COVID-19 Resources & Updates

COVID vaccinations and booster shots will continue to be covered at no cost to members.

Vaccination against COVID-19 is the best way to protect yourself, your family, friends and neighbors, and other people in your community. Vaccination lowers your chances of getting COVID-19 – or of ending up in the hospital – even if you do have a breakthrough infection after becoming vaccinated.

The 2023-2024 vaccines that protect against the more current strains of the COVID-19 virus will be available to Vermonters in the coming weeks. Check with your primary care provider's office or local pharmacies on availability.

With the end of the public health emergency, at-home COVID-19 antigen tests (test kits) will no longer be covered. Provider-based COVID-19 tests will be covered with a cost-share. Please note that if you have coverage through your employer and do not have Vermont Blue Rx pharmacy coverage, please contact your employer for more information about your coverage for COVID-19 tests.

Beginning September 25, 2023, every U.S. household can receive four free COVID-19 rapid tests from the U.S. government. Visit covid.gov/tests for more information and to order.

Before you throw out expired COVID-19 antigen tests, check to see if the expiration data has been extended.

Oral medications used to treat COVID-19, including Paxlovid and Lagevrio (Molnupiravir), are covered with a Tier 3 cost-share. Injectable medications used to treat COVID-19, administered by your doctor and that are FDA-authorized or FDA-approved, will be covered with a cost-share.

If you do not have pharmacy coverage through Vermont Blue Rx, please contact your employer for more information about your coverage for COVID-19 medications.

As the state’s only local, non-profit health plan, we're focused on helping Vermonters live happier, healthier lives.

Beginning July 1, 2023, the following pharmacy changes went into effect:

• COVID-19 vaccines will be covered with no cost to members who have one of our plans. Providers will be able to charge a fee for giving you the shot, but we will pay this fee. Please note, we do not cover COVID-19 testing that is billed to you as a line-item on a college, school, or workplace bill, or as any other facility line-item charge.
• Pharmacy coverage is no longer available for take-home rapid COVID-19 tests.
• Oral medications used to treat COVID-19, including Paxlovid and Lagevrio (Molnupiravir), are covered with a Tier 3 cost-share. Please reference your health plan benefits for details or contact the Customer Service team at the phone number listed on the back of your ID card with questions regarding benefits and coverage for COVID-19.
• In-patient and out-patient COVID-19 treatment will have a cost-share beginning July 1, 2023.
• AmWell 24/7 telemedicine services will now require a member cost-share.

Telehealth Visits

You can see a doctor at any time of the day or night by using your smartphone, tablet, or computer. AmWell telemedicine visits and mental health visits will incur member cost-share fees based on your plan benefits.

AmWell has established a Telehealth Response Program to support the use of telehealth as an initial COVID-19 screening tool, which includes an always-on-call infection control officer. You can download the AmWell app for Apple or Android devices.

COVID-19 provides an unfortunate opportunity for scammers to take advantage of the concern and anxiety many are feeling about their health and safety. Some of the COVID-19 scams include:

• Fraudulent home testing kits
• Fraudulent vaccinations
• Fraudulent offers for products, such as N95 masks, medical supplies, and cleaning supplies

Scammers may offer products in exchange for your personal information, which they then use to commit fraud. Don’t give out your member ID number or other personal information if you receive an offer for COVID-19 testing, treatment, or supplies from any source other than a trusted, qualified health care provider.

Fraud Reporting
If you believe you’ve been scammed or your information has been used in a fraud, you can report it several ways:

• Call our customer service team at the number on the back of your ID card
• Contact our fraud hotline at (800) 337-8440 or fraud_issues@bcbsvt.com
• Contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at (866) 720-5721 or disaster@leo.gov

Tips To Protect Yourself From Scams

• Be cautious of unsolicited requests for personal information, such as your member ID number or your Medicare number.
• Be suspicious of unsolicited offers of COVID-19 tests or supplies.
• Ignore offers on social media of COVID-19 tests or treatment.
• Only a physician or other qualified health care provider should recommend or approve requests for COVID-19 testing.