As new developments arise around treating patients for the novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and the illness it produces (COVID-19), Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana has been closely monitoring these developments so we can best meet the needs of our members and providers.
COVID-19 Emergency Changes Ending
April 14, 2023
During COVID-19 response efforts, emergency changes became critical to ensure access to care for our members. This notice is an update on the actions Blue Cross will take in response to the federal COVID-19 public health emergency that will end on May 11, 2023.
Blue Cross Policy on COVID-19 Testing
Sept. 17, 2021
Blue Cross covers diagnostic viral detection and antibody COVID-19 testing with a healthcare provider order. However, please inform your patients that Blue Cross will not cover tests done for public health surveillance, or tests required to return to work or attend recreational events or groups.
You Can Help Patients Overcome COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy
Aug. 3, 2021
Blue Cross wants to help Louisianians Get The Facts, Get The Vax. We would like to support providers working with patients to overcome COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. We created materials to share factual information about the COVID-19 vaccine. Providers can share these with patients.
You Can Help Build COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence Among Your Patients
June 3, 2021
Pediatricians can help families feel safe, confident and prepared to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Please share this information to encourage families in scheduling COVID-19 vaccines for everyone age 12 and older.
FDA Revokes bamlanivimab
May 5, 2021
On April 16, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revoked the emergency use of monoclonal antibody therapy bamlanivimab when administered alone. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana now considers the administration of bamlanivimab when administered alone as investigational.
COVID-19: Vaccination Billing and Outreach
April 19, 2021
Several COVID-19 vaccines are now available to a growing number of people. This notice is an update on billing these services to Blue Cross and has news of an effort we are joining to help people get vaccinated.
COVID-19: Continued Advancements in Treatment
Dec. 30, 2020
There continue to be advancements in the treatment of COVID-19, which we closely monitor. This includes the progress of vaccines and new drugs. This notice is an update on billing COVID-19 vaccines and drugs to Blue Cross.
COVID Update – Member Cost Shares, Authorizations, Vaccines and more
Dec. 2, 2020
The long weeks and months that have passed since early 2020 prove that COVID-19 will be with us for the long haul. We now consider COVID-19 not a temporary, but a long-term health problem that we can expect to face for an indefinite time. -- CORRECTED LETTER
Blue Cross Waives Reporting Requirements for the Hospital Quality Program due to COVID-19
June 8, 2020
We are waiving reporting requirements for the first and second quarter 2020 measures in our Hospital Quality ProgramTemporary COVID-19 Provisions Update
May 22, 2020
As we slowly return to a “new normal” from the COVID-19 healthcare crisis, we want to remind you of upcoming end dates to some of our temporary provisions.
THANK YOU to our providers for all they are doing!
April 17, 2020
In support of our providers, learn about a few of our COVID-19 relief provisions.Additional COVID-19 Authorization Waivers Ending
Sept. 16, 2021
Blue Cross electively added additional authorization waivers effective August 20, 2021. These additional waivers will be coming to an end on September 30, 2021.Additional Authorization Waivers Implemented
Aug. 23, 2021
Effective August 20, 2021, Blue Cross is waving prior authorizations for urgent inpatient admissions and stays, and outpatient services and DME services, when criteria are met.Temporary Transfer Authorization Requirements Policy
Aug. 12, 2021
With the latest surge of COVID-19, many Louisiana hospitals are seeing increased inpatient admissions. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana understands that there may be a growing need to transfer patients for continued medical services. To help ease our hospitals’ administrative burdens, we are implementing temporary authorization requirement provisions.
Revised COVID Authorization Requirements
Sept. 22, 2020
Updates were made to the temporary COVID-19 authorization provisions.
Temporary Authorization Requirements Policy Extended
May 1, 2020
On March 27, 2020, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana implemented temporary authorization requirements through April 30, 2020. We are extending the date through May 31, 2020.
Blue Cross Suspends Pre-pay Itemized Bill Reviews
April 17, 2020
We are temporarily suspending the requirement to submit itemized bills for inpatient acute-care claims greater than $200,000 between April 13 to May 31, 2020.Temporary Authorization Requirements Policy
March 27, 2020
To help relieve the administrative burden on hospitals, we have implemented temporary authorization requirement changes.Telehealth Guidelines
Oct. 6, 2020
We have compiled a list of existing and expanded direct-to-consumer telehealth services.Telehealth Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
May 14, 2020
We have compiled a comprehensive list of FAQs to help providers better understand all of the recent telehealth changes to help with the COVID-19 healthcare emergency.Outpatient Therapy Services via Telehealth
May 12, 2020
Blue Cross’ expanded telehealth provisions include outpatient physical, occupational or speech therapy services delivered within credentialed network facilities when criteria are met.Telehealth Preventive Wellness Visits During COVID-19 Crisis
May 6, 2020
Effective for dates of service on and after March 16, 2020, Blue Cross is further expanding our policies to allow credentialed network providers to deliver preventive wellness services for all age groups as telehealth visits.Telephone Telehealth Services
April 24, 2020
Blue Cross releases guidelines for telephone telehealth services.Telehealth Guidelines for IOP & PHP Services
April 24, 2020
Blue Cross releases guidelines for telephone telehealth services.Chiropractic Telehealth Guidelines During COVID-19 Crisis
April 20, 2020
We are expanding our telehealth policies for Chiropractic services.Member Cost Share Waivers to Include All Telehealth Services
April 14, 2020
Now, in addition to BlueCare, members may be eligible for $0 telehealth visits, audio/video or by phone.ABA Telehealth Services During COVID-19 Crisis
March 27, 2020
We are expanding our telehealth policies in response to COVID-19 to include applied behavioral analysis (ABA) Services.Additional Telehealth Service Changes
March 26, 2020
As we continue to monitor how COVID-19 affects the services you bring to our members, we are further expanding our telehealth policies effective for dates of service on and after March 16, 2020.Expansion of Telehealth for Remote Care During COVID-19
March 20, 2020
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is closely monitoring the spread of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) to determine how it could affect the services you bring to our members, while also protecting our employees and the communities we serve.
We are doing everything we can to help with the national message on social distancing, and the telehealth services you provide can help ensure our members have access to the care and medications they need during this time of public health emergency.
Therefore, in response to the COVID-19 national emergency, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is expanding its telehealth policy as a way to keep provider offices up and running to meet the needs of patients.
At this time, we are expanding our telehealth policy to allow any credentialed, network physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, behavioral health specialist, or physical, occupational or speech therapist to provide telehealth services to replace office visits. Providers must follow the telehealth billing guidelines in the provider manual and agree to Blue Cross’ allowable charges.
Third Dose Vaccines
Sept. 8, 2020
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana has updated its claims filing system to now accept the following COVID-19 CPT® and HCPCS codes.COVID-19 Vaccine and Treatment Coding Reminder
We want to remind providers to bill COVID-19 vaccines and treatments with the designated codes for each manufacturer. Administration costs are eligible for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana payment when billed with the correct codes.
COVID Allowable Update for Ambulance Providers
We updated the allowable charges for the non-mileage portion of ambulance claims for select dates of service and diagnosis codes.
Recommended COVID-19 and Respiratory Pathogen Testing
Aug. 5, 2020
After thorough review from our own medical directors, Blue Cross has published recommendations for COVID-19 testing.COVID Antibody Testing Allowable Update
June 1, 2020
We established interim allowable charges for dates of service April 10, 2020, and after for antibody testing for the CPT® codes.
Inpatient Reimbursement Increase for Acute Facilities
May 5, 2020
For inpatient acute care claims with a beginning date of service between March 1 and May 31, 2020, Blue Cross is implementing an increase in inpatient base allowable for its network acute facilities for specific COVID-19 diagnosis codes.
Coverage of Antibody Testing for COVID-19
May 4, 2020
Blue Cross will cover Antibody Testing for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) without any out-of-pocket costs to members when criteria are met. Full details are in our letter, which also includes a special message from one of our medical directors about our COVID-19 testing strategy.
Lowering Costs for Members Being Tested or Treated for COVID-19
April 9, 2020
Blue Cross is now waiving member cost-sharing for COVID-19 medical treatments, including professional and facility services.
In-home Therapy Services Guidelines
March 27, 2020
Therapists providing in-home encounters must adhere to Blue Cross guidelines.Billing Inpatient COVID-19 Consultations for Patients in Isolation
March 27, 2020
As more people are diagnosed with COVID-19, some may require isolated inpatient hospitalization. Please read the guidelines for billing inpatient consultations when the provider is not able to physically enter the room of a patient in isolation.COVID-19 Code Allowables Now on iLinkBlue
March 25, 2020
Providers can now view allowable charges on iLinkBlue for the COVID-19-related codes.
COVID-19 Billing Resources
March 20, 2020
Important guidelines to help providers bill properly for COVID-19 testing.
DocuSign for Select Provider Forms
March 18, 2020
Electronic submission only for some provider forms.
QBPC Updates: COVID-19
Dec. 23, 2020
Blood Pressure Cuff Calibration: policy waiver is extended through June 30, 2021.
Quality Blue Primary Care (QBPC) Program Telehealth Services
May 21, 2020
QBPC has operational processes and some changes being made within the program that reflect telehealth services.
QBPC Blood Pressure Cuff Notice
April 22, 2020
View updated information about home blood pressure calibration and monitoring provisions being made for our members.Quality Blue Primary Care Claims-based (QBPC-CB) Tiering Update
April 17, 2020
We are altering the tiering process for QBPC-CB for November 2020.
Quality Blue Primary Care (QBPC) Tiering Process
March 26, 2020
We are altering the tiering process for May 2020.Other Resources
We're sorry, something went wrong! Please refresh your browser and try again.