I have been researching this for days!!!!! Medicare has just changed their guidelines. As of March 6 2020 medicare will pay for office, hospital, and other visits furnished by telehealth across the country including patient's home. This applies to treatment of all Dx during the Public Health Emergency. HIPPA has been waived in good faith so you can use video calling such as face time or skype over a smartphone. You have to use an audio-visual telecommunications system that permits real time communication. United Health Care is following Medicare guidelines. BCBS has set up its own telehealth and is encouraging its members to use their system. They have not changed their guidelines. Medicare wants you to use regular EM codes 99201-99215, place of service 02 for telehealth and GT modifier for medicare showing telehealth service and 95 for commercial insurance.
As of 03/20/20: No change with Blue Cross regarding Telehealth, members are still be directed to the Telehealth provided by BlueCare.
https://www.bcbsla.com/covid19
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is closely monitoring the spread of the novel coronavirus and the disease it causes, COVID-19, to determine how it could affect our members, employees and the communities that we serve.
Just as we prepare for weather situations such as hurricanes and floods, we have contingency plans in place to ensure our members have access to the care and medications they need. We will follow U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), federal and state recommendations regarding the coronavirus.
Blue Cross will take the following steps to assist our members during this time:
- Waive Prior Authorizations for Diagnostic Tests and for Covered Services that are Medically Necessary and Consistent with CDC Guidance if diagnosed with COVID-19. Blue Cross will make members of our in-house clinical team of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and others available to address providers’ or members’ inquiries related to medical services. This will ensure we provide timely responses related to COVID-19.
- Cover the Full Cost of Medically Necessary Diagnostic Tests that are Consistent with CDC Guidance Related to COVID-19. Blue Cross will cover, with no cost share to the member, the appropriate medically necessary diagnostic testing for COVID-19, where it is not covered as part of the U.S. Public Health Service response, and ensure patient testing and any subsequent needed care are done in close coordination with federal, state and public health authorities.
- Increase Access to Prescription Medications by waiving early medication refill limits on 30-day prescription maintenance medications (consistent with member’s benefit plan) and/or encouraging members to use 90-day mail order benefit. Blue Cross will also ensure formulary flexibility if there are shortages or access issues.
- Encourage telehealth use for remote care with $0 cost sharing. Effective March 16 and until further notice, Blue Cross customers and dependents covered on their plans can use BlueCare, our service for 24/7 online visits with U.S. trained, board-certified doctors, at no charge. BlueCare works on any device that has internet and a camera, like a smartphone, laptop, tablet or computer and is available in all 50 states. BlueCare is an effective way to get care for routine, non-emergency health needs like fever, colds, allergies, rashes, pink eye, bladder infections and vomiting/diarrhea, and is a good option for people who feel too ill to leave the house or want to consult with a healthcare provider before going somewhere for treatment. BlueCare providers can give prescriptions or refills for most drugs. Using BlueCare for these types of health needs can help minimize foot traffic in providers’ offices, clinics and hospitals, and will allow you to get care while remaining at home, limiting the spread of illnesses.
To create an account, members can go to
www.BlueCareLA.com or get the “BlueCare” (one word) app for Android and Apple devices. Once members have created an account, they can simply log in when they need to have a telehealth visit.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to increased demand, BlueCare is experiencing longer-than-usual wait times. The doctors will see you as soon as possible. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, contact your regular healthcare provider, who can work with you to determine if you need to be seen for testing. If you don’t have a regular healthcare provider, please call 211 to reach the Louisiana statewide information network.
Got this on BCBS just now. Good luck!!!!!