Health Insurance Providers Respond to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The health and well-being of millions of Americans remains our highest priority. Health insurance providers are committed to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus strain COVID-19. We are activating emergency plans to ensure that Americans have access to the prevention, testing, and treatment needed to handle the current situation.

While most reported cases of COVID-19 are in other countries, the number of cases in the United States continues to increase. Here are some ways health insurance providers are taking action:

• Aetna will waive co-pays for all diagnostic testing related to COVID-19, according to CVS Health. That includes all member costs associated with diagnostic testing at any authorized location for Commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid lines of business. Self-insured plan sponsors will be able to opt-out of the program at their discretion. Aetna is also offering zero co-pay telemedicine visits for any reason, and it is extending its Medicare Advantage virtual evaluation and monitoring visit benefit to all fully insured members. People diagnosed with COVID-19 will receive a care package. CVS Health is also offering several programs to help people address associated anxiety and stress.
• Anthem will cover the cost of coronavirus testing with no out-of-pocket cost. Anthem also confirms that prior authorization is not required for diagnostic services related to COVID-19 testing. The company recommends using telehealth when possible to help prevent the spread of a virus. It is also encouraging its members to talk to their doctor about whether it is appropriate for them to change from a 30-day supply of their regular medications to a 90-day supply.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield Association announced that its network of 36 independent and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies will waive prior authorizations for diagnostic tests and covered services for COVID-19, cover those tests at no cost share to members, waive prescription refill limits on maintenance medications, and expand access to telehealth and nurse/provider hotlines. This applies to fully insured, individual, and Medicare Advantage plan members, and plans are working with state Medicaid and CHIP agencies to ensure people have access to needed testing and services.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts will cover the costs of diagnostic testing for COVID-19 for fully insured members. Self-funded groups will have the ability to opt-in. The company will also cover the cost of a COVID-19 vaccine when it is available, and will waive co-payments for COVID-19 treatment at doctor’s offices, emergency rooms and urgent care centers. It is removing administrative barriers such as prior authorizations and referrals, waiving copays for its telehealth platform, and allowing early access to refills of prescription medications.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan will waive prior authorizations for diagnostic tests and covered services for COVID-19, cover those tests at no cost share to members, waive prescription refill limits on maintenance medications, and expand access to telehealth and nurse/provider hotlines. This applies to fully insured and Medicare Advantage plan members. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan will also work to support self-insured customers who choose to take similar actions.
• Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota will waive prior authorizations for diagnostic tests and covered services for COVID-19, cover those tests at no cost share to members, waive prescription refill limits on maintenance medications, and expand access to telehealth and nurse/provider hotlines. This applies to fully insured employer, individual and Medicare members. Self-insured employers will have the flexibility to apply the same no-cost structure.
• Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas will not apply co-pays or deductibles for testing to diagnose COVID-19, and will not require preauthorization.
• BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina will cover members’ cost for COVID-19 testing and will not require prior approval for COVID-19 testing. The company is also expanding virtual access to doctors and will waive early medication refill limits. These changes apply to fully insured, Medicare Advantage and Federal Employee Program members. Self-funded employer groups will be given the option to apply these changes to their employees’ plans.
• BlueCross BlueShield Of Tennessee will waive all member co-pays and cost sharing on FDA-approved testing for COVID-19. This coverage decision applies for BlueCross members in insured group, individual, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid plans. Employers who offer self-funded plans have the option to include COVID-19 testing as a preventive benefit without cost-sharing for their employees.
• Blue Shield of California will waive all cost-sharing and any prior approval for COVID-19 testing for fully insured commercial and Medi-Cal plans. This includes cost-sharing for hospital, urgent care, emergency room, and office visits where the visit is to screen or test for the virus. Blue Shield also will not require prior authorization for medically necessary emergency care. Blue Shield is working closely with self-funded plan sponsors to confirm coverage levels for their employees. Blue Shield is closely monitoring impact to prescription drug supply and will take immediate steps to ensure members have access to medications. It is encouraging use of telehealth services.
• Bright Health will cover diagnostic testing for COVID-19 with no cost sharing.
• CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield will waive prior authorizations for diagnostic tests and covered services for COVID-19, cover those tests at no cost share to members, waive early medication refill limits, and encourage alternative sites of care if a member’s primary care doctor is not available.
• Cigna is covering the cost of coronavirus testing, waiving all co-pays or cost-shares for fully insured plans, including employer-provided coverage, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and individual market plans available through the Affordable Care Act. Organizations that offer Administrative Services Only (ASO) plans will also have the option to include coronavirus testing as a preventive benefit. Recognizing that health outbreaks can increase feelings of stress, anxiety and sleeplessness and sometimes loss. Cigna is also staffing a second phone line for customers.
• EmblemHealth will waive members’ out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 testing, including emergency room, urgent care, and office visits.
• Florida Blue will waive all copays and deductibles for the medical testing for COVID-19 for members who are part of its commercial insurance plans, including the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Individual and Medicare Advantage plans. The company is waiving early medication refill limits on 30-day prescriptions, is encouraging the use of virtual care, and is offering mental health support for experiencing stress from COVID-19.
• Health Alliance Plan (HAP) will waive cost-sharing for COVID-19 testing. This applies to Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, fully insured, and individual plan members. Self-insured plans have the opportunity to opt-in.
• Health Net will waive co-pays for screenings and tests for COVID-19.
• Highmark will cover coronavirus testing, when recommended by a medical professional, for members of its fully insured group customers, as well as members of its Medicare Advantage and ACA plans. Self-insured health plan sponsors will be able to opt-out of the program.
• Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey will waive prior authorizations for diagnosis of COVID-19, cover the full cost of diagnostic testing for COVID-19, waive early medication refill limits for 30-day prescription medications, and provide access to telehealth services at no cost.
• Independence Blue Cross will cover and waive cost-sharing (such as co-pays and coinsurance) for the COVID-19 test when performed at a hospital or an approved laboratory. This includes members enrolled in fully insured plans, employer-sponsored plans, Medicare Advantage and the individual and family plans available through the Affordable Care Act. Self-funded plans will be able to opt-out of this program. Independence has lifted prescription refill restrictions, such as the “refill too soon” limit, for members in states that have declared a state of emergency because of the virus, and is encouraging the use of telemedicine.
• Molina Healthcare will waive all member costs associated with testing for COVID-19. Any related visit to a primary care doctor, urgent care or emergency care does not require prior authorization.
• Oscar will waive cost-sharing for diagnostic testing for COVID-19, and continues to offer telemedicine services at no cost.
• Optima Health will waive out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic testing for COVID-19 for commercial, Medicaid and Medicare Advantage members. It is also offering free telehealth visits to members for the next 90 days. Self-insured plans may opt out of this offering.
• Regence BlueShield of Idaho will cover the cost of coronavirus testing without any out-of-pocket costs for fully insured members. Regence is working with federal officials to ensure coordination of benefits for Medicare members and those with health savings accounts (HSA). Regence is also easing access through virtual care, as well as access to regularly prescribed medications.
• Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon is covering COVID-19 testing at no cost, easing access to virtual care, easing access to regular prescription drugs, and proactively reaching out to high-risk members.
• Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah will cover the cost of coronavirus testing without any out-of-pocket costs for fully insured members. Regence is working with federal officials to ensure coordination of benefits for Medicare members and those with health savings accounts (HSA). Regence is also easing access through virtual care, as well as access to regularly prescribed medications.
• Regence BlueShield of Washington is taking action across its four-state footprint, including covering COVID-19 testing at no cost, easing access to virtual care, easing access to regular prescription drugs, and proactively reaching out to high-risk members.
• UCare will waive all copays, coinsurance or deductibles for doctor-ordered COVID-19 testing in all of its plans.
• United Healthcare will cover the cost of doctor visits and testing for COVID-19, waiving member costs for approved diagnostic testing for all commercially insured, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid members. United Healthcare will also work to support self-insured customers who choose to take similar actions. The company has also opened Optum’s Emotional-Support Help Line, free of charge to anyone who may be suffering from fear or stress of COVID-19.
• UPMC and UPMC Health Plan will waive any applicable deductibles, copayments, or other cost-sharing for COVID-19 testing when ordered by a member’s treating medical provider. This no-cost coverage of COVID-19 testing as a preventive service will apply for members in all of UPMC’s commercial UPMC Advantage group and individual products, UPMC for Life Medicare Advantage plans, and UPMC for You Medical Assistance plans. Self-insured or administrative services only (ASO) employer groups will be permitted to opt-out of preventive coverage at their discretion.
• Valley Health Plan will waive out-of-pocket costs for screening and testing for COVID-19. It is also waiving other hospital, urgent care, and primary care physician fees for members showing symptoms of COVID-19. The company is waiving prescription refill limits and encouraging the use of telehealth.

BRMS will continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19 closely. We are working with our partners to continue delivering affordable access to high-quality health care that our members deserve.