BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — In an attempt to ease the financial burden on COVID-19 on its customers, Blue Cross Blue Shield Alabama is waiving cost-sharing requirements for COVID-19 treatment.
This includes coverage for testing and treatment administered, including for inpatient hospital stays.
“We want our members to be assured that we are here for them as we navigate through this unprecedented time,” said Tim Vines, President and CEO, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. “For our members diagnosed with COVID-19, we want them to have peace of mind knowing they have access to the care they need.”
Blue Cross said that March 1, 2020, they began waiving all member cost-sharing for COVID-19 diagnostic testing, treatments and the related in-person or telehealth office visit, urgent care visit, emergency room visit or behavioral health visit for members with fully insured individual, employer-based, Federal Employee Program, and Medicare Advantage Plans.
Also, inpatient deductibles, copays and coinsurance for fully insured employer customers are being waived if a member is admitted to an in-network hospital with a COVID-19 related diagnosis. Self-funded employer customers have the option to also implement these COVID-19 related benefits.
They are also expanding access to telehealth for in-network providers with no member cost-sharing. Telehealth will now be available for physical, speech, and occupational therapy (subject to provider capability), and behavioral health for customers patients who want to limit their risk of possible exposure to COVID-19.
Other benefits BCBS is offering during the COVID-19 crisis are waiving prior authorizations for diagnostic tests and covered services that are medically necessary and consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for members if diagnosed with COVID-19 and increasing access to prescription medications by waiving early medication refill limits on prescriptions and encouraging members to use their 90-day retail or mail order benefit.
For more information on what BCBS is doing to help during the COVID-19 crisis, click here.
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