U-M health plan and prescription drug plan members have new access to care.

To help ensure the U-M community receives needed health care during the global COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, all members covered under U-M’s health plans now have coverage for virtual in-network medical and behavioral health visits. Cost sharing (copays, deductible, coinsurance) will be waived for all virtual in-network medical visits through June 30, 2020.

To further ensure your telemedicine visit is covered as described, call your in-network provider directly for an appointment. Blue Cross Online Visits scheduled using the BCBSM website or app are not covered by U-M’s health plans. You will be responsible for the entire cost of Blue Cross Online Visits.

In addition, U-M prescription drug plan members may order a refill of their maintenance medication in advance of the usual refill schedule through May 19, 2020.

Telemedicine Appointments

While telemedicine appointments have been covered through U-M’s BCBSM Community Blue PPO and Comprehensive Major Medical (CMM) plans for some time, effective immediately, these virtual benefits are now covered in the U-M Premier Care and GradCare plans.

Member copays for virtual medical and mental-health visits are the same as the copay for in-person appointments. However, the copay will be waived for virtual in-network medical visits through June 30, 2020.

The copay waiver applies only to virtual medical appointments. For members in the CMM plan, the cost-sharing waiver applies and is effective even if you haven’t reached your deductible. 

Telemedicine appointments at Michigan Medicine providers will be available by April 1, 2020.

Another option for medical care is through CVS Pharmacy’s MinuteClinic. Care is covered at MinuteClinics whether the care is delivered at a walk-in location or through the MinuteClinic video-visit option. Copays apply for walk-in clinic care, but will be waived for MinuteClinic video visits. However, due to technical limitations, you will be required to pay for your MinuteClinic video visit at the time of care and seek reimbursement for this expense. To request reimbursement, complete a claim form and submit it to your health plan.

Reminder: Because COVID-19, the flu and other illnesses are easily passed through person-to-person contact, call your doctor’s office before seeking care to minimize your chance of spreading germs to another.  

Advance Prescription Refills

To ensure that you have your prescription maintenance medication available, the Benefits Office implemented a refill override that is effective until May 19, 2020. You may get up to a 90-day supply of maintenance medication in advance of the usual refill schedule. Typically you would need to wait until you have used 75 percent of your current fill before you could request a refill. That limit has been lifted, and you may request a refill at any time as long as your prescription has refills available.

For more information about U-M’s continued response to COVID-19, please visit the U-M Coronavirus website.