CORONAVIRUS RESOURCE CENTER
Your Place for COVID-19 Answers
and Assistance
Updated Booster Shots (10/26/22): The FDA has authorized, and the CDC recommends, the updated/Bivalent COVID-19 booster shot for children 5 and older. To learn more, visit CDC.gov.
COVID-19 At-Home Tests Reimbursement (1/1/2023): Effective January 1, 2023, there’s a new process to order and get reimbursed for COVID-19 At-Home Tests. For more information on the policy and coverage details, visit our at-home COVID-19 test coverage page.
COVID-19 Quick Access
vaccines & Boosters: what you need to know
Vaccines made by Pfizer/BioNTech, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and Novavax are available in the US.
Some vaccines are not available or not recommended for specific groups. See CDC for details.
Blue Cross members are covered for the COVID-19 vaccination. We’ll cover any costs related to administration of vaccines, with no member cost share. Medicare Advantage and Medex®' members are covered with no cost share when vaccines are administered by any provider who accepts Medicare.
All U.S. residents 5 and older are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccination.
Those who live, work, or study in Massachusetts can register for a COVID-19 vaccine appointment at retail pharmacies, health care providers, or other community locations by visiting vaxfinder.mass.gov. Walk up appointments are also available at many locations.
People ages 5-17 can only get the Pfizer vaccine.
For our out-of-state members, please visit your state's health department website for local distribution plans.
For more information, see our frequently asked questions.
Yes, the vaccines are safe. The U.S. vaccine safety system works to make sure all vaccines are as safe and effective as possible. Learn more about how government health experts are ensuring COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective by visiting the Centers for Disease Control. Visit the CDC
Yes, the COVID-19 Vaccine is recommended for those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future. Pregnant and recently pregnant people are at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 when compared with non-pregnant people.
If you have questions, talk to your doctor and visit the CDC website for more information.
All COVID-19 vaccines continue to be highly effective in reducing risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death.
The CDC recommends a booster shot for individuals 12 and older who have been fully vaccinated. With the Pfizer vaccine, a booster shot should be administered five months or more after the original vaccine series. With the Moderna vaccine, a booster shot should be administered six months or more after the original vaccine series. Adolescents 12-17 years old are only eligible for the Pfizer booster.
For adults who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, CDC recommends a booster shot be administered two months after the original vaccination.
We'll cover booster shots with no out-of-pocket cost to eligible members. Find out if you're eligible.
Those who are eligible can register to receive a COVID-19 booster shot at retail pharmacies, health care providers, or other community locations by visiting vaxfinder.mass.gov or calling 211.
CDC recommends that people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days after a second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
The CDC recommends that anyone with any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 get tested, regardless of vaccination status or prior infection. If you get tested because you have symptoms or were potentially exposed to the virus, you should stay away from others pending test results and follow the advice of your healthcare provider or a public health professional. Visit Mass.gov for more information.
Yes, it is. The Pfizer vaccine has undergone rigorous clinical testing on adults and children, along with comprehensive review by the Food & Drug Administration and an independent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory panel. The vaccine’s safety was studied in more than 3,000 children ages 5–11, who received the vaccine and experienced no serious side effects (the most common was a sore arm). Get more facts from Mass.gov.
All U.S. residents age 5 and older are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.
You can make an appointment for children ages 5-11 at retail pharmacies, health care providers, or other community locations by visiting vaxfinder.mass.gov. Walk-up appointments are also available at many locations.
For our out-of-state members, please visit your state's health department website for local distribution plans.
Yes, it’s safe to get both vaccines at the same time. Read more from the CDC.
Two doses, three weeks apart.
Children ages 5–11 receive an age-appropriate dose that is one-third of the adult dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Smaller needles, designed specifically for children, are also used for children ages 5 –11.
Your guide to getting tested
For more information on the new policy and coverage details, visit our at-home Covid-19 test coverage page.
Additionally, we will continue to cover FDA-authorized COVID-19 diagnostic tests, such as PCR tests, with no cost share to members when ordered or administered by a health care provider following an individualized clinical assessment. This applies to our commercial and Medicare members.
First, talk to your doctor or health care provider. They can guide you to the best place to go. If you want to find a testing site on your own, your state’s health department website should provide details.
COVID-19 Helpline
For any questions or concerns related to COVID-19, call our dedicated member COVID-19 Helpline.
We’ve enhanced your benefits during the pandemic
Here’s how to access your medical, mental health, and dental care with as few barriers as possible.
We're covering the full cost of FDA-approved COVID-19 diagnostic testing with no cost sharing, as long as the test is ordered by a health care provider and meets CDC guidelines.
Medicare members, please refer to Medicare coverage details below.
We’re removing member cost share (copayments, co-insurance, and deductibles) for COVID-19-related inpatient care at both in- and out-of-network acute care facilities for our fully insured members.
Until further notice, simply arrange for your care as always, and your claims will be processed to reflect this coverage.
To access vital information and updates sign in to MyBlue or create an account.
Note: Self-insured accounts make their own plan cost-share decisions and may have chosen not to waive this inpatient cost share. If you have any questions about your plan, call Member Service at the number on your ID card.
We’ve enhanced routine care benefits so members can now get fully covered, routine dental checkups twice a year, without having to wait six months between them.
Get the Toothpic®' Teledentistry App
Get oral care recommendations from a licensed dentist. For a limited time, we’re offering Dental Blue members access to the Toothpic teledentistry app, at no cost. Download the app, submit a picture of your teeth and gums, then get a comprehensive report in as little as six hours, including oral care recommendations, from a licensed dentist. Learn more.
Here’s how we’re enhancing Medicare benefits.
- Testing for COVID-19 is covered
Medicare Part B (medical insurance) covers testing for COVID-19, with no cost share when your doctor or other health care provider orders it, if you were tested on or after Feb. 4, 2020. - COVID-19 out-of-pocket costs are waived
For members in our Medicare Advantage HMO Blue and PPO Blue, Managed Blue for Seniors, and Medex plans, we’ve waived the cost share related to medically necessary coronavirus testing, counseling, vaccinations, and treatment at doctor’s offices, ERs, and urgent care centers, in accordance with CDC and Massachusetts DPH guidelines.
Simply arrange for your care as usual, and your claims will be processed to reflect this coverage.
We’re removing copayments, co-insurance, or deductibles for all medically necessary COVID-19-related care received at:
- doctor’s offices
- urgent care centers
- emergency departments
Any medically necessary treatment for COVID-19 is covered under a member's health plan within the United States or internationally.
We’re also removing member cost share (copayments, co-insurance, and deductibles) for COVID-19-related inpatient care at both in- and out-of-network acute care facilities for our fully insured members.
Simply arrange for your care as always, and your claims will be processed to reflect these waived costs.
Note: Self-insured accounts design/customize their plans and benefits and may require inpatient cost share. If you have any questions about your plan, call Member Service at the number on your ID card.
We're waiving all member cost share (copayments, co-insurance, or deductibles) for members who receive care via, phone, video, or telehealth in place of an office visit, for COVID-19 services, when received from an in-network provider.
All members can talk to a licensed doctor or provider from the comfort and safety of home, limiting the potential exposure to, and spread of, the virus. Call your provider to request remote visits by phone or video. Members with our telehealth benefit are encouraged to use our Well Connection platform.
For Medicare HMO Blue and Medicare PPO Blue members:
For Medicare HMO Blue and Medicare PPO Blue members: Until further notice, telehealth cost share will be waived for primary care visits, urgently needed visits, health risk assessments and outpatient mental health visits. In addition, cost share will be waived for telehealth visits by a specialist if the visit is related to COVID-19.
*Benefits may vary by plan
We’ve removed any administrative barriers, such as prior authorizations and referrals, for medically appropriate care for COVID-19. We still require providers to notify us when a member is admitted to the hospital.
Simply make arrangements for care as usual, now with faster access.
The CARES Act passed by Congress includes a provision that allows members to use financial account funds to pay for over-the-counter (OTC) medications, without a prescription, as well as menstrual care products.
Claims must be for purchases made on or after January 1, 2020.
Merchants and financial account administrators are working to allow for payment for these products at the point-of-sale.
In the meantime, members can manually submit claims to their financial account administrator for reimbursement.
Important note: Plans vary by employer, and these changes don't necessarily change the benefits available under an employer's plan. Members should review plan documents carefully or consult their employers for information about their companies’ benefits.
If you're eligible, coverage for yourself and your dependents can be purchased directly from Blue Cross or any other health insurer, or through the Massachusetts Health Connector.
If you're interested in a Blue Cross plan, or to find out if you're eligible, please visit getbluema.com or call 1-800-422-3545.
If you have coverage through Dental Blue®, and until further notice, you can receive care from your dentist via telephone or video if your dentist offers virtual services. Services provided by non-participating dentists could be subject to balance billing.
Our members are covered for emergency medical care while traveling internationally. If someone were to be hospitalized while traveling, costs would be covered according to the terms of your plan.
You can purchase additional health insurance designed for travelers from any number of companies. Blue Cross offers health insurance for travelers that provides extended coverage, called GeoBlue®. You can learn more at geobluetravelinsurance.com/bcbsma, or by calling 1-855-481-6647.
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MORE RESOURCES AND ANSWERS
Here are additional resources everyone can use.
COVID-19 Symptom Checker
This easy guide will help you make decisions and seek medical care, if necessary.
Centers for Disease Control
Get the latest updates on the virus and what you can do to minimize exposure and spread.
MA Department of Public Health
See how Massachusetts is coordinating response, and how we can all do our part.
Need-to-know info
Your 411 on everything COVID-19, from trending topics to timely tips.