(Eagan, Minnesota) March 14, 2020 — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross), the state’s leading health insurer, has announced immediate no-cost coverage updates as part of its ongoing effort to help prevent the spread and impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Blue Cross now covering all costs for office visits associated with medically necessary testing for COVID-19
With no cost to the member, Blue Cross will pay for the appropriate medically necessary diagnostic testing and related office visits for fully insured employer, individual and Medicare members who meet CDC guidelines for COVID-19 testing. These members will not have any co-pay, co-insurance or deductible costs for COVID-19 tests and related office visits. Any needed care following a diagnosis of COVID-19 will be covered consistent with your standard health plan benefits. Self-insured employers will have the flexibility to apply the same no-cost structure.
All virtual care provided through Doctor on Demand is now available at no cost for all Blue Cross members in commercial plans and Medicare
There will be no cost for all virtual medical and behavioral health services offered by Doctor on Demand through April 14, 2020. Given the nature of this pandemic, seeking in-person medical care may lead to further spreading of the virus; therefore Blue Cross encourages the use of virtual care whenever possible.
Additional Blue Cross coverage commitments for COVID-19
These coverage changes are in addition to those announced by Blue Cross on March 6, 2020:
- Blue Cross will cover the full cost of medically necessary diagnostic tests consistent with CDC guidance related to diagnosing COVID-19.
- Blue Cross will waive all prior authorization for tests and covered services that are medically necessary and consistent with CDC guidance if diagnosed with COVID-19.
- For members who have Prime Therapeutics as their Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM), Blue Cross will increase access to prescription medications through a waiver of early medication refill limits on 30-day prescription maintenance medications (consistent with member’s benefit plan) and/or encouraging members to use 90-day mail order benefit.
Blue Cross remains vigilant and focused in our efforts to ensure we are doing all we can to ensure the health and safety of our members and our associates. Timely information and updates can be found at bluecrossmn.com/coronavirus.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, with headquarters in the St. Paul suburb of Eagan, was chartered in 1933 as Minnesota’s first health plan and continues to carry out its charter mission today: to promote a wider, more economical and timely availability of health services for the people of Minnesota. A nonprofit, taxable organization, Blue Cross is the largest health plan based in Minnesota, covering 2.9 million members in Minnesota and nationally through its health plans or plans administered by its affiliated companies. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, headquartered in Chicago.
MAA COVID-19 INFORMATION DISCLAIMER:
The Medical Alley Association is providing COVID-19 related information, including the “COVID-19 Resource Connect” feature on its website and summaries of laws, executive orders, and government programs that may be of interest to members, as a public service. The Medical Alley Association makes no representations, guarantees, or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, currency, or suitability of the COVID-19 related information provided by the Medical Alley Association on its website, in newsletters, or in any other communications. The Medical Alley Association specifically disclaims any and all liability for any claims or damages that may result from providing COVID-19 related information online or in other communications or linking to third party websites or other sources of information. The Medical Alley Association makes no effort to independently verify, and does not exert editorial control over, information provided by third parties.
The Medical Alley Association does not endorse any of the products, vendors, consultants, or documentation referenced in, or connected to parties through, the COVID-19 Resource Connect feature or via this email or other communications.
