Florida Blue Provides $100 Million in Health Care Cost Relief to Members of its Individual, Fully Insured Employer Group and Medicare Advantage Plans
The insurer is taking several steps to support health plan members and communities
May 12, 2020, 14:56 ET
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., May 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida Blue, the state's leading health insurer, today announced additional actions being taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to support:
These efforts are expected to provide an estimated $100 million in health care cost relief to members of Florida Blue's Individual, Fully Insured Employer Group and Medicare Advantage health plans.
"Members have felt significant wellness and financial impacts as a result of this pandemic," said Pat Geraghty, president and CEO of Florida Blue. "It is crucial that members continue to have access to much-needed health care, while we strive to lessen the financial burden for our members."
In addition, Florida Blue is implementing additional plan and policy changes to help its members stay healthy and cope financially during COVID-19.
Extended COVID-19 Coverage:
- Waive COVID-19 Cost-Sharing Through Aug. 1.: Florida Blue will waive cost-sharing for its members who must undergo testing and treatment for COVID-19, including in-patient hospital admissions. This applies to all Florida Blue members with ACA, Medicare Advantage (excluding Part D drug plans) and other Individual plans, as well as all Fully Insured Employer Group health plans.
Increased Access to Virtual Health Care Services:
All Floridians and Florida Blue members can visit floridablue.com/COVID19 for the latest information on coronavirus. Florida Blue members with specific coverage questions can call the phone number on the back of their member ID card or 1-800-352-2583. Medicare members can call 1-800-926-6565 or visit floridablue.com/Medicare/COVID19.
Florida Blue continues its partnership with New Directions Behavioral Health to offer a bilingual helpline to assist all Floridians with the stress they may feel during the COVID-19 health crisis. The toll-free helpline connects individuals with specially trained behavioral health counselors who can assist anyone experiencing feelings of stress, anxiety, trauma and grief due to the health crisis. Any Floridian, whether or not they have Florida Blue insurance, can call the 24-hour helpline at 833-848-1762.
About Florida Blue
Florida Blue, Florida's Blue Cross and Blue Shield company, has been providing health insurance to residents of Florida for more than 75 years. Driven by its mission of helping people and communities achieve better health, the company serves more than 5 million health care members across the state. In total, Florida Blue and its affiliated companies serve 27 million people in 35 states. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., it is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
SOURCE Florida Blue
