Update: Extensions on Telehealth Cost-sharing and COVID-19 Treatment Coverage

May 21, 2020

We are closely monitoring activity around COVID-19 and are committed to helping our employer customers and members stay informed. We’re extending some of our relevant benefit dates. See the April 30, 2020, article for previous extension dates. As always, members should call the number on their ID card for answers to their specific benefit questions. 

Benefit	Effective Date	Projected End Date
COVID-19 Testing	3/7/20	Cost-share waiver ends with the end of HHS public health emergency
COVID-19 Testing-related Visits	3/18/20	Cost-share waiver ends with the end of HHS public health emergency
Telehealth** Cost-Sharing	3/18/20	Cost-share waiver ends 6/30/20*
COVID-19 Treatment	4/1/20	Cost-share waiver ends 6/30/20*

*Date change/extension
**Effective March 10, 2020, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) began covering telehealth “virtual” visits with in-network Illinois providers for eligible BCBSIL PPO and Blue Choice members consistent with the terms of the member’s benefit plan. This telehealth benefit option is currently available through Dec. 31, 2020.

Extensions on Telehealth Cost-sharing and COVID-19 Treatment Coverage: As we let you know on April 30, ASO decisions will be extended as BCBSIL makes extensions for fully insured members. An ASO account’s prior decision will remain in place unless the group requests a change from its account executive.

As a reminder, COVID-19 testing and testing-related visits are covered at no cost-share for fully insured and ASO members as required by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act until the end of the federal public health emergency.