Overview

Qualified Health Plans, which include all health insurance policies offered through Stride, will provide coverage and peace of mind for members affected by coronavirus.

• Utilize your telemedicine benefits - Many carriers offer virtual visits with doctors and nurses. Call your carrier to learn more!
• Extend your prescription supply to 90-days & get them delivered - Talk to your doctor about extending your prescription supply from 30 to 90-days. Call your pharmacy to see if they can mail you your medicine (many offer this at no cost).
• Tests for COVID-19 will be covered by your plan, but consult your doctor so they can determine if it's necessary - Tests for COVID-19 are considered an essential health benefit, meaning your insurance company, Medicaid, and Medicare must treat it as a covered service. 
• What about copays and coinsurance? Almost all major insurance companies agreed to waive copays and coinsurance for testing and testing related visits for COVID-19. For treatment you may still be subject to your plan's copays and coinsurance depending the insurance company. They will also be covering telemedicine related to coronavirus and have pledged no surprise billing. 

Please consult Stride's Coronavirus Resource Guide For Independent Workers for additional information. 

Anthem:

"Your Anthem health plan will cover the care you get if you’re diagnosed as having COVID-19, based on your plan’s benefits. It’ll also cover testing for COVID-19. You’ll pay any out-of-pocket expenses your plan requires unless otherwise determined by state law or regulation."

• Source: Coronavirus COVID FAQ: What it is, how you can prevent it, what your Anthem benefits cover 
• Most recently updated Anthem Resource: https://www.anthem.com/coronavirus/

Blue Cross Blue Shield (All States) 

Find out what Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies are messaging members across the country during the COVID-19 pandemic. Follow the link below for a state by state map to connect with your local Blue Cross and Blue Shield company.

• COVID-19 and the Blues

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona:

"While there have been just two cases in Arizona, we are putting an emergency response plan in place and working with all appropriate agencies, especially the Arizona Department of Health Services, to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus in Arizona."

• Source: Get the facts. Protect your health. 

Blue Shield of California:

"Blue Shield of California will cover the costs of COVID-19 tests recommended by a doctor and waive out-of-pocket costs (copays, coinsurance, and deductibles) for: Doctor visits for screenings, Emergency room (ER) or hospital visits for screenings, Urgent care visits for screenings."

• Source: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19): What you need to know

Blue Cross North Carolina:

"Blue Cross NC is supporting our commercial members and North Carolina providers by promoting and implementing the following measures:

• Improving virtual access to doctors – Effective March 6.
  • Blue Cross NC will expand and promote access to virtual visits with primary care providers, where available. This will further encourage the use of virtual visits and allow doctors to monitor members at home, minimizing the spread of infection and easing the burden on emergency rooms.
• Ensuring access to acute care – Effective March 6.
  • Blue Cross NC will work to expedite approvals in order to support members needing care related to COVID-19; specifically relating to hospitalization, post-acute care and medical equipment needed in the home.
• Ensuring access to medications – Effective March 6.
  • Blue Cross NC will waive early medication refill limits on 30-day prescription maintenance medications consistent with the CDC recommendation to have a 1-month supply of medication on hand. Member cost sharing will apply as normal

These measures will remain in effect for a 30-day period, and then be re-evaluated."

• Source: THE LATEST UPDATES ON THE CORONAVIRUS FROM BLUE CROSS NC

Cigna:

"Customers will have access to coronavirus (COVID-19) testing, as prescribed by health practitioners, and the company will waive all co-pays or cost-shares... Cigna has committed to covering the medical test similar to a preventive benefit for fully-insured plans, thereby waiving co-pays, coinsurance or deductibles for customers."

"Cigna is standing up a 24/7 customer resource center specifically dedicated to help customers with any administrative barriers related to coronavirus-related claims."

• Source: Cigna covers cost of coronavirus tests for customers
• Cigna Coronavirus Resource Center

Kaiser:

"If you or a family member have traveled recently to an area of risk and have these symptoms, you should call your doctor for advice. Kaiser Permanente members should call our 24/7 Appointment and Advice Call Center at 866-454-8855 immediately. It’s important to call before you come in! Calling ahead helps us direct you to the most appropriate care, and take precautions to protect you, other patients, and employees."

• Source: Novel coronavirus/COVID-19

Florida Blue:

"If it is determined that coronavirus testing is needed, Florida Blue will work directly with providers, state health officials and the CDC to ensure any COVID-19 testing and applicable treatment for our members is covered according to their health plan benefits."

• Source: Two COVID-19 Cases Confirmed in Florida; Here’s How to Help Protect Your Family
• Florida Blue Blog

Health Net: 

"When medically necessary diagnostic testing or medical screening services are ordered and/or referred by a licensed health care provider, we will cover the cost of medically necessary COVID-19 tests and the associated physician’s visit. If applicable, your plan’s copayment, coinsurance and/or deductible cost-sharing will be waived for medically necessary COVID-19 diagnostic testing and/or medical screening services."

• Source: Health Net News and Updates

LA Care: 

"L.A. Care has waived all costs associated with screening, testing and medically-necessary treatment for COVID-19. If you are asked to pay for screening, testing or medically-necessary treatment related to COVID-19, please call the L.A. Care Member Services phone number on the back of your Member ID card."

• For more information: What You Should Know About COVID-19

Oscar:

"It’s always best to consult with your medical provider, particularly if you’ve potentially come in contact with someone who may have been exposed to the disease. Your Concierge Team can connect you with our Doctor on Call telemedicine service or help you find the right physician in your area."

• Source: Helping our members understand COVID-19, the infectious disease caused by coronavirus

Regence (BCBS of Oregon, Utah, Idaho, and Washington):

"We have adjusted our “refill too soon” policy for all medications except opioids to allow our members to have the medications they need on hand. For medications that treat chronic conditions, members may also request a 90-day refill. Our employees remain highly focused on planning and readiness to ensure we are here to support members and customers. This includes reaching out to provide personalized support as we learn of members diagnosed with the virus."

• Source: Update on coronavirus (COVID-19) and how you can protect yourself

More information from insurance carriers