During the COVID-19 state of emergency, Blue Cross is reimbursing telephone and virtual visits at the same rate as in-person.
Three notes:
1. The payer reported a 5,100 percent increase in telehealth claims in March compared to the 2019 monthly average of 3,500 claims.
2. Telehealth claims were up 3,600 percent from February, increasing from 5,000 claims to 180,000 claims.
3. In March, Blue Cross made payments for nearly 50,000 new claims for COVID-19 testing and care, totaling about $10 million.
More articles on telehealth:
Emergency medicine physician begins calling patients for follow-ups
Michigan providers receive nearly $3M for telehealth efforts
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine creates online pandemic course, students get involved with telehealth
