In recent months, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has reported a rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Public health officials have also raised concerns around rising cases of flu and RSV, and the potential for a ‘tripledemic.’ This challenge requires urgent action by health insurance plans to ensure that Americans can access the necessary treatments to avoid severe symptoms and long-lasting impacts of COVID-19.

Antiviral therapies for COVID-19 have proven time and again to be critical in the fight against the virus. Studies showed that one COVID-19 antiviral treatment decreased the risk of death by 47% and the risk of hospitalization by 24% over a six-month period. Antiviral treatments for COVID-19 must be administered within five days of the first symptoms of COVID-19 to maintain maximum efficacy, so patients do not have time to wait to navigate complex barriers to care.

By removing access barriers to COVID-19 therapeutics, health plans can support efforts to mitigate the devastating impacts of COVID-19 on rural and other historically underserved groups and protect all Americans from severe illness and hospitalization.

Take action today by sending a letter to health insurance plans urging them to make COVID-19 antiviral treatments affordable and accessible to all patients.