Alerts and Announcements

Stay informed with the latest Medicare alerts and announcements from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas.

06/22/2022

Beginning June 24, 2022, AllianceRx Walgreens Prime prescription home delivery service will change its name and logo to Alliance Walgreens Pharmacy.

• This is solely a name change. There will be no changes in services (including customer service phone numbers), terms or conditions.
• AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy has been communicating this change to members in their prescription shipments.
• Existing printed materials in Medicare Advantage and PDP Welcome Kits can still be used with the former name; however, all new materials printed for 2023 will reflect the new name.

04/06/2022

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced on Apr. 4 that beneficiaries with Medicare Part B, including those enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, now have access to FDA-approved COVID-19 tests at no cost. Medicare members may be asked to present their red, white and blue Medicare identification card to get their free OTC COVID-19 tests. Each person with Medicare Part B can get up to eight free OTC tests each month, until the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. The link above also lists participating pharmacies.

01/24/2022

The Biden Administration recently announced that the cost of FDA-approved COVID-19 over-the-counter testing kits would be covered by private health insurers. This order excludes Medicare beneficiaries at this time, however, there are no-cost options for COVID-19 testing for our Medicare members:

• COVID-19 tests ordered by a health care professional continue to be covered at no cost under your medical benefits.
• You may request free Over-the-Counter COVID-19 tests through the federal government's site.

02/24/2021

Due to recent delays in the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) mail delivery, some communications from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) may not reach you as quickly as usual. This includes premium payment notices, member ID cards, explanations of benefits and other benefit materials. 

We are aware of these delays and apologize for the inconvenience. To prevent any break in benefits:

• You can pay your premium by phone. Call the Customer Service number listed on your BCBSTX member ID card for help paying your premium. 

• You can print a new member ID card, review your explanation of benefits and other coverage information by logging into your Blue Access for Members^SM (BAM^SM) account online or by using the mobile app.

10/01/2020

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re lending electronic tablets to Blue Cross Medicare Advantage^SM members who meet program qualifications. Members can use the tablet to schedule telehealth visits with their doctors and to access plan benefits. For more information, call customer service at the number on your member ID card.

05/04/2020

If you are losing or have lost your health care coverage during these uncertain times, we are here to help. Learn more about Medicare Special Enrollment Periods.