Re: Michigan Laborers’ Health Care Fund (Fund)
COVID -19 (Coronavirus) Temporary Benefit Changes
Dear Participants:
The Fund has temporarily enhanced your health care benefits to provide the following coverage as it relates to COVID-19:
1. COVID-19 Test
The Fund will cover the cost of medically necessary COVID-19 tests that are prescribed for you and your family by your doctor, following Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines. This means you’ll incur no cost sharing for COVID-19 testing that follows CDC guidelines.
2. Prior Authorizations
Prior authorization will be waived for diagnostic tests and for covered services related to the COVID-19 that are medically necessary — provided your doctor follows the CDC guideline when prescribing the test.
3. Impact on Prescription Drugs
Access to prescription drugs — even drugs not related to COVID-19 — will be temporarily expanded to ensure you and your family do not experience shortages or difficulties filling your prescriptions. The Fund implements this expanded access by:
- Waiving early medication refill limits on 30-day prescription maintenance medications, except for opioid drug limits; and
- Absorbing the cost of additional charges that stem from obtaining a Non-Preferred medication for COVID-19 treatment. Also, if there are drug shortages or access issues due to COVID-19, the Fund will practice formulary flexibility.
4. Online or Remote Care Options
The Fund, through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM), offers the following remote access care options provided at no cost to you:
BCBSM Online Visits: Using your smartphone, laptop, or tablet, you may access BCBSM Online Visits to quickly connect to a Board-certified doctor over a secure, web-based video chat.
So, you don’t need to make an appointment and you can talk to a doctor in 10 minutes or less. And, the doctor can send prescriptions to your pharmacy, if necessary. Go to www.bcbsmonlinevisits.com for more information.
24-Hour Nurse Line: A registered nurse is available by phone at 1-800-775-BLUE (2583) and can answer your questions regarding symptoms and direct you on the next steps in your care.
For more information, please visit the BCBSM Health News blog that is updated daily with information about the Coronavirus and other health topics at www.mibluesperspectives.com.
If you have any questions, please contact the Fund Office at 1-877-645-2267.
Sincerely,
The Board of Trustees
Michigan Laborers’ Health Care Fund