BayCare Health Plans to Waive All Out-Of-Pocket Costs for COVID-19

Clearwater, Fla., (April 6, 2020) – BayCare Health Plans, a subsidiary of BayCare Health System, announced today it will waive all out-of-pocket costs for all its BayCarePlus Medicare Advantage members who must undergo testing or treatment for COVID-19, including in-patient hospital admissions. 

This announcement impacts almost 8,000 local Medicare beneficiaries who receive their Medicare coverage from BayCare Heath Plans. 

“Since the first signs of this pandemic, BayCare has been working to address the health needs of this community,” said Larry Costello, president of BayCare Health Plans. “Supporting our Medicare members in their time of need is the natural next step, and we are honored to be able to help them.”

For any members who are hospitalized as a result of COVID-19, BayCarePlus will support them with a team of clinicians and case managers who will assist in their recovery and in avoiding unnecessary trips back to the hospital. 

All co-pays and cost-sharing related to testing for the virus will also be waived by BayCare Health Plans. 

“The health and wellbeing of the community is our top priority,” Costello said. “If one of our members contracts the virus, their concern should not be in how to afford their care. We will worry about that, so that they can focus on getting better.” 

BayCarePlus is waiving prior authorization requirements for any member being transferred from inpatient hospital care to post-acute facilities, such as skilled nursing facilities. Doing so frees up hospital beds for any patients who may need them as a result of the novel coronavirus. Out-of-network restrictions have also been lifted. 

BayCarePlus is encouraging its members to avoid any unnecessary trips to the doctor’s office and is working with its providers to offer telehealth alternatives for patients. 


About BayCare Health Plans Inc.
BayCare Health Plans Inc. is a subsidiary of BayCare Health System, a leading not-for-profit health care system with 15 hospitals and hundreds of other locations in the Tampa Bay and central Florida regions. BayCare Health Plans launched its first products, two Medicare Advantage (HMO) plans called BayCarePlus, in October 2018. The plans are available to Medicare-eligible residents of four Florida counties. For more information, visit BayCarePlus.org.

About BayCare Health System
BayCare is a leading not-for-profit health care system that connects individuals and families to a wide range of services at 15 hospitals and hundreds of other convenient locations throughout the Tampa Bay and central Florida regions. Inpatient and outpatient services include acute care, primary care, imaging, laboratory, behavioral health, home care, and wellness. Our mission is to improve the health of all we serve through community-owned, health care services that set the standard for high-quality, compassionate care. For more information, visit www.BayCare.org.