Blue Cross and Blue Shield Companies Announce Coverage of Telehealth Services for Members

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Mar 19, 2020, 18:30 ET

CHICAGO, March 19, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association President and CEO, Scott Serota, issued the following statement announcing coverage of telehealth services for members. Please check with each local Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) company for a full understanding of breadth of services since coverage may vary.

"The safety and security of our members – and of all Americans – remains our paramount priority during these unprecedented times. Today, Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies announced a new policy regarding telehealth services that ensures members have swift access to the care needed to get and stay healthy – at no cost to them.

All 36 independently-operated BCBS companies and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program® (FEP®) are expanding coverage for telehealth services for the next 90 days. The expanded coverage includes waiving cost-sharing for telehealth services for fully-insured members and applies to in network telehealth providers who are providing appropriate medical services. We are also advocating for physician and health system adoption of social distancing-encouraged capabilities such as video, chat and/or e-visits. This builds on the commitment we previously announced to ensure swift and smooth access to care during the COVID-19 outbreak."

Steps previously taken by BCBS companies include: covering full costs of medically necessary diagnostic tests related to COVID-19, waiving of prior authorizations for diagnostic tests and covered services for members if diagnosed with COVID-19, increased access to prescription medications, and expanded access to telehealth and nurse/provider hotlines.

Learn More:
For more information, please visit BCBS.com or the CDC coronavirus homepage.

About Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 36 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide health care coverage for one in three Americans. BCBSA provides health care insights through The Health of America Report series and the national BCBS Health Index. For more information on BCBSA and its member companies, please visit bcbs.com. We also encourage you to connect with us on Facebook, check out our videos on YouTube, follow us on Twitter and check out our blog.

SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield Association