Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts will continue reimbursing telehealth at the same rate as in-person services for primary and chronic care for now.
In a statement shared with Becker's Feb. 20, a spokesperson for BCBS Massachusetts said telehealth is one of the most effective tools for lowering the cost of care.
"While we are maintaining current rates of telehealth reimbursement in light of the current capacity crunch, clinicians and health insurers should work towards more affordable rates for telehealth services over time, so that everyone — employers, clinicians and patients — can all benefit from the lower costs of telehealth," the company said.
As the COVID-19 public health emergency winds down, some payers have adapted their telehealth policies. Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina said it will cover primary, behavioral and outpatient care through telehealth. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska reduced reimbursement rates for telehealth, prompting criticism from the state's hospitals.