Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program Waives Cost Shares and Prior Authorization to Support Members' Care for Coronavirus

WASHINGTON, March 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program^® (FEP^®) announced today that it will waive cost-sharing for coronavirus diagnostic testing, waive prior authorization requirements for treatment and take other steps to enhance access to care for those needing treatment for COVID-19 to ensure its members can swiftly access the right care in the right setting during the outbreak.

These changes, which have been approved by the Office of Personnel Management, will ensure that nearly 6 million federal employees, retirees and their families have comprehensive, accessible care. They include:

1. FEP will waive prior authorizations for diagnostic tests and for covered services that are medically necessary and consistent with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance if diagnosed with COVID-19.
   
   
2. Similarly, FEP will waive any copays or deductibles for diagnostic tests or treatment that are medically necessary and consistent with CDC guidance if diagnosed with COVID-19.   
   
   
3. FEP will increase access to prescription medications by waiving early medication refill limits on 30-day prescription maintenance medications. FEP will also encourage members to use 90-day mail order benefit.
   
   
4. FEP will also eliminate any cost share for prescriptions for up to a 14-day supply. 
   
   
5. FEP will waive copays for telehealth services related to COVID-19. 

"As Americans continue to monitor the coronavirus outbreak, one thing they should not be concerned with is whether Blue Cross and Blue Shield will be there for them," said William A. Breskin, senior vice president of government programs for the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. "We take our members' health very seriously and want to make sure there are no barriers to their seeking appropriate care if they become sick."

FEP and Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies are following CDC prevention guidelines and other federal recommendations and will continue to support and protect the health and well-being of its members, their families and the community. These actions will apply to all FEP members of the 36 U.S. and Puerto Rico-based BCBS companies, including those members located overseas, when applicable.

For more information on FEP's policy changes, please visit www.fepblue.org for details on the expansion of benefits and services. Members can also call the National Information Center at 1-800-411-BLUE (2583). If you are not an FEP member and have questions about your health plan, please contact your local BCBS Company: bcbs.com/memberservices.

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 and Blue Shield Association

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