Teamsters Joint Council No. 83 of Virginia

Coronavirus COVID-19

Effective Monday, March 21, 2022 the Fund Office will be open for in-person meetings with its members. Please call (804) 282-3131 to schedule your appointment. The Claims Coordinators and Pension Analysts are available Monday through Friday, from 8:30AM to 4:30PM

Effective March 18, 2020, the Plan will cover items and services furnished to a Participant or Dependent via telehealth visits to a healthcare provider for reasons not related to the detection of SARS-CoV-2 or the diagnosis of COVID-19. The Board of Trustees has extended the telehealth benefit through December 31, 2021. Effective November 1, 2020, only in-network providers will be covered for Telehealth Services.

We will make announcements of any plan changes as they become available.

Coronavirus Testing

Effective March 18, 2020 , the following services will be covered both in-and out-of-network with no cost sharing (including deductibles, co-payments and co-insurance) and no requirement of prior authorization:

• diagnosis products for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 or the diagnosis of COVID-19 that are approved by the FDA, and the administration of such diagnostic products; and

• items and services furnished to a Participant or Dependent during health care provider office visits (which includes in-person visits and telehealth visits), urgent care center visits, and emergency room visits that result in an order for or administration of a diagnosis product, but only to the extent such items and services relate to the furnishing or administration of the diagnostic test or the evaluation of whether an individual needs a diagnostic test.

What is Coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19)?

Coronavirus disease 2019 is a new highly-contagious disease that causes mild to severe respiratory illness. It was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that symptoms can include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.

CDC Recommended “Prevention and Treatment”:

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. CDC advises the best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, to reduce the chances of illness, CDC recommends everyday preventive actions that include washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throwing the tissue in the trash, staying home when sick and avoiding close contact with people who are sick.

There is also no antiviral treatment recommended for COVID-19. CDC notes symptoms such as fever, cough and shortness of breath associated with this illness and advise individuals who believe they might have contracted it to contact their health care provider to receive medically necessary care.

More details and the most up-to-date evidence-based information is available at:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Coronavirus

World Health Organization - Coronavirus