Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama announced that it has expanded telehealth coverage effective this past Monday, March 16.

“Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama wants our customers to have peace of mind knowing we are here for them, and their health and well-being is our top priority. We continue to monitor the outbreak of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) in Alabama. In response, Blue Cross will expand telehealth to ease access to appropriate medical services for our customers,” a release from the company stated. “This expansion allows physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and behavioral health practitioners to provide medically necessary services via telephone consultation.”

Telehealth gives BCBS of Alabama members the option to receive their care remotely to limit their exposure to coronavirus and other illnesses. It can also serve as an initial screening for patients who may need testing for the coronavirus.

The released added, “Telehealth is appropriate for consultations and visits for low complexity or routine health conditions. It is also used for ongoing health evaluations and care management. This includes acute illnesses or chronic disease management that, based on the provider’s medical judgment, can be managed over the phone.”

Members are advised to check with their physicians to see if they participate in telehealth. It should be noted that the service is available when an in-network provider is used.

Read more about what BCBS of Alabama is doing in relation to the coronavirus pandemic here.

If BCBS members have questions, they should call the customer service number located on the back of their ID card.

Stay up-to-date on the coronavirus via the Alabama Department of Health here and find related resources from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) here.

For the latest on general COVID-19 developments, visit the CDC’s website.

Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn