Testing and Treatment | Prescription Coverage | Mental Health Services | Telehealth
Your health is always our priority. Your Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) health plan gives you access to the care you need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
With a BCBSTX health plan, you have access to care for COVID-19 related health issues. Use the doctors, labs and facilities in your BCBSTX health plan’s provider network for:
Most changes will end with the end of the public health emergency. Some may end sooner, depending on your plan. View effective coverage dates.
If you think you may have the virus or have been exposed to someone who has it:
Some things to know about testing:
A note about antibody tests: Serology tests detect the presence of antibodies produced after exposure to the virus. While the tests are available, it remains uncertain whether antibodies will protect you against reinfection with COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recommend serology tests to determine when it is safe for a person to return to work or school.
Your doctor will help guide your care. If you test positive for COVID-19, follow up with your doctor’s office so they can plan next steps. If you start to feel worse, let your doctor know. Telehealth is the most convenient and safest way to get medical care without leaving home.
Your health plan also covers emergency and inpatient hospital care for COVID-19. Seek emergency medical care immediately if you have:
For those times when you can’t get in to see your doctor and it’s not an emergency, you can visit an in-network urgent care center. They offer primary care services and the wait time can be much shorter than an ER visit. And they can let you know if you need emergency care.
BCBSTX is waiving your share of the costs for COVID-19 testing and testing-related visits until the end of the Health and Human Services COVID-19 public health emergency order.
This means:
Many self-funded groups are also waiving cost-sharing for COVID-19 treatment. Their dates for cost-sharing waivers may differ.
If you are unsure what your plan covers, contact your company’s benefits administrator or call BCBSTX Customer Service at the number listed on your member ID card.
In some instances, a provider that doesn’t contract with BCBSTX may not accept the amount we pay as payment in full. In that instance, they may send you a bill for the remaining balance. We encourage you to use providers who are in your health plan’s network.
Remember to use your BCBSTX member ID card for your doctor’s visit and testing to help with the reimbursement process.
With BCBSTX pharmacy benefits2, you can temporarily get an early refill on many of your current prescriptions because of COVID-19. You may also be able to get up to a 90-day fill (based on plan benefits) of covered non-specialty medications at select drugstores or by mail order.
If you're a member of these Medicare or Medicaid plans, you can get 90-day fills through mail order:
Coping with the stress and anxiety of COVID-19 can be overwhelming. Remember to take care of your mental health. Your health plan covers mental health services, including counseling.
Need to see a doctor? Depending on your health plan, you may be able to see a provider in your health plan’s network virtually.
Our telehealth benefits give members access to care while reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19. And you won’t pay copays, deductibles, or coinsurance on covered services when you use a provider in your health plan’s network.
Call your doctor’s office to learn more about their telehealth offerings.
If you need help finding an in-network provider, log in to Blue Access for MembersSM to use our Provider Finder®. Or, you can call us at the Customer Service number listed on your member ID card for help.
Our Bilingual 24/7 Nurseline4 is also here to discuss any health concerns and can guide you if you think you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms. Nurses are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 800-581-0368.
Telehealth benefits may differ based on your plan. Call the Customer Service number on your member ID card if you have questions about your coverage.
1To download the app, text BCBSTXAPP to 33633 or search for BCBSTX in the Apple App Store or Google Play. Message and data rates may apply.
2Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) contracts with Prime Therapeutics® to provide pharmacy benefit management and related other services. BCBSTX, as well as several independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans, has an ownership interest in Prime Therapeutics. MyPrime.com is an online resource offered by Prime Therapeutics.
3myStrength is an independent website for Behavioral Health sponsored by Livongo. You acknowledge that you are voluntarily accessing and using the resources found on the site and consent that Livongo may provide Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas with an aggregate number of individuals who accessed the website link.
4The 24/7 Bilingual Nurseline may not be available with all plans. Check your benefits booklet for details.