Here’s more information about changes that will result from end of COVID-19 public health emergency

On Jan. 30, 2023, the White House announced that it will end the public health emergency on May 11, 2023.

As we’ve reported previously, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network enacted temporary measures to support providers and protect members during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that the public health emergency is ending, you need to know which temporary measures are continuing and which are ending.

Check out our Temporary changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic document. We’ve been regularly updating this as we determine which temporary changes become permanent and which will end.

Several temporary measures to continue

Here are a few examples of changes that are no longer temporary and will continue after the public health emergency ends:

• For all members in group or individual plans covered by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, cost sharing will continue to be waived for both the COVID-19 vaccine product and its administration when the vaccine is provided in network.
• For all members, specific COVID-19 and influenza testing will continue to be payable in a physician office setting.
• For all members, durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and medical supplies can continue to be prescribed through telemedicine visits.

Coverage for certain other temporary measures to end

Here are a couple examples of temporary changes that are ending when the public health emergency ends:

• Expanded laboratory networks — Our lab network was temporarily expanded for COVID-19 testing during the pandemic. We return to our standard lab networks beginning May 12. Direct any patients who need a COVID-19 test to an in-network lab. As a reminder, Medicare Plus Blue℠ uses JVHL, LabCorp or Quest Diagnostics labs. Blue Care Network and BCN Advantage℠ use JVHL labs.
• Over-the-counter COVID-19 tests – During the pandemic, we covered over-the-counter at-home rapid diagnostic COVID-19 tests for members with Blue Cross or BCN pharmacy coverage. This coverage ends with the ending of the public health emergency on May 11.

For other temporary measures that have ended, see the Temporary changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic document.

Resources

Here are some additional resources for information related to the end of the public health emergency.

• What Do I Need to Know? CMS Waivers, Flexibilities, and the Transition Forward from the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency**
• Fact Sheet: COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Transition Roadmap**

Through May 11, we’ll continue to update the Temporary changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic document as decisions are made.

As a reminder, you can view our COVID-19 provider communications as follows:

• Log in to our provider portal (availity.com).**
• Click on Payer Spaces in the menu bar and then click on the BCBSM and BCN logo.
• Click on the Resources tab.
• Click on Secure Provider Resources (Blue Cross and BCN).
• Under Easy Access, click on Coronavirus information.

You can also access these communications on the COVID-19 webpage for health care providers on our public website.

**Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network don’t own or control this website.

Availity is an independent company that contracts with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network to offer provider portal and electronic data interchange services.