As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, BlueChoice HealthPlan is here for our members. This week, we will mail a postcard to your covered employees notifying them that we began making COVID-19 related benefit changes March 12, 2020 and these changes will be in effect through the end of the applicable COVID-19 public health emergency period or until their policy expires, whichever comes first. The postcard refers members to our website to access a Notice of Benefit Coverage Plan Changes.
Here is a printable version of the notice.
Notice of COVID-19 Benefit Plan Changes
Due to COVID-19, we have made benefit changes to your policy starting March 12, 2020. These temporary changes will remain in effect until the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency period. The changes meet the needs of our policyholders and comply with federal and state requirements.
- Testing for the COVID-19 virus includes Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing and serology testing.
- PCR diagnostic testing for COVID-19 is covered at no cost to you when ordered by an attending healthcare provider. The test must be provided at the point of care for individuals who are symptomatic and are concerned about infection. The test must also be ordered for the purpose of identifying and treating active disease.
- Serology (antibody) testing will be covered at no cost to you when medically appropriate for an individual, as determined and ordered by their attending health care provider. The test should be ordered after an evaluation of the individual and in accordance with accepted standards of current medical practice.
- Serology (antibody) testing is not to be used as a sole means of diagnosis of COVID-19 infection.
- We have waived prior authorization for diagnostic tests and related services for members diagnosed with COVID-19. These tests and services must follow CDC guidelines.
- We have waived all out-of-pocket costs for in-network COVID-19 medical treatment for members.
- A temporary safe harbor lets HSA-eligible HDHPs provide coverage for telehealth and other remote care services without a deductible, or with a deductible less than the minimum yearly deductible otherwise required by the law. This safe harbor is effective March 27, 2020. It applies to plan years starting on or before December 31, 2021.
These changes do not apply to short-term, limited duration insurance or to “excepted benefit” plans/coverage. They also don’t apply to a group health plan that does not cover at least two employees who are current employees (such as retirement only plans). For more COVID-19 information, visit our website at www.BlueChoiceSC.com/COVID-19.
For your covered employees that do not have a computer or internet access, they can call the number on the back of their ID card. Member Services can print a copy of the notice and mail it to them.
If you have any questions, please contact your BlueChoice® representative or call Marketing Support Services at 866-280-0766.
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