Update on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Updated 05/10/2023 

End of the COVID-19 National Emergency and Public Health Emergency

The Biden Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra announced the end of two national emergencies related to the COVID-19 pandemic: the public health emergency and the national emergency.

As a result, the following COVID-19 related medical benefits will change, effective May 12, 2023:

  • COVID-19 diagnostic and antibody testing, including administration of such testing, will be covered in accordance with standard medical plan coverage, subject to regular applicable deductibles and coinsurance.
  • COVID-19 antibody infusion treatments will be covered in accordance with standard medical plan coverage, subject to regular applicable deductibles and coinsurance.
  • COVID-19 vaccines will be covered under the preventative benefit in accordance with standard medical plan provisions.
    • Please see BCBSTX and Cigna sections below for specific details, as applicable.
  • COVID-19 over-the-counter tests will no longer be covered by the medical plan.

Also, due to the national emergency, certain medical and other benefit plan deadlines were suspended*. Effective July 11, 2023, all benefit plan deadlines will resume as set forth in the Summary Plan Description (SPD). For more information on plan deadlines, please refer to the “Other Information/ERISA” section of the SPD titled, ConocoPhillips Employee Benefits Handbook.

* Deadlines were suspended during what has been called the “Outbreak Period,” which will end on July 10, 2023. This included deadlines for HIPAA special enrollments, claims and appeals, external reviews and COBRA (e.g., qualifying event notification, disability notification, election and premium payment).These deadlines may also apply to the following plans: the ConocoPhillips retirement plan, the ConocoPhillips savings plan, the employee medical plan, dental plan, vision plan, Houston and Midland onsite clinics, inpatriate and expatriate medical plan, employee assistance plan, flexible spending plan, disability plan, comprehensive disability income plan, group life plan, universal life plan, severance pay plan, and the family life benefits plan. 

Please see below for additional details regarding plan changes.  Also, for other details on the company’s response, please visit the internal Health Services Coronavirus Information FAQ’s Site.

    • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (current employees and covered retirees)
      Effective May 12, 2023 -
        • COVID-19 diagnostic and antibody testing, when medically necessary, will be covered in accordance with plan rules, subject to deductible and coinsurance.
        • If you use an out-of-network provider or facility for a COVID-19 diagnostic or antibody test, your costs may be higher. 
        • COVID-19 surveillance tests for employment or travel purposes are not covered.
        • COVID-19 vaccines will continue to be covered under the preventative benefit in accordance with standard medical plan provisions. Please note, non-network coverage will be changing as outlined below:
          • Network: 100% covered; non-network: 40% covered
        • For any questions, please reach out to your health advocates at 800-343-4709 or you can download the BCBSTX app to live chat.
  • CVS Caremark (current employees and covered retirees)
    • Effective May 12, 2023, FDA approved over the counter (OTC) COVID-19 tests are no longer covered under the plan.
    • You will continue to have access to free one-to-two-day home delivery for prescription medications filled at a local CVS Pharmacy®. As always, there is no charge for delivery of prescriptions filled by Caremark Mail Order/Maintenance Choice.
    • For any other questions, please contact CVS Caremark® at 855-293-4118.
  • MDLIVE (current employees and covered retirees)
    • If you are suffering from common medical conditions or have symptoms of COVID-19, MDLIVE doctors provide reliable care or help determine necessary next steps via telephone or video.
    • MDLIVE can provide COVID-19 testing, if considered medically necessary. At-home test kits are sent and processed by LabCorp.
    • Remote behavioral health medical provider visits and counseling is also available through the MDLIVE app.
    • If you are enrolled in BCBSTX, you can access MDLIVE via the MDLIVE app, online or by calling 1-888-680-8646.
  • 2nd.MD (current employees and covered retirees)
    • Find more resources on COVID-19 from 2nd.MD here.
  • VSP (current employees)
    • As part of your vision coverage, VSP offers members their Essential Medical Eye Care services at no additional charge. This service is intended for eye health related issues such as pink eye, eye injury, blurry vision, sudden vision changes, etc. 
    • If you need help finding a doctor, please call VSP Customer Care at 800-877-7195.
  • Concern (EAP services are available to current employees and their dependents)
    • Concern is available to assist you and your family with daily issues or questions by calling 800-344-4222.
    • Resources such as FAQs, articles and webinars regarding COVID-19 and the emotional stress this may cause can be found on the Concern website under Life After COVID-19.
  • Cigna Global Benefits (Current Expats, Inpats, non-U.S. Citizen, non-U.S. Resident)
    Effective May 12, 2023 -
    • COVID-19 diagnostic and antibody testing, when medically necessary, will be covered in accordance with plan rules, subject to deductible and coinsurance.
    • Non-diagnostic and antibody tests for employment or travel purposes are not covered.
    • Effective May 12, 2023, FDA approved over the counter (OTC) COVID-19 tests are no longer covered under the plan.
    • COVID-19 vaccinations will continue to be covered with a cost share under the preventive benefit, similar to a flu shot, subject to deductible and coinsurance where applicable (network, out-of-network or international).

This is a brief general summary of certain terms and conditions of certain plans and is for information purposes only. Some employees are not eligible to participate in all the plans described. To be eligible to participate in a particular plan, you must meet the eligibility requirement outlined for that plan. If there are any discrepancies or conflicts between this information and the terms of the official plan documents or any underlying insurance contracts, the official plan documents and insurance contracts will control your actual benefits. ConocoPhillips reserves the right to amend or terminate its benefits plans at any time, without notice, in its sole discretion.