Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama on Tuesday highlighted the incredible magnitude of the company’s contributions to the continuing battle against COVID-19.
In a press release, BCBS of Alabama advised that it has paid, contributed or made available $230 million related to the pandemic supporting its members, employer customers, providers and communities across the state.
The company has made contributions in support of addressing food scarcity, small business loans, personal protective equipment and meals for healthcare workers, and other relief efforts across the Yellowhammer State. Some programs that have reportedly received BCBS support include United Way Meals on Wheels, Alabama Food Bank, Birmingham Strong, American Red Cross, Alabama Department of Public Health and Jefferson County Department of Health.
“COVID-19 has created unprecedented health and economic challenges for Alabamians,” stated Tim Vines, president and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. “As we continue working to combat COVID-19 throughout the state, it is critical that we continue to care for and support our customers, providers and the communities we serve.”
Blue Cross said that it is also continuing to work with local and state governments and public officials to ensure the company is able to plan for and address current and future needs of its customers, providers and communities across Alabama.
Commitments made by BCBS of Alabama since March include the following:
• Waiving member cost-sharing for COVID-19 diagnostic testing, treatments, and the related in-person or telehealth office visits, urgent care visits and emergency room visits for fully-insured individual, employer-based, Federal Employee Program and Medicare Advantage plans.
• Waiving prior authorizations for COVID-19 diagnostic tests and related covered services that are medically necessary and consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, for all fully insured plans.
• Increasing access to prescription medications by waiving early medication refill limits on prescription medications and encouraging members to use their 90-day retail or mail order benefit.
• Expanding access to telehealth for in-network providers. In addition to office visit consultations by physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners, telehealth also includes physical, speech and occupational therapy, behavioral health, optometry, ophthalmology, chiropractic, dental and dieticians (subject to provider capability).
• Offering interest free cash advances to rural hospitals and primary care physicians
• During March through May, waiving inpatient deductibles, copays and coinsurance for members with coverage through their employer fully insured with Blue Cross, if a member was admitted to an in-network hospital with a COVID-19 related diagnosis.
• Ensuring staff to be specifically available to address inquiries related to medical services and other questions, resulting in timely responses related to COVID-19.
In total, the 36 Blue Cross Blue Shield companies and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program have committed nearly $3 billion nationally in support of members, healthcare workers and local communities fighting the coronavirus pandemic.
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
