NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Empire BlueCross BlueShield today announced temporary revised medical guidelines to help members living in New York who are directly impacted by the blizzard.
The revised guidelines will help Empire members who are impacted by the blizzard access needed medical care. Members impacted and in need of medical attention should seek medical assistance wherever it is available. In addition, impacted members in New York seeking emergency and urgent services will have access to out-of-network providers at in-network benefit levels when in-network providers are unavailable due to the blizzard.
For impacted members, Empire is:
- Allowing members to get emergency or urgent care services from doctors and hospitals, even if they are not in their plan network — and claims will be paid at in-network coverage levels.
- Relaxing time limits for prior authorization, referral requirements -- members will not be penalized for taking reasonable actions to access the care they need during the blizzard.
These adjusted medical and pharmacy guidelines are effective immediately and will remain in effect through March 15, 2017 (unless extended). Members who are impacted by the blizzard should call the number on the back of their membership card to request any of the above adjustments be made to their benefits.
These adjusted medical and pharmacy guidelines do not apply to Medicare Part D, Medicare Advantage, Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and self-insured employer groups. Members of those plans have specific guidelines.
For additional questions, members should call the phone number on the back of their membership card. Also, members are encouraged to access benefits information through the BRAND mobile application. Finally, LiveHealth Online is a convenient way to have live video conversations with doctors and is available to anyone who needs non-emergency medical care when their own doctor is not available. Services can be accessed by logging on to www.livehealthonline.com or using a free LiveHealth Online app that can be downloaded on an iOS or Android smartphone or tablet.
About Empire BlueCross BlueShield
Serving New Yorkers for 80 years, Empire BlueCross BlueShield is the largest health insurer in New York supporting more than four million members and more than 38,000 business, union and small employers in New York. Empire BlueCross BlueShield (Empire) is the trade name of Empire HealthChoice Assurance, Inc., and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO is the trade name of Empire HealthChoice HMO, Inc., independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, serving residents and businesses in the 28 eastern and southeastern counties of New York State. Additional information about Empire is available at www.empireblue.com. Also, follow us on Twitter at @empirebcbs.