BlueCross and BlueChoice HealthPlan Waive Cost-Sharing for In-Network COVID-19 Treatment
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina and its subsidiary BlueChoice HealthPlan announced that effective April 2, 2020, the insurers will waive all out-of-pocket costs related to in-network COVID-19 medical treatment for members, through the end of the applicable COVID-19 public health emergency period.
Members benefiting from this expansion of coverage are individual policy holders, Medicare Advantage plan members and Medicaid members, as well as fully insured employer group customers. In addition, the companies are working closely with their self-funded ERISA customers to ensure that those customers’ needs are also being met.
This action is one in a series of coverage expansion efforts taken by the insurers in the midst of the health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Earlier, the companies announced that they would cover the provider visit and testing to diagnose COVID-19 at no cost to the member, waiving members’ copays, co-insurance and deductibles. In addition, the organizations waived prior authorizations for COVID-19 related conditions and treatment.
According to David Pankau, president and CEO of BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, the pandemic is requiring all of us to help each other. He said, “Because we are in the middle of an unprecedented health crisis, we wanted to further support our members during this challenging and stressful time. Removing some of the worry associated with costs was one way we could do that.”
Members who have questions about their coverage should call the customer service number on their ID cards.
Additional reliable information about COVID-19 is available through the SCDHEC Care Line at 855-472-3432, the SCDHEC website at scdhec.gov/COVID19, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
Telehealth Visits With In-Network Providers
If you need follow-up care from an in-network provider and would prefer a virtual visit instead of in-person care, you may have the option to arrange telephone or video appointments with the provider. You would pay your normal cost share as you would for an in-person visit.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have adjusted rules for telehealth services, which can be provided using Skype, FaceTime and similar applications. No formal approval process is needed.
Find more information here.
April 2, 2020
Updated June 12, 2020
UPDATED: COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by a new coronavirus. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that may cause illness in people. Find answers to some frequently asked questions here.
Read MoreJAN. 31, 2020: BlueCross wants you to know that we are closely monitoring the coronavirus epidemic, which has now been classified as a global health emergency. Here is some important information from our Chief Medical Officer Dr. Matthew Bartels.
Read MoreRelated Reading:
MARCH 11, 2020: BlueCross and its subsidiary BlueChoice® HealthPlan will cover testing to diagnose COVID-19 for its members when medically necessary and prescribed by health providers. Any subsequent needed care will be done in close coordination with federal, state and public health authorities.
Read MoreMARCH 23, 2020: BlueCross is taking steps to increase access to care in response to the Coronavirus. Telehealth visits provide convenience for people to access care using a smartphone, computer or tablet device.
Read MoreMARCH 27, 2020: If you are starting to feel ill these days you are probably wondering if you have COVID-19. Because confusion and miscommunication are common in situations like this, Dr. Matt Bartels, vice president and chief medical officer for BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, answers some of the more common questions for members who think they may have COVID-19.
Read MoreCOVID Update
The COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) ended May 11, 2023. The COVID-19 national emergency ended April 10, 2023. The standard terms of your health plan or policy now apply to any COVID-19 related services. Please review your schedule of benefits if you have any questions.