Board creates guidance for employers to cover COVID-19 testing

Under emergency, the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board on Tuesday adopted a new rule that applies to employers whose employees test positive for COVID-19.

The board created a provision that states when workers compensation benefits are sought due to a work-place exposure to COVID-19, reimbursement “for serological, molecular or other reliable testing” to confirm a current viral infection may be covered if there is a claim filed.

The billing code established by the board may not be used for “routine screening of workers’ compensation claimants for the presence of the COVID-19 virus,” the provision states, adding that antibody is not available in the state fee schedule and that repeat testing is not permitted “except when clinical documentation supports a change or reoccurrence of symptoms, or a new exposure to the COVID-19 virus.”

More insurance and workers compensation news on the coronavirus crisis here.