Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska (BCBSNE) encourages the community to take steps to stop the spread of COVID-19 as cases remain high across much of the state.
The majority of Nebraska’s 93 counties are currently experiencing high rates of transmission, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website.
At the time of publication, the state has a seven-day moving average of 57 new hospital admissions and a 15 to 19.9% positivity rate for tests. To help protect capacity within the health care system, Dr. Debra Esser, BCBSNE’s chief medical officer, recommends Nebraskans:
- Get vaccinated and receive their booster shot when eligible
- Wear a well-fitting mask in indoor public spaces and crowded outdoor areas
- Wash their hands often and disinfect high-touch surfaces
“Our health care providers are stretched thin and doing their best to take care of those in need of their services,” Esser said. “It’s up to all of us to do our part to protect the health of our state and lessen the burden our providers face.”
Testing is also essential to preventing the spread of COVID-19, according to the CDC. New at-home testing resources are available for both BCBSNE and non-BCBSNE members:
- Testing resources for BCBSNE members: As of Jan. 15, 2022, BCBSNE members who are part of a fully insured or self-funded group that uses BCBSNE’s pharmacy benefits manager, Prime Therapeutics, as well as individual health plan members, have a $0 cost share for up to eight individual over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 tests per member per 30 days.
Visit “How Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic —and what you need to know” to view the current list of eligible tests and access additional information on testing and treatment coverage for BCBSNE members.
- Additional testing resources: Free at-home COVID-19 tests are also available to order through the Biden Administration at CovidTests.gov.
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