Insurance

New Law Removes Cost Barriers to Seeking Care

On March 18, 2020, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“the Act”) was signed into law.  Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) will provide coverage and waive cost-sharing (including deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance) for COVID-19 testing or for a doctor visit or call to determine if testing is necessary.

Specifically, there will be no member cost-share for COVID-19 testing or screenings to determine if a testing is needed through:

• virtual care visits
• outpatient office visits
• urgent care visits
• ER visits

Seek virtual care whenever possible. This will save lives by preventing the spread of disease, and reduce the strain on our hospitals, emergency rooms, and urgent care centers.

Additional Policy and Benefit Changes:  Blue Cross NC has announced changes including paying for telehealth visits, expanding telehealth coverage to include phone consultations, and allowing early refills on prescriptions. Blue Cross NC is also waiving prior authorization for any necessary care if a patient is diagnosed with COVID-19.

 

Telehealth Will Save You Time and Money!

BlueCross BlueShield and MDLive give Conference insurance participants access to Telehealth services! Telehealth offers you access to board-certified doctors and specialists anytime, anywhere. Once your account is set up, you can quickly and easily get help for common, non-emergency conditions. Your telehealth doctor can even send a prescription to the nearest pharmacy, if necessary.
For 2020, the NC Conference is offering this service to participants FREE of charge!  There will be no co-pay fees charged this year to NC Conference BCBS health plan participants for consulting with any doctor using MDLive.  Disregard any co-pay fees you may see in the app or on the website as they are for the MDLive general audience.  You will have to enter credit card information when making an appointment, but no fee will be charged.
Telehealth video consults are safe, secure and confidential. They are convenient when:

• your regular doctor is booked
• you’re out of town
• it’s after hours, the weekend, or a holiday
• you can’t take time off work
• you want a lower-cost option to urgent care of the ER for non-emergencies

Conditions treated include:

• general medical issues such as sinus infections, fevers, cold and flu, sports injuries, etc.
• behavioral health issues such as grief, stress, depression, and anxiety
• dermatology issues like minor cuts, rashes, psoriasis, and eczema.

Start today by creating your account. Text “videodoc” to MDLIVE (635483) and Sophie, MDLIVE’s personal Artificial-Intelligence Robot, can activate your account.  Also for 2020, when you simply register for the service (before even making an appointment), you’ll earn a $25 registration incentive!  You can redeem your $25 incentive by selecting a gift card to a retailer/restaurant of your choice from your BlueConnectNC participant portal (login > Blue Connect Home > Blue Rewards).  Please allow about 8 weeks after registration for your incentive to become available.

Flexible Spending Accounts for 2020:

Details regarding these plans may be obtained from www.probenefits.com
or the Treasurer’s Office.  MRA and DCA accounts are available to active
participants. For the 2020 calendar year, an individual can contribute up to $2,750 to a health care FSA.
The limits for the Dependent Care FSA have not changed. Employees may contribute up to $5,000 to a DC FSA if they file their taxes as a single or married jointly. Employees may contribute up to $2,500 to a DC FSA if they are married but file their taxes separately.
These accounts are subject to the guidelines established by the IRS.

New: Amazing Pace Walkingspree mobile app

The Walkingspree mobile app has been updated with lots of new features! Now you can see:

• Your progress in a challenge
• Add your non tracker activity, ie. swimming to your account.
• Connect with Google Fit/Apple Health (access varies depending on your program).

Download the app from Google Play or the App Store.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Benefits

BASE PLAN
2020 Base Summary of Benefits
BUY-UP PLAN
2020 Buy-Up Summary of Benefits
Life Insurance Benefits
BASIC Church-paid Benefit
SUPPLEMENTAL Life Insurance Option