CORONAVIRUS RESOURCE CENTER
UNWAVERING SUPPORT IN UNPRECEDENTED TIMES
Today more than ever, we’re throwing our full support behind you. We're opening access to virtual care, waiving costs on COVID-19 related treatment, and more. And we'll keep on helping for the duration of the Massachusetts public health emergency. It’s what you deserve, and it’s what we’re here for.
Update your contact information so we can provide vital updates as the situation changes.
For immediate COVID-19 help
For concerns about coronavirus
We are staffing a dedicated member Help Line for all your COVID-19 related questions.
Call a nurse at any time via our 24/7 Nurse Line
When you need advice on where to go for care, or have questions about symptoms, call day or night for answers to common questions, at no additional cost to you.
Get care virtually by phone or video
We’ve expanded access to telephone or video doctor visits for the duration of the Massachusetts public health emergency. Call your doctor to see if they offer remote doctor visits. If they do, the visit is covered, and so are you!
If your coverage already includes our telehealth benefit, please use our Well Connection platform.
Find a doctor for your immediate needs
If you’re feeling ill and need to find a health care provider, our Find a Doctor tool can help. We’ve also created a resource guide to help you access providers during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Need someone to talk to?
If your provider offers phone or video therapy visits, they're now covered during the duration of the Massachusetts public health emergency.
Need help finding a licensed psychotherapist? Try our Find a Doctor tool.
All members may now call and talk to a counselor about issues like stress, anxiety, or depression at no cost through our New Directions platform.
NOW AT NO COST
SEE A DOCTOR FROM THE SAFETY OF HOME
We’ve waived the copayments, co-insurance, and deductibles for remote doctor visits by video or phone.
Call your provider to see if they offer remote doctor visits by phone or video. Your claims will be processed to reflect these waived costs.
This includes all medically necessary medical and behavioral health covered services with in-network providers, if such telehealth services are offered,* for the duration of the Massachusetts public health emergency.
Keeping healthy means keeping appointments. Managing chronic conditions and getting emergency care is vital and safe. And many routine visits can be done remotely. Use this chart for an overview of ways to seek care.
WE’VE LIFTED PRESCRIPTION REFILL LIMITS
EXTRA REFILLS BRING A LITTLE RELIEF
Now members can get one additional early refill of their existing prescription. You can rest easier, knowing you have your medications on hand. Simply ask for your additional fill when placing your next order.
And for one less trip from home, consider mail order pharmacy options. Visit the Express Scripts®' Pharmacy or call 1-800-892-5119.
NO COST FOR VIRTUAL THERAPY
FEELING ANXIETY? FEEL SUPPORTED, TOO
We’ve waived member co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles for all behavioral health covered services by video or phone with in-network providers,* for the duration of the Massachusetts health emergency.
If you have a therapist, it’s covered: Talk to your provider about their phone or video options. These visits will be reimbursed at the same rate as face-to-face care, for participating providers.
Find a licensed psychotherapist: Use our search tool and find licensed counselors, therapists, psychiatrists, and more. Try the tool
Need someone to talk to? All members can now call and talk to a counselor about issues like stress, anxiety, or depression, at no cost. Get started
Need substance use support? Team Blue can help you find remote treatment. Learn more or call 1-800-392-0098.
Join our live online behavioral health seminar: Get expert advice on how to maintain behavioral health during the crisis, and access the expanded resources available to you. Reserve now
Get more resources: We’ve collected a master list of helpful links here.
We’ve boosted your coverage in response to coronavirus
Whether for COVID-19 or otherwise, we’re removing barriers to the medical, behavioral and dental care you need—by opening up telehealth to all members and waiving many costs.* For the duration of the Massachusetts public health emergency, and when it's over, you always have our full support.
How we’re helping
For the duration of the Massachusetts health emergency, we’ve waived member cost share (copayments, co-insurance and deductibles) for all medically necessary medical and behavioral health covered services, via phone or video (telehealth) with in-network providers, if such services are offered.
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.
In accordance with state guidance, these phone/telehealth visits will be reimbursed at the same rate as face-to-face care for participating providers, for both medical and behavioral health care, as long as they meet clinical standards.
What should I do to activate this benefit?
Until further notice, call your provider for remote video doctor visits by phone or video, and your claims will be processed to reflect these waived costs. Members with our telehealth benefit are encouraged to use our Well Connection platform.
How we’re helping
For the duration of the Massachusetts health emergency, we’re improving medication access by allowing early prescription refills and lifting limits on refills of prescription medication. This means members can get one additional fill of their existing prescription. We're also working to ensure formulary flexibility if there are shortages or access issues.
What should I do to activate this benefit?
Nothing. The permissions are already in affect. Simply ask for your additional fill when placing your order.
You should also consider mail order delivery option for your maintenance prescriptions. It’ll be one less trip that you need to take. Learn more
How we’re helping
For the duration of the Massachusetts health emergency, we’ll cover virtual consultations, by phone or video, between Dental Blue® members and their participating dental providers with no member cost share (copayment, co-insurance, deductible, up to the member's existing annual dollar maximum). These additional virtual dental exams are available to all members who already have coverage for this service in a dental office setting.
We’ve also enhanced your routine care benefits so members can now get fully covered, routine dental checkups twice a year, without having to wait 6 months in between.
What should I do to activate this benefit?
Nothing. These additional virtual dental exams are available to all members who already have coverage for this service in a dental office setting.
How we’re helping
For the duration of the Massachusetts health emergency, we’re removing copayments, co-insurance, or deductibles for all medically necessary COVID-19 related care, care received at:
- doctor’s offices
- urgent care centers
- emergency departments
This is in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention and Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) guidelines. Any medically necessary treatment for COVID-19 is covered under a member's health plan within the United States or internationally.
What should I do to activate this benefit?
Nothing. Until further notice, simply arrange for your care as always, and your claims will be processed to reflect these waived costs.
Be sure to sign in to MyBlue or create an account to access vital information and updates.
Note: Self Insured accounts make their own plan cost-share decisions and may have chosen not to waive this inpatient cost share. Call Member Service at the number on your ID card with any questions about your plan.
How we’re helping
For the duration of the Massachusetts health emergency, 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.
What should I do to activate this benefit?
Nothing. Until further notice, simply arrange for your care as always, and your claims will be processed to reflect these waived costs.
Be sure to sign in to MyBlue or create an account to access vital information and updates.
Note: Self Insured accounts make their own plan cost-share decisions and may have chosen not to waive this inpatient cost share. Call Member Service at the number on your member ID card with any questions about your plan.
How we’re helping
We’re covering the full cost of diagnostic tests for COVID-19 for all who meet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for testing.
How we’re helping
For the duration of the Massachusetts health emergency, 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. Clinicians will need to wait until after April 1, 2020 to submit a claim to Medicare for this test.
COVID-19 out-of-pocket costs are waived
For members in our Medicare Advantage, 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 Department of Public Health guidelines.
All Telehealth costs are waived for our Medicare members
For the duration of the Massachusetts public health emergency, we have waived cost share for all telehealth (both medical and behavioral) services, not just those related to COVID-19, including services delivered by phone as well as video.
What should I do to activate these benefits?
Nothing. Until further notice, simply arrange for your care as usual, and your claims will be processed to reflect these waived costs.
How we’re helping
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.
What should I do to activate this benefit?
Simply make arrangements for care as usual, now with faster access to the care you need.
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.
- OTC medications include pain relievers, cough syrup, allergy medication, etc.
- Menstrual care products include tampons, pads, cups, sponges, or similar products
- Claims must be for purchases on or after January 1, 2020
- Merchants and financial account administrators are working hard to get these provisions in place
- In the meantime, members can manually submit claims to your financial account administrator for reimbursement
*Important note: Plans vary by employer, and these changes do not 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.
VIRTUAL DENTAL CARE
SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT
Our Dental Blue® members can now access no-cost virtual consultations with their participating providers*.
For safe, in-home dental advice, just talk to your participating provider about their phone or video options.
For the duration of the Massachusetts health emergency, these visits will be reimbursed at the same rate as face-to-face care, for participating providers — and come with no copayments and no deductible cost, up to your existing annual dollar premium.
* These additional virtual dental exams are available to all members who already have coverage for this service in a dental office setting.
What people are asking
Information, clarity and answers. They’re all worth spreading.
If you're not feeling well, please contact your doctor and discuss your symptoms. You may be asked about your travel history and about those with whom you have been in close contact.
According to medical experts, symptoms of COVID-19 may include fever, dry cough and shortness of breath. These symptoms are similar to the flu or other respiratory diseases.
Use this symptom checker tool to help you make decisions and seek medical care, if necessary.
Please call your doctor and be prepared to share with them where you have traveled and with whom you have been in close contact.
You should follow the guidance of your doctor, the governor, and federal and state health experts: avoid large gatherings, work from home if your business allows it, and practice social distancing – keeping six feet away from people you don’t know. Avoid travel. This will help slow the spread of the disease.
Click here for the latest information from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Effective March 24, 2020 at noon, Governor Baker ordered that businesses and organizations that don't provide essential COVID-19 related services should close their physical locations, and prohibited gatherings of more than 10 people, to further prevent the spread of the virus.
Our doctors and most clinicians recommend that everyone take basic precautions to avoid infection with any virus, including:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing
- Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes
- Disinfect commonly touched services
Please talk to your doctor. You doctor will determine if you should be tested in accordance with Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidelines.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organization all provide regular updates on their websites:
In addition to our Coronavirus Resource Center, we’re also providing information on our health news site, Coverage.bluecrossma.com
Effective on March 16, and for the duration of the Massachusetts state of emergency, you may receive all medically necessary covered services from an in-network provider via telehealth or by telephone.
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 and non-COVID-19 related services received from an in-network provider.
You're temporarily eligible to receive services via the phone or other chat application if available from your provider.
Well Connection Telehealth Visits
Many members may also have an existing telehealth benefit included as part of the Blue Cross health plan. For members with this telehealth benefit, we're waiving cost sharing for telehealth visits conducted through Well Connection. To find out if you're covered, call Member Service at 1-800-262-BLUE (2583), or sign in to MyBlue and click Review My Benefits. Be sure to include your insurance information when registering for Well Connection.
For Federal Employee Program (FEP) members:
Effective March 10, 2020, we’ve removed the member cost share for all telehealth services (COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 related) received through the Teladoc network. Members can register for Teladoc by visiting fepblue.org/coronavirus. For other providers offering telehealth services not on Teladoc, the applicable office visit cost share will apply (unless COVID-19 related).
Our 24/7 Nurse Line also is available at no cost to FEP members, and offers a safe and convenient clinical resource for minor ailments or questions. Call the 24/7 Nurse Line at 1-888-258-3432 or learn more.”
Effective March 10, 2020, we’ve removed the member cost share for all telehealth services (COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 related) received through the Teladoc network. Members can register for Teladoc by visiting fepblue.org/coronavirus. For other providers offering telehealth services not on Teladoc, the applicable office visit cost share will apply (unless COVID-19 related).
Our 24/7 Nurse Line also is available at no cost to all members and offers a safe and convenient clinical resource for minor ailments or questions. The number for the Nurse Line is 1-888-247-2583.
For members in our Medicare Advantage, Managed Blue for Seniors, and Medex®' plans, Blue Cross has 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 DPH guidelines.
Blue Cross also has waived cost share for all telehealth (both medical and behavioral) services, not just those related to COVID-19, including services delivered by phone as well as video. This is effective as of March 16, 2020, and will last for the duration of the state of emergency
Due to the spread of COVID-19, Massachusetts is allowing individuals who are currently uninsured to enroll in coverage for themselves and dependents between now and May 25, 2020.
If you already have coverage, you cannot change plans.
If your employer offered you health care coverage and you turned it down, you may enroll in a plan during this special enrollment period.
For those who are 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 please visit www.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. There will be no member cost share up to the member's existing annual dollar maximum. 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 https://www.geobluetravelinsurance.com/bcbsma or by calling 1-855-481-6647.
Yes, Blue Cross Blue Shield has temporarily lifted limits on early refills of prescription medications allowing members to obtain one additional fill of their existing prescription.
Please note: the prescribing physician or pharmacy filling the prescription may decide to continue to impose limits at their discretion.
Certain medications, such as opioids and medications with quality care dosing limits, are excluded.
Members can get a two-month supply of a medication for two copayments at the retail pharmacy of their choice, as benefits allow. Additionally, members can use the Express Scripts®' (ESI) mail order to get three-month supplies of medications.
If a member is enrolled in Smart90®', they are eligible for 90-day supplies at retail for certain maintenance medications.
We won't allow for greater than a 90-day supply to avoid stockpiling or potential shortages.
Members being told Blue Cross isn't allowing early refills can call Member Service at the number on their member ID card while at the pharmacy for help.
We're working with our pharmacy network to ensure they understand this change.
Additionally, the pharmacist can call the Express Scripts Pharmacy Help Desk at 1-800-922-1557.
Please remember: pharmacies and the provider who wrote the prescription can maintain these limits at their discretion.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an emergency authorization to use chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine as possible treatments for COVID-19 and has indicated that these drugs should only be used on a short-term, inpatient basis with patients who are seriously ill, as these medications also have the potential for serious and well-known adverse side effects.
These medications are commonly used to treat autoimmune disease like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, as well as malaria.
Members with the Blue Cross pharmacy benefit with a current prescription for chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine are encouraged to refill their prescription. We're allowing for one additional refill of these and other medications.
Some members may be eligible for our mail order benefit and could get up to a 90-day supply of this prescription. Call the Member Service number on the front of your ID card to see if you are eligible.
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 https://www.geobluetravelinsurance.com/bcbsma or by calling 1-855-481-6647.
You should follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control or the U.S. State Department when it comes to personal travel outside of the U.S.
The State Department provides guidance on travel at travel.state.gov and has advised U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel and that U.S. citizens traveling abroad should return to the U.S.
The CDC website provides regular updates and a global risk assessment of the virus.
Government officials haven't issued any guidance about domestic travel.
For the duration of the Massachusetts state of emergency:
We will waive all member cost share for medically necessary COVID-19 testing, counseling, vaccines (when available), and treatment and supportive care at in-person doctor's offices, urgent care centers and emergency departments (excluding inpatient care) in accordance with CDC and DPH guidelines.
Any medically necessary treatment for coronavirus is covered under a member's health plan within the United States or internationally.
Blue Cross also has waived cost share for all covered services (COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 related) delivered by an in-network provider via telehealth or telephone (both medical and behavioral) services, not just those related to COVID-19. This is effective as of March 16, 2020.
We will also cover the cost of vaccination when a COVID-19 vaccine is available.
Members with a COVID-19 diagnosis who receive medically necessary out-of-network care in a doctor’s office, urgent care center, or emergency department will be covered as in-network, cost shares would be waived, and the member would be protected against balance billing. The cost share protections do not extend to in-patient care.
Please understand that your health care provider may perform additional tests and procedures during the same visit in which they test for COVID-19. Copay, co-insurance and deductible may apply for those other tests and services.
Yes, Blue Cross Blue Shield has temporarily lifted limits on early refills of prescription medications allowing members to obtain one additional fill of their existing prescription.
Please note: the prescribing physician or pharmacy filling the prescription may decide to continue to impose limits at their discretion.
Certain medications, such as opioids and medications with quality care dosing limits, are excluded.
Members can get two-month supply of a medication for two copays at the retail pharmacy of their choice, as benefits allow. Additionally, members can use the ESI mail order to get three month supplies of medications.
If a member is enrolled in Smart90, they are eligible for 90-day supplies at retail for certain maintenance medications.
We will not allow for greater than a 90-day supply to avoid stockpiling or potential shortages.
We understand some pharmacies may not understand Blue Cross has lifted restrictions on early refills.
We are working with our pharmacy benefits manager to resolve this issue
If your employees are being told Blue Cross is denying refills the employee can call our member service line for assistance while in the pharmacy.
Please remember, prescribers and pharmacies can maintain these limits at their discretion.
No, we can’t allow accounts to opt out of this program. This is in keeping with state guidance during this state of emergency and is our standard process anytime there is a disaster such as tornado, hurricane, or other emergency.
No, opt outs are not allowed. This is consistent with state and federal guidance (including specific Division of Insurance guidance) aimed at preventing the spread of the coronavirus by allowing remote health care access.
We are in close contact with our pharmacy benefit manager, Express Script and our specialty pharmacy network. There is no supply issue at this time. In collaboration with our pharmacy partners we will continue to monitor the supply of medications and will be flexible in allowing alternative medications should a there be a shortage of medications in our formulary.
Our company is considered an essential business and is prepared to continue to operate during this outbreak in Massachusetts. We have stress-tested disaster readiness and pandemic plans in place. We have convened a cross-functional group of leaders and associates who are evolving our plans to meet the needs of this event. Strategic elements of our plan include:
- The ability operate our business when are buildings are closed. More than 90% of our associates are equipped to work remotely.
- Our Virtual Private Network is redundant and is built to meet the demands placed on it should all associates wind up working remotely
- Our company is financially stable and has a healthy reserve fund, should we need it, to finance our operations.
If you have additional questions about our preparations, please speak to your account executive.
Yes, we expect to cover all claims for medically necessary covered services provided to members we insure.
Accounts that self-insure remain responsible for covered health care costs incurred by their employees.
Our message to our associates is based on the latest information from the CDC, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and state government.
With the rise in cases in Massachusetts and the Governor’s declaration of a state of emergency, the majority of our associates are working from home to ensure their health and wellbeing and to support of public health efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
We urge associate to practice social distancing and basic hygiene that helps prevent the spread of viruses:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water
- Don’t touch your mouth nose or eyes
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or crook of your arm when you sneeze or cough
- Stay home when you are sick
We share the latest information with our associates as appropriate through a variety of channels including email, intranet and our public news site Coverage
You doctor will determine if you should be tested in accordance with Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidelines.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organization are all providing regular updates on their websites:
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus
- https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-public-health
- https://www.who.int/
In addition to our coronavirus resource center we’re also providing information on our health news site, Coverage
Yes, accounts can add telehealth services via our provider, Well Connection off cycle. The cost is 50-cents per employee per month.
It may take several weeks to add this benefit.
Please contact your account executive for details.
No, accounts are still responsible for the paying for telehealth services. The cost is 50-cents per employee per month.
We have created the COVID-19 Information Center for our Clinical Partners. It is continually updated with the latest key information our health care partners need regarding our approach to telehealth and telephonic care, COVID-19 testing and treatment, referrals and authorizations, cost share, prescription medications, dental care, and more. This page is available at Provider Central. No login is required.
There are no prior authorizations and referrals required for members receiving medically necessary care for COVID-19. To help us expedite all COVID-19 cases, we’ve asked providers to please continue to notify us of all inpatient admissions. No supporting clinical information and no medical necessity reviews will be required.
Detailed information on billing and codes, as well as updates to our policies are available on Provider Central. We also posted specific articles for medical and dental providers on March 24.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have issued an interim set of coding guidelines available here.
Blue Cross is financially stable. We maintain a reserve fund that, if needed, will fund our operations.
We are following guidance from the state, which has declared a state of emergency and taken a number of steps to slow the spread of the virus.
Regularly updated information is available on this site and on our health news site, Coverage.
Our message to our associates is based on the latest information from the CDC, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and state government.
With the rise in cases in Massachusetts and the Governor’s declaration of a state of emergency, the majority of our associates work from home to ensure their health and wellbeing and to support of public health efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
We urge associate to practice social distancing and basic hygiene that helps prevent the spread of viruses:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water
- Don’t touch your mouth nose or eyes
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or crook of your arm when you sneeze or cough
- Stay home when you are sick
We share the latest information with our associates as appropriate through a variety of channels including email, intranet and our public news site Coverage.
For the duration of the Massachusetts state of emergency and effective for dates of service retroactive to March 16, 2020, in-network providers may deliver all medically necessary covered services (COVID-19 AND non-COVID-19 related) via any modality. This includes telehealth, telephonic, video chat or in-person to all Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts members including members in our Medicare Advantage, Managed Blue for Seniors and Medex plans.
Starting immediately, Blue Cross will cover visits by telephone (“telephonic visits”). Providers may offer telehealth services as long as they are contracted and credentialed by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. There are no additional credentialing or contracting processes providers need to follow to offer these services.
We will reimburse medically necessary telehealth and telephonic visits at the same rate as an in-person visit, for all provider specialties, including ancillary.
Removing all member cost share (copayments, co-insurance, and deductibles) for a medically necessary telephone (telephonic) call visit in place of an office visit, and a virtual/video appointment (telehealth) services for COVID-19 and non-COVID-19-related services.
For Federal Employee Program (FEP) members:
Effective March 10, 2020, we’ve removed the member cost share for all telehealth services (COVID-19 and non-COVID-19-related) received through the Teladoc network. Members can register for Teladoc by visiting fepblue.org/coronavirus. For other providers offering telehealth services not on Teladoc, the applicable office visit cost share will apply (unless COVID-19 related).
Please visit Provider Central for the latest information on coding and billing. We have created a COVID-19 Information Center for our Clinical Partners on Provider Central.
MORE RESOURCES AND ANSWERS
Here are additional resources we can all use, for ourselves, and for the greater good.
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 our response and how we can all do our part.
COVID-19 health literacy project
Find COVID-19 information in 30+ languages, created in partnership with Harvard Health Publishing.
OUR PHYSICIAN’S INSIGHTS
Hello. I'm Dr. Katherine Dallow. You may be wondering what you can do to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. The answer is simple. Keep your distance.
The virus has the potential to spread quickly, to sicken tens of thousands, threaten the lives of thousands and overwhelm our healthcare system. By practicing what we call social distancing or physical distancing, we can significantly slow the rate of infection.
That's why communities across the country and the world are taking unprecedented steps. Schools are closed. Concerts and sporting events are canceled. Restaurants are being asked to serve takeout only, and many of us are telecommuting to work. Keeping our social distance, at least six feet from another person, means those who have the infection can't pass it on and those who don't have it can't catch it.
This is really important, since the virus can be spread by people who are asymptomatic. They should have no signs of being sick and so they and we don't know they're infected.
While all this may seem frightening, it is necessary. Social distancing is the very best way each of us can help slow the spread of the virus.
We know this is a big lifestyle change. It may lead to some of us feeling isolated, depressed, and even more anxious about this outbreak. Don't let that happen. Go outside for a walk or a run or exercise indoors. Meditation may be helpful. Of course you should stay in touch with neighbors, families, and friends. Send them a text or give them a call. You can even chat online. It's important to stay active, engaged, and connected.
Staying away from other people may be a sacrifice and it may be hard, but it's the kindest thing you can do right now. It's literally a lifesaving step, particularly for those who are most vulnerable to this virus, like our seniors, those with chronic health conditions and our healthcare workers. So please, keep your distance at least for a little while.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO
Hi, I'm Andrew Dreyfus. During this extraordinary time, I want you to know you can count on Blue Cross Blue Shield. Our priority is to ensure you have the coverage and access to the healthcare that you need. We've established a dedicated helpline to answer your questions. Our 24/7 nurse hotline is also available free to all of our members. I know this can be a confusing time. Our free news site provides important facts about the virus. Most important, I want you to know that all of us at Blue Cross are here for you during this challenging time. Thank you, and be safe.
Keep it up, it’s working
This is how our members are helping to flatten the curve. Let’s stick with it, and stick together.
KEEP IT CLEAN
- Practice good hygiene Wash your hands with soap
- Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing
- Regularly sanitize frequently touched objects
- Avoid touching your mouth nose, eyes
KEEP BACK
- Limit exposure in public Keep 6 feet away from others
- Wear cloth face coverings in places where social distancing is difficult (such as grocery stores and pharmacies).
KEEP AT HOME
- If you’re sick, stay in and limit contact with housemates
- Contact your doctor if symptoms worsen
- In an emergency, call 911
KEEP STRONG
By following these tips, you are:
- Protecting the vulnerable
- Shielding your loved ones
- Supporting frontline workers
- Contributing to your community
INFORMATION IS POWER
Check out our latest articles on how we can each do our part to protect ourselves, and each another:
What seniors should know about seeking care during pandemic
Groundbreaking contact tracing effort launches in Bay State
Mobilizing to protect the blood supply
Listen to Dr. Katherine Dallow explain what antibodies can (and can't) tell us about coronavirus
WE ARE MIGHTY, MASSACHUSETTS
See what our members, associates, and partners are doing to keep our communities strong — from those on the frontline to those behind the scenes. This is where we celebrate those who spread kindness. And inspire each other to do the same. Because together, we’re bigger than this virus.
*In accordance with state guidance, these phone/telehealth visits will be reimbursed at the same rate as face-to-face care for participating providers for both medical and behavioral health care, as long as they meet clinical standards.