Decision Needed: ASO Groups Can Waive Member Cost Sharing for COVID-19 Treatment

Please share this information with your ASO group clients. A news alert will be sent later today to self-funded accounts.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma (BCBSOK) is waiving member cost-sharing, including deductibles, copayments and coinsurance, related to treatment for COVID-19. The waiver applies to costs associated with COVID-19 treatment at in-network facilities and treatment for out-of-network emergencies.

The new policy applies to all BCBSOK fully insured group plan, individual and family plan, Medicare (excluding Part D plans) and Medicare Supplement members. Our policy is effective for treatment received April 1 through May 31, 2020. BCBSOK will continue to reassess this policy as circumstances warrant.

We are offering this option to all our ASO customers.

ASO groups: To select this temporary cost-sharing waiver option for your health plan (waiving member cost-sharing, including deductibles, copayments and coinsurance, related to treatment for COVID-19, at in-network facilities and treatment for out-of-network emergencies), please notify your account representative by Friday, April 10, that you want to add the “COVID-19 Cost Sharing Expansion.” Cost sharing will be waived for dates of service from April 1 through May 31, 2020. This date is subject to extension as circumstances warrant. We will contact you, in the event we extend this date.

Additional coverage notes: COVID-19 Cost Sharing Expansion is available for HDHP, Grandfathered and Grandmothered plans.

Important Notice for ASO Group Customers: BCBSOK is working to assist and support our ASO group plan sponsors and members during this COVID-19 public health emergency. As part of this assistance and support, we have added plan benefits and services that ASO customers are required by law to provide under their health plan. We are also making available benefits and services that plans are being encouraged by federal and state governments to provide as part of an effort to combat, reduce the spread of and treat COVID-19.

Action needed: You should contact your BCBSOK account executive to instruct us to add the COVID-19 Cost-sharing Expansion coverage described above. Nothing in this communication modifies or relieves any ASO group plan sponsors of their obligations under the law, nor does it impact or change BCBSOK’s role as claims administrator.