By Elizabeth Bennett, BSW, Client Services Assistant
COVID-19 has brought change and uncertainty for everyone. The transition to working and learning remotely, social distancing, increased unknowns, financial stressors, and more has individuals and businesses all over the country adapting.
In response to the growing needs in our community, Full Circle has extended its services to include virtual therapy. This expansion will extend our reach of support in the Richmond community, ensuring that children, adults, and families have a spectrum of grief services available at Full Circle during our physical closure.
Insurance companies are supporting this mission by implementing policy aimed to ease some of the burden of COVID-19 while ensuring access to services otherwise limited by the pandemic.
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
For 90 days effective March 17, 2020, Anthem’s affiliated health plans will waive member cost shares for telehealth visits, including visits for mental health or substance use disorders, for our fully-insured employer plans, individual plans, Medicare plans and Medicaid plans, where permissible.
Aetna
Aetna Commercial patients pay $0 for covered telemedicine visits until June 4, 2020.
Cigna
Behavioral telehealth sessions are available to patients with Cigna coverage and are administered in accordance with their behavioral health benefits.
Effective March 21, 2020 through September 30, 2020, Cigna is doubling the available number of free sessions any EAP customer can use for stressors and concerns in response to the impact of COVID-19 on daily lives.
Optima
We, and our self-funded employer groups, are covering member copayments and coinsurance for all telehealth visits through June 7, 2020.
Medicare/Medicaid
While Full Circle does not accept Medicare or Medicaid, most insurance companies are also offering assistance for those members. Please visit your insurer’s website for more information.
Full Circle understands that these changes can be overwhelming and difficult to follow so we try to put your mind at ease when it comes to billing by keeping you informed on both your account and our payment processes.
Following all telehealth appointments, we file a claim and approximately 2-3 weeks later receive remittance from your insurance company confirming your amount due. For your convenience, payments are not processed until your balance has been confirmed.
We are happy to help with any questions or concerns regarding insurance coverage for telehealth appointments during COVID-19. We encourage you to verify behavioral health benefits and eligibility and find more information regarding your coverage by calling the member number on the back of your insurance card.
To make a counseling appointment, contact Britt Cowart LCSW, Grief Service Director, at 804-912-2947 ext 107 or counseling@fullcirclegc.org.
