Families First Coronavirus Response Act Passes
Date: 03/20/2020
On March 18, 2020, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“the Act”) was signed into law.
Under the Act, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) will provide coverage and waive cost-sharing (including deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance) for COVID-19 testing or for a doctor visit or call to determine if testing is necessary.
Specifically, there will be no member cost-share for COVID-19 testing or screenings to determine if a testing is needed through virtual care visits, outpatient office visits, urgent care visits and ER visits.
The Act applies to fully-insured and self-funded plans.
Blue Cross NC is also waiving prior authorization for any necessary care if a patient is diagnosed with COVID-19.1
Additional policy and benefit changes related to COVID-19 that Blue Cross NC has announced include paying for telehealth visits at parity with in-office visits, expanding telehealth coverage to include phone consultations, and allowing early refills on prescriptions. For more information, please visit our COVID-19 provider blog.
1 Self-funded employers have the option to apply waiving of prior authorization