Update: COVID-19 Coverage and Eligibility Dates Extended

April 30, 2020

Our focus has been to help our employer customers and members during the COVID-19 outbreak. We are monitoring this pandemic and are extending some of our coverage and eligibility dates.

Extension of COVID Testing and Treatment Coverage

COVID-19 testing and testing-related visits: Extended to end of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ public health emergency.

COVID-19 treatment: Extended to end date of May 31, 2020.

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.

Extension of Telehealth Expansion

Extended to end date of May 31, 2020.

Extension of Relaxed Eligibility Requirements for Employees 
We previously relaxed the eligibility requirements for currently enrolled/covered group members. 

From now through June 30, employers can maintain employees who were enrolled on their plans as of March 20, regardless of the eligibility definition stated in their plan or the Benefit Program Application. The previous date was through April 30.

• Extension is for both group medical coverage and ancillary products.
• Includes reduced work hours, furlough, leave of absence and layoffs.

This flexibility does NOT apply to those who are newly electing coverage via the special enrollment period.

Groups do not need to do anything. No paperwork or email is needed, as we will accept current and accurate eligibility files.

ASO decisions for telehealth expansion can also be extended.

• An ASO account’s prior decision will remain in place unless the group requests a change from its account executive.
• BCBSTX will accommodate changes on a monthly basis.
• Requests received between the first and 15th of every month will begin dates of service the first of the following month.
• Requests received after the 15th of the month will begin dates of service following the next effective period.   

If you would like to make a change from your original decision, please contact your account executive no later than Thursday, April 30. If you don’t communicate that change by April 30, your decision will continue as currently coded. Change decisions made after April 30 cannot be accommodated for a May 1 effective date.