News & Updates

March 18, 2022

Choosing the proper type of COVID-19 test for you depends on how you feel, why you are taking a test and which tests are available in your area. This article compares two types of tests for COVID-19.

February 18, 2022

Taking the proper steps to isolate and quarantine ensures people can safely go about their daily routines. Learn more about isolation and quarantine guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

January 11, 2022

Parents have made decision after decision to protect their families during the pandemic. And with the COVID-19 vaccine available for young children, they face one more. How are parents coping with the decision to vaccinate their kids?

November 24, 2021

With the Delta variant’s dominance and cases of COVID-19 on the rise across the United States, a booster shot can help strengthen protection against severe disease in high-risk populations.

November 22, 2021

After nearly two years of canceled plans due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are eager to travel to see loved ones over the holidays. But how can they do so safely?

November 5, 2021

Roughly 28 million children ages 5 to 11 are now eligible to receive Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. Here’s what you need to know.

October 4, 2021

These community grants will support nonprofits addressing the health, social and economic needs of people living in these areas.

September 13, 2021

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, which is a very positive step. But what exactly does it mean?

August 16, 2021

In alignment with the organization's ongoing initiatives to achieve target vaccination rates that will end the pandemic, CareFirst announced it will make COVID-19 vaccinations a requirement for its workforce, Boards of Directors and guests.

August 13, 2021

It’s understandable that during the COVID-19 pandemic, many have been hesitant to keep up with their routine healthcare, but that does not need to be the case. What is preventive care? How can you get back on track?

July 29, 2021

The Centers for Disease Control issued updated guidance for fully vaccinated people. Their recommendations urge increased caution in public indoor settings in areas of high transmission. New guidelines continue to be subject to state, local and individual business rules and regulations.

July 22, 2021

A new warning is issued after Guillain-Barre syndrome presents in a small number of people who had received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. But officials still say the benefits outweigh the risk. Here is what you need to know.

July 15, 2021

COVID-19 variants continue to spread across the country, including the most dominant one, the Delta variant. Find out how these mutations are created, what we can do to protect ourselves from them, why we use Greek letters to name them, and more.

June 8, 2021

How to set boundaries to keep yourself safe and sane as the COVID-19 pandemic roars.

May 24, 2021

More Americans report turning to drugs and alcohol to cope with pandemic-related stress. Learn how to recognize the signs of substance abuse and get help for recovery.

May 14, 2021

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for use in 12-to-15-year-olds. Here’s what you need to know about getting your child their important shot.

May 13, 2021

Today, the Centers for Disease Control issued updated guidance for fully vaccinated people. Their recommendations relax mask requirements in certain situations, subject to state, local and individual business rules and regulations.

April 26, 2021

As of April 23, 2021, the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is back after a 10-day pause. Here's what you need to know about rare side effects and more.

February 16, 2021

Today, CareFirst announced it is expanding the impact of its "Better Together" COVID-19 vaccination adoption campaign through a new pledge targeted to all its employees and contingent workers. The effort seeks to protect the public's health by inspiring employees to get vaccinated against the coronavirus when eligible.

Read the Full Press Release

February 5, 2021

CareFirst launches the “Better Together” campaign to educate people across Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia about the importance of every eligible person taking the COVID-19 vaccine when it’s their turn.

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December 15, 2020

Today, CareFirst announced costs associated with all FDA authorized COVID-19 vaccines will be fully covered for all members, including members in self-insured plans.

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September 24, 2020

Today, CareFirst announced it will continue to waive member copays, coinsurance and deductibles for COVID-19 testing and treatment through December 31, 2020, regardless of the public health emergency status.

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August 25, 2020

CareFirst announced the distribution of 100,000 care packages to its most vulnerable member populations including Medicaid members, individuals over 65-years-old, individuals under 65-years-old with underlying medical conditions as well as student health plan members.

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July 8, 2020

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July 8, 2020

Today, CareFirst announced its new initiative, “Care, delivered,” a $5 million public-private sector philanthropic endeavor that will distribute personal protective equipment (PPE) at no-cost to select healthcare and social service organizations on the front lines of the pandemic. This initiative is part of CareFirst’s ongoing commitment to support the communities it serves as they navigate the complexities of this public health crisis.

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June 12, 2020

Today, CareFirst announced it will provide premium credits for many fully insured customers in light of treatment disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the waiver of member cost sharing related to telehealth services has been extended to July 24, 2020, and for COVID-19 testing and treatment through September 30, 2020.

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May 11, 2020

During this challenging time, CareFirst is committed to ensuring our members have the coverage they need, and their policies are not cancelled for nonpayment of premiums. Individuals who buy their own insurance, and who are experiencing difficulties making their payments, can follow these steps to apply for payment deferral:

Register or log into My Account, go to the Billing section and click the link for the payment deferral form.
Complete all the form fields, being sure to select the payment deferral month(s).
Once your request has been submitted, it will be considered final for the requested period and cannot be modified online. You can only submit one request for deferral.

April 11, 2020

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield and the Maryland State Medical Society (MedChi) announced a partnership to provide one year of complimentary access to DrFirst’s Backline Telehealth platform. This partnership will equip additional Maryland physicians with the technology needed to provide virtual care during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

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April 10, 2020

As cases of COVID-19 have grown, patient visits have declined dramatically as physicians have been required to cease nonurgent procedures. Today, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield announced it will offer more than $170 million in accelerated payments and other initiatives to healthcare providers experiencing financial shortfalls.

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April 8, 2020

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield has helped form an innovative partnership with the Maryland State and Baltimore City Government, Johns Hopkins Medicine and the University of Maryland Health System. The partnership brings public and private sectors together to build out tools, resources and services that will help quickly and efficiently scale up efforts to respond to COVID-19.

On April 6, the partnership launched a 24/7 call center staffed by healthcare professionals specially trained to help those experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or who have exposure concerns. All Central Maryland residents – with or without health insurance – can reach the call center by dialing 2-1-1 and be connected to a healthcare professional for information, support and instructions.

This call center is critical to supporting people from the safety of their homes, keeping our community as safe as possible and flattening the curve of COVID-19. Please remember, avoiding hospitals and healthcare facilities when possible can save lives.

April 3, 2020

Register or log into My Account, go to the Billing section and click the link for the payment deferral form.
Complete all the form fields, being sure to select the payment deferral month(s).
Once your request has been submitted, it will be considered final for the requested period and cannot be modified online.

Please note if you are an employer, please go to the Employer page for instructions, or contact your broker to make the deferral request.

March 27, 2020

Today, CareFirst announced a program available for the company’s licensed nurses and behavioral health practitioners to volunteer their time, resources and expertise during this public health crisis.

“In this time of need, it is vital to act with urgency to ensure people living in our communities have access to quality care during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said CareFirst’s Executive Vice President of Health Services, Stacia Cohen.

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To lessen the financial impact of COVID-19 and ensure continuity of care during the pandemic, CareFirst is allowing individual members and employers to defer premium payments for up to two months.

“By offering a premium deferral option, we hope to help our customers maintain some peace of mind,” said CareFirst President and CEO Brian Pieninck.

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Maryland Department of Health and DC Health Release Coronavirus Guidance