Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Responds to COVID-19 with Expanded Telehealth Program

March 13, 2020

We are improving access to care for your covered employees by expanding the telehealth “virtual visits” program in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

“We’re committed to helping our members, employer customers and our own employees stay informed about COVID-19 and assisting those who may be affected,” said Steve Hamman, president of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL). “To give our members flexible options to access care, which can help reduce the spread of serious infections, we are expanding our telehealth coverage in Illinois.”

Effective March 10, 2020, we began covering telehealth “virtual” visits with in-network Illinois providers for eligible BCBSIL PPO and Blue Choice members. This means your qualified covered employees whose own provider offers the telehealth* service will now have that benefit covered as a regular office visit.

This coverage benefit is in addition to the telehealth benefits currently offered to eligible employer groups by MDLIVE®. MDLIVE is a vendor that offers telehealth by independently contracted board-certified doctors.

Covered telehealth visits include two-way, live interactive telephone communication and online digital consultations that allow your concerned employees to connect with their physicians while reducing the risk of exposure to contagious viruses or further illness.

Employees with questions about their benefits should call the number on their member BCBSIL ID card.

*Telehealth benefits will continue to be evaluated over time by BCBSIL to help ensure appropriate range and scope.