COVID-19 resources
What the end of the Public Health Emergency means for your coverage
The Public Health Emergency (PHE) ends on May 11
In January 2023, the federal department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced an end date for the national Public Health Emergency in response to COVID-19. On May 11, 2023, most COVID-19 mandates implemented under the PHE are set to expire.
As a result, effective May 12, standard plan benefits will apply to COVID-19 related care, including tests, vaccines and treatment. This may result in changes to your costs associated with COVID-19 care.
These changes apply to Individual and Family, Medicare and fully insured employer-provided plans.*
Please call the customer service number on the back of your member ID card if you have questions about your specific coverage.
CDC resources
See the latest COVID-19 news and recommendations
- Cases & data
- Vaccines & boosters
- Testing and care tips
Over-the-counter (OTC) at-home tests
Under the PHE, all members were eligible to receive a certain number of OTC at-home tests per month at no cost. Effective May 12, 2023, members will be fully responsible for paying retail prices of test kits. These costs may be reimbursable through a medical spending account. Please contact your medical spending account administrator for more information.
For Medicare members, your OTC allowance will still apply.
Provider ordered or administered diagnostic tests
COVID-19 diagnostic tests ordered by a doctor or other healthcare provider will be administered through standard plan benefits – which means members may be responsible for a portion of costs in the form of copayments, coinsurance or deductible amounts.
This change applies to both laboratory administered antigen tests (diagnostic testing for virus) and serology tests (diagnostic testing for antibodies) when received at an in-network provider.
Medical care
Cost sharing for medical appointments, testing and treatment related to COVID-19 (office visits, urgent care, telehealth and emergency room) will be administered through standard plan benefits – which means members may be responsible for a portion of costs in the form of copayments, coinsurance or deductible amounts.
For Medicare members, your out-of-pocket costs for certain types of COVID-19 treatment may change, depending on the specific treatment and its availability.
Vaccines and boosters
COVID-19 vaccines and vaccine booster shots will be covered as a preventive benefit, with Blue Cross continuing to cover 100% of the cost when received at an in-network provider.
*There are different types of employer-provided plans:
For fully insured employer plans, Blue Cross sets the plan benefits. Small businesses (2-50 employees) are generally fully insured, as are some large businesses (more than 50 employees).
Many large businesses and corporations offer self-insured health plans. In these cases, the employer sets their own benefits, which are then administered by Blue Cross.
Self-insured employers may choose to implement the same COVID-19 related changes as fully insured groups covered by Blue Cross, but it is not a requirement.
If your employer offers Medicare coverage or you can get coverage under the Federal Employee Program® (FEP), please see your employer to learn about your coverage options.
Blue Cross offers Cost, PPO, and PDP plans with Medicare contracts. Enrollment in these Blue Cross plans depends on contract renewal.