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