April 2, 2020
Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska is here to support members, healthcare providers, and employers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
This FAQ can help answer your questions and is updated regularly to provide you with the most accurate information.
Key Updates:
- Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska is waiving cost shares and deductibles for all COVID-19 related inpatient and outpatient testing and treatment effective April 2, 2020. This cost share waiver will continue through October 1, 2020. See the FAQ for details.
- Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, health plans will provide coverage for diagnostic testing during an office, telehealth, urgent care center, or emergency room visit, including U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved COVID-19 diagnostic testing products and items and services related to testing.
- Premera is expanding its in-network telehealth network, waiving cost shares, and increasing network capacity through June 30, 2020. This expansion covers both COVID-19 related and non-COVID-19 telehealth visits. The correct telehealth codes must continue to be used. See the FAQ for details.
- Premera is extending prior authorization timelines to 6 months from the date of approval for prior authorizations requested through April 30, 2020. We're also suspending the initial and concurrent medical necessity reviews for skilled nursing facilities through April 30, 2020.
- There are specific coding instructions provided by the CDC, WHO, and CMS related to COVID-19. We urge you to use COVID-19 coding for patients so cost shares may be waived appropriately.
If you have health plan questions not covered in these resources, call our customer service team at the number on the back of the member ID card, or your provider network team.