Thread by @RahulRajkumar11

All of us are vulnerable to #COVID19. We are in this together – @BlueCrossNC is working to remove barriers to care. For our members diagnosed with COVID-19, we are waiving cost-sharing (deductibles, co-payments, and coinsurance) for COVID-19 treatment. ow.ly/octk50z2Jn1

This applies to both in-network and out-of-network providers. We will directly reimburse out-of-network providers at our in-network or Medicare rates. We will shield members from balance billing by out-of-network hospitals.

We are serious about protecting members from #surprisebills. In this time of crisis for our state, we call on out-of-network providers: Let’s work together to shield North Carolinians from financial harm.

Health care workers across the country are making heroic efforts and putting their own health at risk to deliver care and save lives. We owe you our deepest gratitude and thanks. We are committed to supporting your response to COVID-19.

We’ll be extending the measures we already have in place to help our members access and afford care, and support clinicians. This includes covering telehealth services the same as in-person provider visits (at parity).

So if you haven’t already -- Tell your patients to stay home and see you virtually – by video or phone. We’ve put a lot of effort into updates and resources to help clinicians make the switch to virtual: ow.ly/eCPd50z2FLH

We’ve updated this table of clinical scenarios to make it easy: ow.ly/hbeX50z2EUs

And our team is holding weekly webinars to answer questions and keep you updated. This week we’ll feature behavioral health and virtual care with @HobbsKnutsonMD. Register here. ow.ly/PjEK50z2FO8

We have already seen the toll #COVID19 is taking on the health across the country and in #NC. We have many long, difficult weeks ahead of us. But we can choose to confront these challenges together to protect the health of our communities.