In 20 de abril20, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) voluntarily decided to waive cost sharing, or out-of-pocket costs, for COVID-19 treatment for only a few months. As the pandemic continued, we extended this waiver several times with a plan for it to expire at the end of 2020. However, when cases began to rise in November, BCBSRI made the decision to extend the cost-sharing waiver to 31 de março, 2021. More recently, a year into the pandemic, with vaccines becoming more widely available, we felt it was appropriate to let the cost sharing waiver expire as had been planned.

BCBSRI continues to cover COVID-19 treatment in accordance with plan design for all members. And, our coverage for COVID-19 treatment is consistent with our coverage for other treatment a member may need for an illness, injury or chronic condition.

In addition, our coverage for COVID treatment is consistent with other health insurers in Rhode Island and nationally. Many insurers never waived cost-sharing beyond what was required by federal law or state Executive Orders.

BCBSRI continues to waive cost-sharing for COVID-19 testing and the office visit, urgent care or emergency department visit that results in testing in accordance with the FFCRA and CARES Act. COVID-19 vaccines are also covered with no member cost share or out-of-pocket costs.