CommercialCoverageHigh impact
Member Cost Share Waiver for COVID-19 Treatment Ending
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield·Provider News
Effective date
Sep 1, 2021
We identified it
Jun 20, 2026
Summary
CareFirst will no longer waive member cost sharing (copays, coinsurance, deductibles) for COVID-19 treatment starting September 1, 2021 for commercial members and January 1, 2022 for Medicare Advantage members. Cost share waivers will continue for COVID-19 diagnostic testing and visits associated with testing, while vaccinations remain at zero cost.
Action Required
By September 1, 2021: Billing team must update systems to collect member cost sharing (copays, coinsurance, deductibles) for all COVID-19 treatment visits and services for commercial members. By January 1, 2022: Apply same changes for Medicare Advantage members. Continue zero cost sharing for COVID-19 diagnostic testing visits and tests only. Update billing software to use code M0201 for in-home vaccinations effective June 8, 2021.