Important Provider Resources
Latest Provider Newsroom Updates

CAN’T FIND WHAT YOU NEED?
Please contact the Provider Blue Line at 800-214-4844 from 8:00AM – 5:00PM, Monday – Thursday and 8:00AM – 4:00PM on Fridays. We also encourage you to join us during a future “Virtual Rounds” session.
Providers will need to direct all claim inquiries to Provider Service by calling 1-800-214-4844.
(Please note: We have identified an issue with COVID vaccine administration claims pulling member liability in error. The impacted claims will be adjusted. Please allow at least 30 days for adjustments to be made.)
Still have Questions?
Join our Virtual Round every Monday at 1:00 pm for updates about how we're supporting providers and members during COVID-19.
3 steps we’re taking to make it easier for you to provide care to your patients.
When referenced, the following information applies to all Medicare Advantage plans offered or administered by Blue Cross NC, including Experience Health.
1. VIRTUAL CARE
We will pay for virtual visits at parity including visits through secure video, by phone, or by audio-only (audio-only may have benefit exclusions) through March 31, 2022. On March 6th, 2020, we announced we were making telehealth easier for our members and clinicians to use. And, we meant it.
You can even use telehealth options with hospital and ED physicians. Behavioral health too. Click for a detailed guide on clinical scenarios and how to file claims here.
This measure applies to all Blue Cross NC commercial plans and Medicare Advantage plans offered and administered by Blue Cross NC, including Experience Health.
2. COSTS (Testing, Treatment and Vaccine)
Clinical Visits and Testing
Blue Cross NC will waive member cost-sharing (including deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance) for allowed charges for COVID-19 testing or for a doctor visit or call to determine if testing is necessary as long as COVID-19 testing meets all three criteria:
- Ordered by a licensed health care provider,
- Determined as medically necessary by a licensed health care provider for the diagnosis and management of a member’s medical condition
- Have been cleared, approved or given emergency use authorization (EUA) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Specifically, there will be no member cost-share for COVID-19 testing or clinical visits to determine if a testing is needed through virtual care visits, outpatient office visits, urgent care visits or ER visits. These changes are required by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. (As of today, the federal government has not set an end date for this measure.)
We continue to encourage the use of virtual visits as the first step to seeking testing. For details and coding guidance, please click here.
This measure will remain in place through the Public Health Emergency for Blue Cross NC’s fully-insured individual and group plans, Federal Employee Program members and members of self-funded groups that did not opt out. Members should contact the Blue plan listed on their ID card for information about their COVID-19 benefits. This measure will remain in place through December 31, 2021 for Medicare Advantage plans offered by Blue Cross NC.
COVID-19 Treatment
Blue Cross NC will continue waiving member cost-sharing (copays, deductibles and coinsurance) through June 30, 2021, for COVID-19-related treatment that is medically necessary and consistent with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
This measure applies to all fully-insured Blue Cross NC commercial plans (individual and group plans), the State Health Plan, the Federal Employee Program, Medicare Supplemental plans, and Medicare Advantage plans offered or administered by Blue Cross NC, including Experience Health.
Self-funded employer groups have the option to apply this extension to their employees' plans. We will work quickly with groups interested in extending this benefit provision. Members should contact the Blue plan listed on their ID card for information about their COVID-19 benefits.
COVID-19 Vaccine
Blue Cross NC will cover COVID-19 vaccines that are FDA approved for emergency use authorization (EUA) at no cost for all members - both during the public health emergency and after.
During the public health emergency, the federal government will pay for the cost of the COVID-19 vaccine for all individuals. Additional costs associated with administering the vaccine (such as vaccine supplies, storage and provider costs) will be covered by either the federal government or the member’s health plan, depending on the member.
- For members over 65 (Medicare and Medicare Advantage), the federal government will pay all vaccine-related costs, with no cost to members.
- For commercial members, the cost to administer the vaccine will be covered by the member’s health plan, with no cost to members.
- For customers on a grandfathered group plan, vaccines will be available at no member cost-share. Because of differences in the federal rule related to grandfathered plans, we're working on additional details around how we will handle provider reimbursement for vaccine administrative fees. We will provide more details as soon as possible.
After the public health emergency, Blue Cross NC will cover the cost of the COVID-19 vaccine with no cost-sharing to members, as part of our routine preventative care and immunization benefits in accordance with federal laws and regulations.
Members who live outside of North Carolina will need to follow their local and state guidelines to determine how they should receive the vaccine. States will determine the appropriate staging on who gets the vaccine first and how it will need to be administered based on supply.
We believe the distribution of a safe, effective and clinically approved COVID-19 vaccine is of utmost importance. We will work with providers in our network to support capacity to meet member demand.
For full details on provider reimbursement for vaccine administrative fees according to Blue Cross NC segment, see our Provider News article.
3. WAIVING MEDICARE ADVANTAGE COPAYS
Blue Cross NC is waiving all copays for in-network primary care and outpatient behavioral health visits for Medicare Advantage members from June 1 through the end of 2020. Visits do not have to be related to COVID-19 and can be done in person or virtually through telehealth.
The copay waiver is specific to the primary care medical visit or behavioral health therapy visit. Members may have costs for other services unless they are related to COVID-19 treatment or testing.
Behavioral Health Providers
OVERVIEW
You can provide any services covered under your existing Blue Cross NC contract using telehealth (video and/or audio) in accordance with the Temporary Expansion of Reimbursement for Telehealth Services. Services can be provided for conditions not related to COVID-19. Member cost sharing continues to apply.
CLARIFICATION ON CLAIMS AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR TELEHEALTH
We have received numerous questions related to claims and reimbursement for our expanded telehealth measures. Please see below for additional guidance.
- Any claims for telehealth submitted on or after March 6, 2020, will be reprocessed and paid at parity to in-person visits. You do not need to take additional actions.
- You can use any face-to-face CPT codes for telehealth. However, you must also list place of service (POS) 02. Additionally, if you used telephone only (no video), you must use the modifier CR. Please note that any prior authorization requirements still apply when services are performed via telehealth.
We thank you for your patience and continued service to our members. Our priority is to address these issues as quickly as possible to ensure that both providers and members are able to utilize our expanded telehealth benefit.

Additional Behavioral Health Resources
- American Psychiatric Association Telepsychiatry and COVID-19
- National Center for PTSD COVID-19: Resources for Managing Stress
- American Society of Addiction Medicine COVID-19 Resources
- Resources for Addiction Treatment Providers
- SAMHSA COVID-19 Information
- NCDHHS Hope4NC helpline and Hope4Healers helpline
Provider COVID-19 Triage Listing – How to Get COVID-19 Care
We want to help members find the right care, at the right place, at the right time.
This is especially important in the case of COVID-19. We can prevent the spread of infection. We can protect our members and you on the front lines.
Our recommendation to members is to always first call your primary care provider (PCP).
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS)
- General Questions on COVID-19: Call North Carolina Coronavirus Helpline 866-462-3821
- Get answers to COVID-19 testing questions here, or find a COVID-19 testing location
Below, we’ve made a list of resources from health care systems and practices throughout NC. We’ve included the right first steps for our members to engage appropriately in triage protocols.
North Carolina’s Regional Sites
Charlotte
Atrium Health
Phone Hotline
For community physicians only: 704-512-7878
Virtual Care
- COVID-19 Risk Assessment bot at https://atriumhealth.org/coronavirus
- Virtual and eVisits offered at: http://atriumhealth.org/GetCareNow
Website
Novant Health
Phone Hotline
If your patient does not have a PCP at Novant Health, call helpline 877-9NOVANT
Virtual Care
- Self-assessment chat bot: www.novanthealth.org/coronavirus
Website
CaroMont
Iredell Health System
Lake Norman
Website: www.lnrmc.com/covid-19
Triad
Wake Forest Baptist Health
Phone Hotline
For community physicians only: 336-716-7654 or 800-277-7654.
Cone Health
Virtual Care
Make a free MyChart COVID-19 e-Visit at http://conehealth.com/appointments
Novant Health
Phone Hotline
If your patient does not have a PCP at Novant, call helpline 877-9NOVANT
Virtual Care
Self-assessment chat bot: www.novanthealth.org/coronavirus
Website: www.novanthealth.org/coronavirus
Randolph Health
Triangle: Durham, Chapel Hill, Raleigh
UNC Health
Phone Hotline
If your patient does not have a PCP at UNC Health, call helpline 1-888-850-2684
Virtual Care: http://www.uncurgentcare247.com/
Website: https://www.unchealthcare.org/coronavirus/
Testing: You may refer your patient to a UNC Health Respiratory Diagnostic Center or to a UNC Virtual Care center; patients must be scheduled by a clinician.
WakeMed & WakeMed Key Community Care (WKCC)
Phone Hotline
WakeMed Health Help Line at 919-350-5200
Virtual Care: Set up a virtual urgent care visit: https://www.wakemed.org/virtual-urgent-care
Website: https://www.wakemed.org/concerned-about-the-coronavirus-covid-19
Testing: Respiratory Diagnostic Centers (RDC) open, but patients must first call the WakeMed Health Help Line to receive screening and an order from a physician to make an appointment
Duke Health
Phone Hotline: If your patient does not have a PCP at Duke Health, call COVID-19 Hotline 919-385-0429
Virtual Care: www.dukehealth.org/treatments/virtual-urgent-care
Website: www.dukehealth.org/covid-19-update
Testing: At this time widespread testing including drive-up testing is not available. Duke Health is currently building capabilities to offer drive-up testing and will continue to follow CDC and State guidance on who to test.
Granville Health
Website: www.ghshospital.org/patients-visitors/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-updates-and-guidance
Avance Care
Virtual Care: Book a visit online at www.avancecare.com/contact-us/book-online or call your office; specify that you would like a telehealth visit and you will be contacted
Website: www.avancecare.com/covid-19
Coastal
Wilmington Health
Phone Hotline
- If your patient is established with Wilmington Health, have them text “APPT” 839894
- If you are a Blue Cross NC member and a NEW patient to Wilmington Health, have them text “BCBS” to 839894.
- Or have them call 910.341.3400 — always call before leaving home.
Website: https://www.wilmingtonhealth.com/coronavirus-defense
New Hanover
Website: https://www.nhrmc.org/coronavirus
Carteret
Phone Hotline: Public Information Recorded Hotline 252-726-7177 by the Carteret County Health Department. Includes # of confirmed cases, what to do if feeling sick, and information on sheltering in place. Public Inquiry Phone 252-726-7060 – Staffed by the Carteret County Health Department.
Website: www.carterethealth.org/Coronavirus-COVID-19-Resources
CarolinaEast
Dosher
Phone Hotline: Brunswick County Public Health Department at 910-253-2339 or NC DHHS at (866) 462-3821
Website: www.dosher.org/getpage.php?name=COVID-19_Patient%2FCommunity_Information
Sentara Albemarle
Phone Hotline: Call nurse line at 1-833-945-2395 to direct to appropriate resources
Website: https://sentaraupdates.com
Western
Mission/HCA
Virtual Care: missionhealth.org/virtual-clinic
Website: missionhealth.org/covid-19
Advent Hendersonville (formerly Park Ridge)
Phone Hotline: 24-hour AdventHealth Triage Nurse Hotline: 828-681-2300
Virtual Care: Download the AdventHealth app for a virtual urgent care visit (details at )
Website:
Hugh Chatham Memorial
Phone Hotline: If you have nonurgent questions, call the Care Line at 336-527-CARE
Website: https://www.hughchatham.org/hugh-chatham-memorial-hospital-updates-on-covid-19-novel-coronavirus/
Catawba Valley Medical Center
Website: https://www.catawbavalleyhealth.org/Medical-Center/Patients-Visitors/Coronavirus-Preparedness.aspx
Appalachian Regional Health System
Virtual Care: If you have symptoms, connect with a RelyMD doctor at .
Website: https://apprhs.org/covid19/
Testing: Two alternative COVID-19 testing sites in Avery or Watauga County; the RelyMD physician will help you make an appointment if you have symptoms
Northern Regional Hospital (Surry County)
Erlanger Murphy Medical Center
Phone Hotline: If you don’t have a PCP, call the closest urgent care center
Eastern
Vidant Health
Phone Hotline: General community resource hotline: 252-847-8000 or NC DHHS hotline at 866-462-3821
ECU Physicians
Phone Hotline: Call 252-744-1111 for instructions
Martin General
Sampson Regional
Sandhills
First Health
Cape Fear Valley
Phone Hotline: If your patient has COVID-19 symptoms, call the Carelink line at 910-615-LINK
Southeastern Health
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