Updates >
Updates >
-39848d655b5f2f47c58dba1f3e9d776c4aa6afcd.png?v=04082020155027)
We’re here for you. With headquarters in Rochester, NY, and offices in Syracuse, Elmira, Binghamton and Utica – your community is our community. Our employees are your neighbors. We’re all in this together. This page will be updated regularly with new information and resources to help you and your family through COVID-19.
Commercial Group Members
- No cost to members for COVID-19 testing according to our policy
- No cost to members for office, urgent care, or ER visits related to COVID-19
- For fully insured employer group plan members, no cost to members for telehealth visits, no cost for treatment, including inpatient care, for confirmed COVID-19 cases
- For self-insured group plan members, please consult with your employer’s human resources or health benefits representative for COVID-19 related benefits
- For fully insured employer group plan members, pre-authorization is waived for inpatient, outpatient hospital services, skilled nursing facility and home care agency services following an inpatient stay from March 20, 2020 – June 18, 2020. For self-insured group plan members, please consult with your employer’s human resources or health benefits representative
- There are several options available to members who are losing coverage
- Extended timeframes to file appeals
- Early medication refills available for prescriptions during state of emergency
- Waiver of early refills limits for 30 or 90-day supplies of medications
- Home delivery available for up to 90-day supply of medication at one time
- For fully insured employer group plan members, waiver of cost share for in-network outpatient mental health services for essential workers from May 2, 2020 through January 26, 2021. For self-insured group plan members, please consult with your employer’s human resources or health benefits representative.
- If you are unsure whether your employer group’s health benefits plan is fully insured or self-funded, please inquire with your employer’s human resources or health benefits representative
Medicare Advantage Members
- No cost to members for COVID-19 testing according to our policy
- No cost to members for office, urgent care, or ER visits related to COVID-19
- No cost to members for telehealth visits
- No cost for treatment, including inpatient care for confirmed COVID-19 cases
- Pre-authorization is waived for inpatient, outpatient hospital services, skilled nursing facilities and home care agencies following an inpatient stay from March 20, 2020 – June 18, 2020
- Current 2- month grace period for premium payments extended through December 31, 2020
- Special election period from March 1, 2020 through July 1, 2020
- Extended timeframes to file appeals
- Early medication refills available for prescriptions during state of emergency
- Waiver of early refills limits for 30 or 90-day supplies of medications
- Home delivery available for up to 90-day supply of medication at one time
Medicaid, HARP, Subsidized Child Health Plus Members
- No cost to members for COVID-19 testing according to our policy
- No cost to members for office, urgent care, or ER Visits related to COVID-19
- No cost to members for telehealth/teledental visits for any reason during the NY state of emergency
- Consistent with regular benefits, no cost share for COVID treatment
- Pre-authorization is waived for inpatient, outpatient hospital services, skilled nursing facilities and home care agencies following an inpatient stay from March 20, 2020 – June 18, 2020
- Grace period for premium payments
- Special Enrollment Period through December 31, 2020
- Members who were extended with an end date of July 31, 2020 will be extended to March 31, 2021. Members extended with an end date of August 31, 2020 will be extended to April 30, 2021. The purpose of these extensions is to get members back on their normal renewal schedule. Renewals that were already scheduled to end July 31, 2020 and August 31, 2020 will be extended (12 months) from their original end date.
- Extended timeframes to file appeals
- Early prescription refills available during state of emergency
- Waiver of early refills limits for 30 or 90-day supplies of medications
- Home delivery available for up to 90-day supply of medication
Essential Plan and Full Pay Child Health Plus Members
- No cost to members for viral COVID-19 testing according to our policy
- No cost to members for office, urgent care, or ER Visits related to COVID-19
- No cost to members for telehealth visits
- Consistent with regular benefits, no cost share for COVID treatment
- Pre-authorization is waived for inpatient, outpatient hospital services, skilled nursing facilities and home care agencies following an inpatient stay from March 20, 2020 – June 18, 2020
- Special enrollment period through December 31, 2020
- If you have been paying your premium on time, but are having trouble paying your April premium, we will extend your grace period to June 1, 2020
- Extended timeframes to file appeals
- Early medication refills available for prescriptions during state of emergency
- Waiver of early refills limits for 30 or 90-day supplies of medications
- Home delivery available for up to 90-day supply of medication at one time
- Waiver of cost share for in-network outpatient mental health services for essential workers from May 2, 2020 through January 26, 2021.
Qualified Health Plan Members
- No cost to members for viral COVID-19 testing according to our policy
- No cost to members for office, urgent care, or ER Visits related to COVID-19
- No cost to members for telehealth visits
- No cost for treatment, including inpatient care for confirmed COVID-19 cases
- Pre-authorization is waived for inpatient, outpatient hospital services, skilled nursing facilities and home care agencies following an inpatient stay from March 20, 2020 – June 18, 2020
- Special enrollment period through December 31, 2020
- If you have been paying your premium on time, but are having trouble paying your April premium, we will extend your grace period to June 1, 2020
- The grace period for the Advanced Premium Tax Credit is extended to the end of the public health emergency.
- Extended timeframes to file appeals
- Early medication refills available for prescriptions during state of emergency
- Waiver of early refills limits for 30 or 90-day supplies of medications
- Home delivery available for up to 90-day supply of medication at one time
- Waiver of cost share for in-network outpatient mental health services for essential workers from May 2, 2020 through January 26, 2021.
You are not responsible for any charges from a Health Plan participating provider beyond your applicable deductible, copayment, or coinsurance, including any fees charged for PPE. If you have paid PPE charges to a Health Plan participating provider, you should contact the provider and obtain a refund. If you would like to submit a complaint to us about charges for PPE from a participating provider, please contact us toll-free:
- Commercial Group, Medicare, and Qualified Health Plan members, call 1-800-499-1275
- Medicaid and Child Health Plus members, call 1-800-650-4359
- Essential Plan members, call 1-877-626-9298
Physical barriers should never get in the way of human connections. That’s why at Excellus BCBS, you have access to extra support for emotional well-being in several different ways:
- If you already have a therapist or mental health clinician: Ask your provider in advance if they are equipped to conduct telehealth visits via telephone, e-mail or video chat. Telehealth visits are covered at no charge beginning March 13, 2020.
- Our telemedicine partner, MDLive offers access to licensed therapists for video chat by appointment. Telehealth visits are covered at no charge beginning March 13, 2020.
- Download the free Wellframe app to chat via text with a Excellus BCBS Health Coach or Nurse who can provide access to our team of behavioral health specialists for support and access to resources.
- Our 24/7 Nurse Line provides access to nurses available to speak with you whenever you need it.
You’re not alone. Excellus BCBS is here to support you when you need it most.
-fd0132ea65ed2adc2f8cfc87d8e98d60c1a161a9.png?v=04242020191247)
Free to all members, our nurses and health coaches are available to chat with you via text through the Wellframe app. Wellframe is also a helpful resource to manage conditions such as pre-diabetes, diabetes, obesity, and more.
- Connect with a dedicated nurse care manager
- Conveniently text with health care professionals when you need it
- Create a personalized health plan and track progress
- Receive daily tips, reminders, and videos on a host of different topics
Downloading the Wellframe app is simple and easy. Use Access Code Excellus when registering. For more information, log into your online account to get started.
Outside of this COVID-19 crisis, we know that access to care for routine health information is difficult to find right now. Because we’re focused on your health and well-being, our team of nurses, social workers, respiratory therapists and mental health coaches are here to support you.
24/7 Nurse Line: You can contact an Excellus BCBS nurse by phone anytime – 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our specially trained registered nurses can provide support and education for members.
Ask a Nurse Today! Call 1-800-348-9786 (TDD/TTY 1-800-662-1220).
The 24/7 Nurse Call Line is a service provided to our members to support their relationship with their health care providers. The information provided is intended to help educate members, not to replace the advice of a medical professional. If you are experiencing severe symptoms such as sharp pains, fever, loss of bodily function control, vomiting or any other immediate medical concern, dial 911 or contact a physician directly.
Our pharmacy team has been closely monitoring the supply of medications that are available during the COVID-19 outbreak. We’re taking several actions to ensure our members have access to clinically appropriate medications.
- Waiving early medication refill limits on 30 or 90-day prescription maintenance medications (consistent with your benefit plan) during state of emergency.
- Obtain up to a 90-day supply of your medication at one time by using safe and easy home delivery. Your medications will be delivered right to your home.
- If you’re a Medicare member, get started with home delivery service.
- All other members, connect with a mail service pharmacy.
If you need assistance unrelated to health insurance, or you’re seeking ways to help others near you, try these sites to find resources in your area:
Copyright © {{CurrentYear}} Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, a nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. All rights reserved.
Y0028_7182_C
