarily delay or prevent its patients and members from receiving appropriate diagnosis and treatment related to the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

In order to ensure that no UPMC Health Plan member faces a financial barrier to receiving needed testing, the company will waive any applicable deductibles, copayments or other cost-sharing for COVID-19 testing when ordered by a member’s treating medical provider.

Effective immediately, this no-cost coverage of COVID-19 testing as a preventive service will apply for members in the company’s commercial UPMC Advantage group and individual products, UPMC for Life Medicare Advantage plans, and UPMC for You Medical Assistance plans. Its self-insured or administrative services only (ASO) employer groups will be permitted to opt-out of preventive coverage at their discretion.

Commercial testing was expected to start becoming available this past weekend. UPMC Health Plan encourages any member with symptoms or suspected exposure to COVID-19 to immediately contact their health care provider or request a live, remote telehealth consultation available through the 24/7 UPMC AnywhereCare app.

For questions about locating a provider or available testing laboratory, UPMC Health Plan’s member services team is available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and can be reached at 1-844-220-4785 (TTY: 711). For additional information about COVID-19, go to the company’s website at www.upmchealthplan.com.