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July 23, 2020

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Update on benefit changes related to COVID‑19

[For Self‑funded Employers]

To help members receive the care they need during the COVID‑19 pandemic, we will extend additional benefit changes through the end of the year. The following benefit changes will now be in effect through December 31, 2020:

  • Waiving prior authorizations for acute inpatient admissions from the emergency department at in‑network facilities for members with a COVID‑19 diagnosis.
  • Waiving prior authorization requirements for transfers from acute in‑network, inpatient facilities to post‑acute, in‑network facilities for members with a COVID‑19 diagnosis.
  • Coverage for consumer‑grade pulse oximeters prescribed by a health professional.

Below is a link to a document outlining all the benefit changes we have made over the last few months and their expiration dates:

Self‑funded COVID‑19 provisions chart

No action is required unless you want to make a change to your previous opt‑in and opt‑out decisions. For any benefit changes you opted out of, you will remain opted out. If you did not opt out, you will remain opted in until the expiration dates noted in the chart.

You can opt out of coverage for consumer‑grade pulse oximeters, however, you cannot opt out of the prior authorization changes. If you wish to opt out of coverage for consumer‑grade pulse oximeters, please let your account executive know by July 29. If you decide at a later point that you wish to end coverage of the COVID‑19 provisions, please provide your account executive with at least 14 days’ notice to change the plan. Changes will be effective the first of the following month.

 
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Independence Blue Cross offers products through its subsidiaries Independence Hospital Indemnity Plan, Keystone Health Plan East and QCC Insurance Company, and with Highmark Blue Shield — independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.