BCBSND prioritizes resources for members to maintain overall well-being

FARGO, N.D. – In an effort to support North Dakotans during the COVID-19 pandemic, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND) has extended its assistance by waiving out-of-pocket costs for members needing inpatient or outpatient treatment for COVID-19 through December 31, 2020.

BCBSND is also extending coverage through the end of 2020 by:

• Waiving out-of-pocket costs for the treatment of COVID-19, including hospital stays and outpatient treatment. This applies to fully insured members and self-funded plans that have opted in
• Waiving out-of-pocket costs for medically necessary laboratory COVID-19 testing. Cost-shares will be waived for an in-network provider office visit, urgent care center visit, or emergency room visit when testing for COVID-19. This applies to fully insured members and self-funded plans.
• Allowing pharmacies to refill prescriptions earlier than typically allowed, and most plans allow members to fill maintenance medications for up to a 90-day supply through local or mail-order pharmacies
• Offering several online benefits to members including access to:
  • Learn to Live
  • Enrich
  • Wellbeats
  • Silver Sneakers
• Waiving cost-shares on telehealth visits for all services (not just COVID-19 related visits) when members seek care from in-network providers or our telehealth provider, Amwell. This applies to fully insured members and self-funded plans that have opted in.

To date, BCBSND members have incurred $77,970,000 in claims related to COVID-19. By providing these benefits, BCBSND has paid approximately $6,000,000 on behalf of its members. The BCBSND Caring Foundation has also donated $150,000 of COVID-19 related emergency funds to local nonprofit organizations across the state.

“Our goal is to be there for North Dakotans when they need us most,” said Dan Conrad, BCBSND President and CEO. “By offering these extended benefits through the end of the year, we hope we can lessen the burden the COVID-19 pandemic has placed on our members and offer resources for challenges many of us are facing, including financial strain, mental health stress and limitations on maintaining our physical health.”

Exclusions apply for self-funded plans. Please visit www.BCBSND.com/COVID19 for detailed coverage information and programming details.

About Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota

BCBSND (www.BCBSND.com) was founded in 1940 with the mission to provide members with affordable access to health care across the state. As a member-owned, not-for-profit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), BCBSND is committed to transforming care and health across the state to improve outcomes, lower cost trends and make it easier to shop, buy and use health care coverage. Members have access to unmatched local service and to a comprehensive network of health care providers across the state, the nation and in 200 countries.