March 20, 2023
Public Health Emergency To End May 11, 2023
From Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
| During the COVID-19 federal Public Health Emergency (PHE), Blue Cross® Blue Shield® of Arizona (BCBSAZ) aligned with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) expanded health benefit coverage guidelines, such as covering COVID-19 testing and testing-related services at no out-of-pocket cost.
As the incidence of COVID-19 cases has diminished, CMS announced May 11, 2023, end to the PHE. Effective May 11, 2023, BCBSAZ benefits will return to standard benefit provisions. What this means for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Customers: |
| •COVID-19 testing and testing-related services (including telehealth visits for these services) will return to the standard benefit. Depending on your client’s benefit plan, they may have cost-share responsibilities.
•Over-the-counter COVID-19 test costs will no longer be reimbursed. • Standard requirements for pre-service review of COVID-19 testing, treatment, and admissions to post-acute care facilities will be reinstated. •Approved COVID-19 vaccines will be covered as preventive services with no out-of-pocket costs when obtained in-network. Out-of-network (OON) vaccines will incur standard OON charges. |
| If you have questions regarding your plan’s standard benefits, please consult your benefit booklet on your online member portal at azblue.com/MyBlue. |
