Coronavirus, Stay Up To Date

• The first quantity of doses for the vaccine have been paid for in advance by the federal government
• BlueShield fully-insured commercial and Medicare Advantage members will receive FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines free of charge  
  • Please note: If you get the vaccine at your PCP office, any other services performed at the same appointment will be covered in accordance with your health plan benefits

• Yes, the vaccines have been safe and effective in clinical trials and since being rolled out to the general population
• The FDA and CDC will continue to monitor the safety of COVID-19 vaccines, to make sure even very rare side effects are identified
• For more information on the safety of the vaccines, visit cdc.gov

• We are supporting the federal, state and county distribution plans for the vaccine
• In New York, anyone 16 years or older can schedule a vaccine appointment

• Both mRNA vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) require two shots
  • The first shot starts building protection, but a second dose is required a few weeks later to get the most protection the vaccine can offer
• The J&J/Janssen vaccine requires one shot

• Appointments at New York State-run vaccine sites can be made on the Am I Eligible website or by calling the New York State COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline at 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829)
• Vaccines are also available at pharmacies, hospitals and through local health departments. 
• Check vaccinefinder.org for other availability in your area
• After you schedule your vaccine appointment, click here to review the next steps to getting your vaccine, including what documentation you will need to bring

• Some locations may require you to provide your BlueShield member ID card and/or your red, white and blue Medicare Health Insurance ID card
• While requirements vary by location, we encourage members to bring these documents and contact Customer Service toll free at (800) 888-1238 if you need a new member ID card
• Your ID card can also be accessed by logging into your member account at bsneny.com

• No, none of the authorized vaccines contain the live virus that causes COVID-19, so you cannot get sick from the vaccine
• The vaccines teach our immune system to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19
• While this process can cause temporary symptoms such as a sore arm, mild fever, or body ache, these are normal signs that your body is building immunity against the virus

• Yes, data from millions of individuals show the authorized vaccines are very safe and effective
  
• In clinical trials involving more than 70,000 individuals, the mRNA vaccines had an efficacy rate around 95%
• The J&J/Janssen vaccine was found to be 85% effective in preventing severe disease and 100% effective in preventing death, 28 days after vaccination
• This means that in most cases, the vaccines were shown to prevent COVID-19 or decrease its severity
• For more information about vaccine development and approval, read this article from the FDA: Vaccine Development 101

• People of color represented 42% of Pfizer’s global clinical trials participants and 37% of Moderna’s participants
• The J&J/Janssen US vaccine study included more than 30% of individuals who identified as people of color, and percentages were much higher in some of the other countries where studies were conducted
• All of these vaccines were created intentionally for a diverse worldwide population
• CDC data has shown that people of color have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19; therefore, it is encouraging to see people of color well represented in these vaccine trials

• Yes, people who have been sick with COVID-19 still need to get vaccinated
• Currently, experts do not know how long immunity lasts after a COVID-19 infection
• There are severe health risks associated with COVID-19 and re-infection is possible

• There is no evidence that the vaccines cause fertility problems
• There is also no evidence that the antibodies formed from COVID-19 vaccines cause pregnancy problems
• People who are trying to become pregnant now or in the future or who are pregnant or nursing should receive the COVID-19 vaccine

• The CDC recommends that people who have had severe or immediate allergic reactions to any ingredient in the vaccines, or who have had a severe or immediate allergic reaction to the first mRNA vaccine dose, should not get vaccinated
• Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is an ingredient in the mRNA vaccines and polysorbate is an ingredient in the J&J/Janssen vaccine
  • If you are allergic to PEG, the CDC recommends that you should not get an mRNA vaccine and ask your doctor if you should get the J&J/Janssen vaccine
  • If you are allergic to polysorbate, the CDC recommends that you should not get the J&J/Janssen vaccine and ask your doctor if you should get an mRNA vaccine
• People with a history of severe allergic reactions not related to vaccines or injectable medications (including food, pet, venom, oral medication, environmental, or latex allergies) should get the vaccine
• Vaccine allergies are very uncommon

A number of factors helped bring safe and effective vaccines to market quickly:

• The messenger RNA (mRNA) technology used in the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, as well as the technology used by J&J/Janssen, has been studied for years
• The pandemic resulted in guaranteed investment from governments and heightened urgency, making clinical trials easier to complete than any other previous vaccine
• Widespread COVID-19 infection made it easy to confirm that the vaccine worked on trial participants

• Yes, even after being vaccinated you should continue following safety guidelines – wear a mask, frequently wash your hands, and stay six feet away from others
• Distribution will take time and the vaccines’ effectiveness against infection, spread, and new strains continue to be monitored
• The CDC has issued new guidance for people who’ve been fully vaccinated, click here for more information 

• Getting the recommended doses of the authorized vaccines is the best way to protect against the emerging virus variants
• According to the CDC, studies so far suggest that antibodies generated through the authorized vaccines recognize these variants

• No, COVID-19 Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines do not alter or interact with our DNA in any way
• These vaccines teach our cells how to make a protein that triggers an immune response
• The mRNA from the COVID-19 vaccine never enters the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA is kept, so the mRNA cannot affect or interact with our DNA in any way
  
  Source: CDC

• No, all three authorized vaccines are important tools in containing the pandemic, preventing serious illness, hospitalization, and death
• Clinical studies were designed differently for each vaccine, using different populations in different countries. Therefore, it is impossible to compare the efficacy rates of the authorized vaccines
• While made differently than the mRNA vaccines, the J&J/Janssen vaccine is highly effective and causes the same immune response to protect you against COVID-19 infection
• You should get any vaccine that is available to you as soon as it becomes available to you

• Most likely no and we encourage you to get the first authorized vaccine available to you
• Getting everyone vaccinated as quickly as possible is the best way to protect against emerging virus variants

• The FDA has issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for each of the following therapies for the treatment of COVID-19:
  • COVID-19 convalescent plasma was issued an EUA on August 23, 2020 for the treatment of certain cases of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients
  • bamlanivimab was issued an EUA on November 9, 2020 for the treatment of certain mild-to-moderate cases of COVID-19 in non-hospitalized patients
  • baricitinib (Olumiant) plus remdesivir (Veklury) was issued an EUA on November 19, 2020 for the treatment of certain cases of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients
  • casirivimab and imdevimab was issued an EUA on November 21, 2020 for the treatment of certain mild-to-moderate cases of COVID-19 in non-hospitalized patients
• On October 22, 2020, remdesivir (Veklury) received FDA approval for the treatment of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients 12 years and older
  • A previous EUA of remdesivir issued on May 1, 2020 for certain cases of COVID-19 is still in effect for hospitalized patients under 12 years old

• Our clinical pharmacists have longstanding processes in place to quickly review the safety and effectiveness of any new drugs approved by the FDA that may emerge as treatment for COVID-19
• As new treatments for COVID-19 are developed, we will ensure that our members have access to medically necessary medications and treatments through their existing benefits
• There are a number of other medications and treatments that are currently being studied for the treatment of COVID-19 and great efforts are being made toward vaccine development and clinical trials are underway

• Yes. To keep our community safe and at home, we are temporarily waiving cost-shares for all telehealth visits when your provider feels it’s clinically appropriate
  • Note: if your telehealth visit is with an out-of-network provider, you may be charged a cost-share according to your out-of-network benefits
    
• We will also implement this policy for self-funded customers who elect to offer this coverage
• Please contact your provider for more information
  
• If your provider doesn’t offer telehealth, your cost-share for telemedicine visits through Doctor on Demand® is also being temporarily waived
  
• To get started, download the Doctor on Demand app or visit our telemedicine page for step-by-step instructions on how to set up a visit
  • You should select either “Coronavirus (COVID-19) evaluation” or “Coronavirus (COVID-19) education” as a reason for your visit if you feel like you may have been exposed to the coronavirus and require testing

• At this time, the $0 cost-share for fully-insured Commercial and Medicare Advantage members for telehealth services will end on May 4, 2021
• However, we do expect our members will continue to seek virtual care beyond the state of emergency
• If you are a self-insured member, please check with your group administrator for coverage potential
• If you are a Federal Employee Program (FEP) member, please visit FEPblue.org/coronavirus-updates to review telehealth coverage and other COVID-19 updates
• We’re closely monitoring regulatory guidelines to decide whether or not to extend the expansion of coverage and reduced restrictions for telehealth

• Effective May 2, 2020 we are temporarily waiving any cost-share (excluding Medicare Advantage and HSA-qualified plans) for all fully-insured BlueShield members for outpatient, in-office and telehealth mental health services performed by an in-network provider through April 26, 2021
• After April 26, 2021, these services will be subject to your regular cost-share
• If you are a self-insured member, please check with your group administrator for coverage potential

• Visit the New York State Office of Mental Health’s guide for additional support and ideas on how to manage stress and anxiety related to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• If you already see a counselor, ask if they offer telehealth; if they do, you can talk with them from your home
• You may also have access to mental health counselors and psychiatrists with telemedicine through Doctor on Demand® with no out-of-pocket costs
  • Visit DoctorOnDemand.com to get started
• Call us at 1-877-878-8785, option 2, or visit our Behavioral Health Care Management webpage for more information or to connect with a behavioral health care manager

• Connecting with others in a meaningful way is important to your physical and mental health, especially during the pandemic. Making connections may look different while social distancing, but there are tools available to help
• Visit the resources below for tips on how to overcome loneliness during the pandemic:
  • How to Combat Loneliness in Older Adults During COVID-19
  • How to Cope With Loneliness During the Coronavirus Pandemic
  • How to Handle Coronavirus Isolation and Anxiety
• You may also have access to mental health counselors and psychiatrists with telemedicine through Doctor on Demand® with no out-of-pocket costs. Visit our website to learn more. 

• The COVID-19 pandemic can bring about new stressors, especially for children, teens, essential workers, and those with chronic diseases or mental health conditions
• Check out the resources below for tips on handling stress:
  • Coping With Stress
  • COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide
  • Talking to Children
  • Taking Care of Ourselves During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
  • Doctor on Demand

• Personal protective equipment (PPE) refers to clothing and safety equipment to protect against injury or infection and can include medical gowns, masks, face shields, safety goggles, and gloves
• Some offices may be charging a fee for PPE due to COVID-19
  • Please note: you should not be charged a fee for PPE
• If you have received a fee for PPE (sometimes referred to as an “infection control fee”), please contact us at the number on the back of your member ID card

• We are aware of reported scams and price gouging, specifically related to medical devices or insurance policies
• We encourage members to treat any COVID-19 phone calls, emails, social media, or text messages with extra caution
• If you are exposed to scams or price gouging, you can report them to the New York Attorney General’s Office or the Federal Complaint Center
• We also encourage you to contact us before purchasing unsolicited insurance policies or if you’re asked to change the terms of your current coverage

• Be cautious of unsolicited requests for your Medicare or Medicaid number
• Scammers are offering COVID-19 tests to Medicare beneficiaries in exchange for personal details, including Medicare information
  • These services are unapproved and illegitimate
• Fraudsters are targeting beneficiaries in a number of ways, including telemarketing calls, social media platforms, and door-to-door visits
  • The personal information they collect from you can be used to fraudulently bill federal health care programs and commit medical identity theft
  • If Medicare or Medicaid denies the claim for an unapproved test, you could be responsible for the cost
• Be suspicious of any unexpected calls or visitors offering COVID-19 tests or supplies. If your personal information is compromised, it may be used in other fraud schemes
• Ignore offers or advertisements for COVID-19 testing or treatments on social media sites
• A doctor or other trusted health care provider should assess your condition and approve any requests for COVID-19 testing

Source: Office of Inspector General