Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas is waiving cost-sharing for treatment of COVID-19 for the next 60 days.
It will include coverage for testing and treatment administered at a doctor’s office, urgent care facility and emergency room, as well as inpatient hospital stays. It applies to fully insured members, along with those who receive their insurance through Medicare Advantage plans.
The insurance company will also be working with self-funded customers who want to implement a similar approach.
The company has already expanded coverage to help members by waiving member cost sharing, including co-pays and deductibles, until May 15 for the following services:
- Medically necessary diagnostic tests related to COVID-19 and the cost of the visit to doctor’s office, urgent care, telehealth, and emergency room used for diagnostic testing of COVID-19
- Related services (flu tests, respiratory illness tests) provided during urgent care, emergency room, or in-person or telehealth provider visits that result in an order for or administration of a covered diagnostic test for COVID-19.
- Telehealth services for any visit that is medically reasonable to be done using this technology. The visit does not have to be specific to COVID-19 testing. The use of telehealth will help to lower the spread of germs and lessen the burden on the Kansas healthcare system.
- BCBSKS will also allow members to refill prescription medications before they are due to be refilled.
“We understand our members are facing many challenges every day, as we work to slow the spread of this disease, said Matt All, president/CEO in a news release. “Helping them through this time by alleviating some of their healthcare costs is the right thing to do.”
