BCBSIL Waives Member Cost-Sharing for COVID-19 Treatment

April 10, 2020

To make it easier for our members to get the care and treatment they need, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) is waiving member cost-sharing, including deductibles, copayments and coinsurance, related to treatment for COVID-19. The waiver applies to costs associated with COVID-19 treatment at in-network facilities and treatment for out-of-network emergencies.

The new policy applies to BCBSIL members of:

• Fully insured group plans
• Individual and family plans
• Medicare plans (excluding Part D)
• Medicare Supplement
• Medicaid

We are also offering this to self-insured customers. For details on that decision, along with the decision deadline, please see our April 3 news alert.

Our policy is effective for treatment received April 1 through May 31, 2020. BCBSIL will reassess this policy as circumstances warrant.

Other changes announced by BCBSIL in response to COVID-19 during this public health emergency include:

• Expanding access to telehealth coverage
• Waiving preauthorization and members’ cost-sharing for testing to diagnose COVID-19
• Lifting restrictions on early prescription fills
• Lifting cost-sharing for in-network medically necessary services delivered via telemedicine
• Waiving prior authorization requirements for transfers to in-network, alternative post-acute facilities until April 30, 2020
• Launching a dedicated COVID-19 educational website so members can easily access information and resources around COVID-19
• Opening a special-enrollment period for commercial group account customers
• Launching the COVID-19 Collaborative Grant Fund to provide resources and support to those most impacted by the pandemic

See the latest information on BCBSIL’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and other information and tips to stay healthy.