Medicare Advantage Members
COVID-19 vaccines are here. We’ve created a guide to answer some of your questions. Here’s what you need to know.
We’re here for you during this unusual time. It doesn’t feel good, but together we’ll get through this. We’ve compiled answers to your most asked questions. Look below for info about your health plan’s COVID-19 coverage, ways to protect your health, signs of COVID-19 fraud and more.
Your Health Plan
Yes. We’ll cover and waive member costs for any US FDA-approved tests, as well as those currently pending FDA approval, if your doctor recommends it. We’re also waiving member copays and deductibles for the visit to your provider, urgent care center or emergency room related to a COVID-19 test, as long as the provider is in your network. We’ll still cover the COVID-19 testing and services if you see a provider out of your network, but they may bill you for the difference in their visit charge and our payment to them. Please note that, if you receive additional services or testing in addition to just COVID-19-related testing, your normal costs for that setting will apply.
Please call us at the Member Service number on the back of your Member ID card if you get a bill for COVID-19 testing that you weren’t expecting.
Through new federal government rules, we’ll reimburse you for up to eight rapid over-the-counter at-home COVID-19 tests per month that you pay for out of pocket. These tests must be for personal use, and they can’t be used for any return-to-work testing or work-related testing required by your employer. The eight-test limit is per person on your plan. A package of two tests counts as two toward the limit of eight, and taxes and shipping costs are ineligible for reimbursement.
Any test you take at home that must be sent to a lab for results isn’t currently eligible for reimbursement. However, this type of test when ordered by a provider is covered under your BlueCross medical benefits.
Here’s a list of FDA-approved, -authorized or -cleared tests eligible for reimbursement if purchased on or after Jan. 15, 2022.
Please follow these steps for your reimbursement.
- Download and fill out the COVID-19 OTC At-Home Testing Reimbursement Form here
- Cut out the UPC label (the bar code) from your test box
- Mail the completed form, UPC label and original receipt from the test kit purchase to us at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Claims Service Center, 1 Cameron Hill Circle, Suite 0002, Chattanooga, TN 37402-0002.
Each item above must be the original. Reimbursement requests without all items or with copies or photos of the items won’t be accepted.
Reimbursement for eligible tests will continue throughout the COVID-19 public health emergency.
COVID-19 and Fraud
Your Health
The first step is to stay home and separate yourself from other people or animals as much as possible. That’ll help keep germs from spreading until you can get tested and advice from a doctor.
Next, check with your county health department to schedule at a free testing site or call your primary care provider. If your doctor thinks you need to be tested, they can give you instructions for where to go for testing if their office doesn’t offer it. Many pharmacies and urgent care centers offer testing.
Other than for testing, please stay at home, wear a mask and isolate yourself from others in your home, if possible.
The first step is to stay home and separate yourself from other people or animals as much as possible. That’ll help keep germs from spreading until you can get advice from a doctor.
Next, check with your county health department to schedule at a free testing site or call your primary care provider. If your doctor thinks you need to be tested, they can give you instructions on where to go for testing if their office doesn’t offer it. Many pharmacies and urgent care centers offer testing.
Other than for testing, please stay at home, wear a mask and isolate yourself from others in your home, if possible.
The CDC recently updated its isolation guidelines. If you test positive, stay home for five days, and wear a mask if you have to be around others in your home. Day 1 of five is the first full day after you got symptoms or when you tested. Wear a mask around others until Day 10.
If you have symptoms:
- You can end isolation after Day 5 if you haven’t had a fever for at least 24 hours – without using a fever-reducing medicine – and your symptoms are improving.
If you didn’t have symptoms:
- You may end your isolation after Day 5 of a positive test.
If you had severe symptoms:
- Isolate for 10 days. Talk to your doctor before ending isolation.
Yes. Providers are following some safety social distancing guidelines, so be sure to call their office before your appointment to know what extra safety steps they’ll want you to follow when you get there. You also should take some personal safety measures, including wearing a mask if you’re not fully vaccinated and making sure you don’t have a fever or any signs of COVID-19 before going in person. If you are vaccinated and do not have any symptoms, be sure to consult the level of risk in your area to see the CDC’s guidelines for mask-wearing. If you have any symptoms or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you’ll need to reschedule your appointment.
If you have health issues that put you at higher risk of COVID-19 complications or simply don’t feel comfortable going out in person, many providers are still offering telehealth appointments.
Protecting Yourself and Others
Getting a vaccine is your best protection against COVID-19. Until you’re fully vaccinated, social distancing and wearing a mask are the best ways to protect yourself. Even if you’re vaccinated, the CDC recommends wearing a mask in many situations, depending on the level of risk in your area. Stay up to date on the latest mask guidelines here.
Wash your hands with soap and water frequently, especially if you’re out of your home. Hand sanitizer can help when soap and water are unavailable.
Clean all frequently touched surfaces in your home, car and workspace.
Cover your coughs and sneezes, and immediately throw away the used tissues.
If someone in your house is sick or has symptoms, have them self-isolate away from others in the house. Call their provider for instructions on what to do next.