School Based Grants

TIMELINE

Grant applications will be accepted no later than 5:00 p.m. on September 30, 2022. Successful applicants will be notified by October 31, 2022.

REPORTING

Awardees must submit a Project Report to the BCBSWY Caring Foundation no later than May 15, 2023.

CONTACT

If you have questions about the grant, please email connect@bcbswy.com

Blue Cares Sponsorship Request

Sponsorship Criteria

BCBSWY receives many requests for support from various community groups and organizations. We do our best to match our limited discretionary funds with programs and community events that align with our mission. When deciding to apply for a sponsorship, please review the following information.

Sponsorship proposals are reviewed regularly based on the following criteria:

  • Aligns with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming’s mission to help Wyoming citizens receive and pay for the health care they need
  • Helps children live healthier lives
  • Supports improved health and wellness
  • Reaches communities across Wyoming
  • Availability of budget

Sponsorship level is determined on the following criteria:

  • Tangible benefits associated with the partnership
  • Opportunity to create long-term value
  • Ability to reach targeted audiences
  • Positive exposure for BCBSWY

Sponsorship priority will be given to the following (but not limited to):

  • Health and wellness events
  • Youth related events & activities
  • Community non-profit organizations
  • Logo items/giveaways & gift baskets
  • Employee requests

Sponsorships for national organizations must focus on a local or regional event. Contributions may include staff time and other non-financial resources for projects and activities that support our giving priorities through our Blue Cares Committee.

Thank you for considering Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming for this opportunity.

Blue Cares Volunteer Request

February 2nd, 2022 — BCBSWY closely monitors COVID-19 developments and how the virus could impact our customers and provider partners. Here’s the latest information – be sure to check back frequently for updates.

Provider Covid-19 Updates: 

COVID-19 Reimbursement Vaccine Codes: 

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming welcomes the arrival of safe and effective vaccines as a critical component in the national and local COVID-19 response. BCBSWY will waive all cost-sharing for any fees charged to administer the vaccines.   

Screening for COVID-19 Diagnosis Guidance:

Asymptomatic and pre-surgical COVID-19 diagnostic testing is covered when medically appropriate and supported by the accepted standards of current medical practice. To ensure proper reimbursement for COVID-19 diagnostic tests, please follow the guidelines set out in the diagnostic guide.

COVID-19 Test Billing Guidance:

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the FFCRA) and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act) require health plans to cover diagnostic testing of COVID-19. Coverage must be provided without any cost-share, prior authorization, or medical management requirements. The table provided in the billing guide will help to understand which billing codes are appropriate for these services.

Telemedicine Services: 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Place of Service Workgroup has approved two changes for the National Place of Service (POS) code related to telemedicine services.

Telemedicine Services Matrix: 

Effective Feb. 17, 2022, BCBSWY has updated our telemedicine guidance. BCBSWY will permit telephonic and telemedicine visits to occur to the patient’s home.

COVID-19 Cost-Share Waiver:

BCBSWY is discontinuing the member cost share for COVID-19 treatment effective 1/1/22. Member cost-share will apply for inpatient hospital stays beginning in 2022, even if admission was in 2021.

Over-The-Counter At-Home Covid-19 Tests Update:   

The Biden administration on Jan.10 announced that starting Jan.15, 2022, commercial insurance companies and group health plans will be required to provide coverage for authorized over-the-counter (OTC) COVID at-home testing products at a $0 cost-share for members for up to eight individual tests per member each month.

Over-The-Counter Pharmacist Update:

Find the most updated information on OTC at-home tests and what tests are covered for timely and accurate claims processing.

Information for Health Professionals: 

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention offers a wealth of resources and tools surrounding the importance of vaccination. 

Covid-19 Vaccination Resources from the CDC:

COVID-19 Booster Shot Eligibility
COVID-19 Vaccination Program Provider Requirements and Support
COVID-19 Vaccine Data Systems
COVID-19 Vaccines Strategy

For More Information on Covid-19 Visit the CDC Website.

Provided guidance from the CDC FAQ.

 

Continuing to support family, friends and neighbors. Together, we’ll keep Wyoming strong.

 

OVER-THE-COUNTER COVID-19 TESTS

Table of Contents
What is required for COVID-19 home test coverage?

The Biden administration on Jan. 10 announced that starting Jan. 15, 2022, commercial insurance companies and group health plans will be required to provide coverage for authorized over-the-counter (OTC) COVID at-home testing products at a $0 cost share for members for up to eight individual tests per member each month if purchased at a participating pharmacy. Reimbursement for COVID test kits is not required if used for employment purposes. CMS communicated this through an FAQ from federal regulators.  As described by the federal government, these tests are self-administered and self-read at home or elsewhere without the involvement of a health care provider.

How do I get a free at-home OTC COVID-19 test?

Starting January 15, BCBSWY members can go online or to a pharmacy or store to purchase an at-home over-the-counter COVID-19 diagnostic test authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), either through reimbursement or free of charge through an in-network pharmacy location.

BCBSWY highly encourages members to purchase a test directly from an in-network pharmacy counter to ensure the claim will be filed electronically. You will need to be prepared to show your BCBSWY member ID card.

You can find an in-network pharmacy here.

NOTE: tests purchased off the shelf or from a non-pharmacy provider or retailer will require members to submit a paper claim for reimbursement.  

What if I go to an out-of-network pharmacy or online retailer?

You can still obtain tests from out-of-network pharmacies or other retailers and submit a form for reimbursement. You will need your receipt and the NDC/UPC code (each approved brand has a specific “NDC/UPC” code). The maximum reimbursement allowance is $12 per test. Any costs above $12 will be out-of-pocket. 

Use the Prescription Drug Claim form, which can be found under “Member Forms” or you can find the form here.

Members will need to submit the NDC/UPC code from the test and attest that COVID-19 home test kits will not be used for required employment testing or resale. 

What if my physician gives me an at-home test?

If your doctor gives you an OTC at-home test, you will need to pay for the test at the doctor’s office and submit a paper claim to BCBSWY for reimbursement. If your doctor’s office submits the claim on your behalf, it will be denied. BCBSWY will cover doctor-ordered lab tests.

Do I need a prescription to receive a free over-the-counter COVID-19 test?

No, you do not need a prescription for the over-the-counter COVID-19 test.

Where do I find an in-network pharmacy?

You can find an in-network pharmacy here.

Will retail pharmacies be able to ship COVID home test kits?

Yes, all pharmacies will be able to ship COVID home test kits to members, including retail pharmacies, retailers, and online retailers, subject to availability.

What if I already bought and paid for an at home OTC COVID-19 test? Can I still be reimbursed?

BCBSWY will only cover at-home over-the-counter COVID-19 tests purchased on or after January 15, 2022, not to exceed $12 per test.

What if I buy more than one test at a time?

BCBSWY will cover eight tests every 30 days for each individual on the plan, regardless of whether the tests are bought at once or at separate times throughout the 30-day cycle.

Which tests are FDA approved?

The following tests are currently approved at home OTC COVID-19 tests. We expect the FDA to authorize several more tests in the coming weeks.

How will BCBSWY handle claim submissions for other COVID tests not on the list above?

The above list is intended to cover COVID-19 home antigen test kits that are available without a prescription and do not require a lab to read the results.  Because molecular products mostly require a prescription and are lab-based tests, BCBSWY considers them a medical benefit. Claims will deny coverage for tests not on Prime’s list of covered test kits.

NOTE: We anticipate covered test kits may change or be expanded in the future as more tests are approved, or more guidance is issued.

Why are some COVID-19 tests at home and self-read not on the approved list? 

Tests on the above list are included if used at home, with results read at-home and do not require a prescription order or to be read by a medical lab.  If ordered by a physician, at-home tests sent to a lab to be processed are considered a covered medical benefit.  

How are test kits billed, per test or per box?

Each of the test kits is billed per test.  If there are two tests in a box, and the allowed cost is $12 per test, the product cost is $24.

Note: Claims submitted for kits including multiple tests can only be processed per person on a health plan, not split between household members covered by the same health plan. 

How many tests can I get reimbursed for?

BCBSWY will cover eight individual at-home over-the-counter COVID-19 tests per person enrolled in the plan per month. Note, tests may be packaged individually or with multiple tests in one package (for example, two tests packaged in one box). BCBSWY will cover eight tests every 30 days, regardless of packaging. There is generally no limit on the number of COVID-19 diagnostic tests that must be covered when ordered or administered by a health care provider.

My employer requires that I test myself multiple times per week and send them the results as a condition of employment. Can I get these tests reimbursed by insurance?

No, for employment purposes BCBSWY will not cover COVID-19 tests, including at-home OTC tests. 

Free OTC COVID-19 Tests for Medicare Beneficiaries

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it will cover over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 tests for Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Part B beneficiaries at no cost, mirroring the coverage required of commercial health plans that went into effect in January. MA plans are not responsible for the costs of these tests. The program is funded by CMS and will continue until the end of the public health emergency.

Beneficiaries may obtain up to eight free tests per month from participating health care providers and national pharmacy chains, such as CVS and Walgreens. Products must have been approved, authorized or cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The program details are outlined in a fact sheet from CMS.

The announcement marks the first time Medicare has covered an OTC product at zero cost to beneficiaries and brings free access to these critical tests to more than 59 million Americans. To receive the free tests, beneficiaries should bring their red, white and blue Medicare card, rather than their MA insurance card, to a participating provider or pharmacy.

BCBSA has been supportive of CMS ensuring equitable access to these products for Medicare beneficiaries.

 

Federal Employee Program (FEP) FAQ 
 
How many at-home OTC COVID-19 can I get covered as a member of FEP?

FEP will reimburse up to eight over-the-counter COVID-19 tests per member on a contract per calendar month. Once you reach the limit of eight tests per member per calendar month, FEP will not reimburse for additional tests.

How do I get a OTC COVID-19 test?

Go to an in-network retail pharmacy and purchase the kits at the pharmacy counter. Provide your member ID card to the pharmacist and you’ll pay no out-of-pocket cost. To find an in-network pharmacy, click here.

OTC tests can also be purchased at retail locations, not to exceed $12 for a single test. If purchased from a retail location, FEP members will need to complete a Health Benefits Claim form for reimbursement.

How do I get reimbursed if I purchase a test from a retail location?

Complete a Health Benefits Claim Form and mail it to BCBSWY:   

                         BCBSWY

                        4000 House Avenue

                        PO Box 2266

                        Cheyenne, WY 82003

It must include the original receipt or a copy of the receipt for purchasing the tests. You can submit any number of receipts on a single claim form.

You must submit a separate claim form for each covered family member.

When can I expect to be reimbursed?

After your claim is processed, the contract holder will receive a reimbursement check by mail. Claims are generally processed within 30 days of receiving your completed claim form and receipts.

Find more information on FEP over-the-counter test policies here.

Please continue to watch for updates here, in our Newsroom, and on our Facebook page.
For benefit coverage information related to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), please reference our News Release.

For additional information about COVID-19 (Coronavirus), visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

Thank you for your patience, we are #WyomingTogether.

Vaccines are available across Wyoming.

The COVID-19 vaccine is now widely available for most eligible people (ages 5 and up). To learn where to get it and how to sign up for an appointment in your area, view your county’s vaccination plan

For more information on the COVID-19 boosters refer to the CDC website.

The best protection from COVID-19 and its emerging variants is to be fully vaccinated. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other agencies continue to use science and current available data to provide guidance on getting the COVID-19 vaccine. 

This includes the approved vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. Speak with your health care provider, such as your doctor or pharmacist, to make sure you are fully vaccinated and have the latest information to protect yourself and others.  

Understand the effectiveness, possible side effects, and safety of the vaccine.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has answers to your most common questions on the CDC website, including the measures taken by the FDA to ensure vaccine safety. For more information and videos, visit the Wyoming Department of Health website.

You’ll pay nothing.

The vaccine is provided free of charge under the federal CARES Act. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming will waive all costs for fees charged to administer the vaccine.

Fully vaccinated individuals can resume activities without a mask.

According to the CDC, you are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after your second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine and two weeks after your single dose of the J&J/Janssen vaccine. Until you are fully vaccinated, continue wearing your mask, keep at least six feet away from others, and wash your hands often. For more information on wearing a mask follow the CDC guidelines on steps everyone can take to make gatherings safer. Learn more on how to improve how wearing a mask can protect you.

Don’t let your guard down.

Even after you get your vaccine or booster, continue monitoring your health for symptoms of COVID-19.  The vaccine is not 100% effective at keeping you from getting COVID-19, however studies show it will help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do get it.

Over-The-Counter At-HomeCovid-19 Tests

The Biden administration on Jan. 10 announced that starting Jan. 15, 2022, commercial insurance companies and group health plans will be required to provide coverage for authorized over-the-counter (OTC) COVID at-home testing products at a $0 cost share for members for up to eight individual tests per member each month if purchased at a participating pharmacy.  As described by the federal government, these tests are self-administered and self-read at home or elsewhere without the involvement of a health care provider.

For More Information on Covid-19 Visit the CDC Website.

Provided guidance from the CDC FAQ.

 

Continuing to support family, friends and neighbors.  Together, we’ll keep Wyoming strong.

 

School Based Grants

OBJECTIVE

This grant award aims to support social-emotional learning programs that help children & adolescents understand and manage emotions, set and work towards positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, form and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.

ELIGIBILTY

Any public or non-profit private school located in Wyoming whose goal aligns with the objective of this grant.

FUNDING AVAILABLE

For the Fall 2022 grant cycle, individual grants will be awarded from $500- $5000.

GRANT CRITERIA

Awardees can use grant money to support the instruction of social-emotional learning. It can include age-appropriate books for school and classroom libraries, social-emotional curriculums, lesson plans, worksheets, digital assets such as videos/games, supplies to support hands-on SEL activities, and digital tools such as student surveys to help identify at-risk students, staff development and SEL training for educators. The Caring Foundation will also consider support for substance abuse and suicide prevention programs and initiatives.

Select “Apply” below to complete the application.

TIMELINE

Grant applications will be accepted no later than 5:00 p.m. on September 30, 2022. Successful applicants will be notified by October 31, 2022.

REPORTING

Awardees must submit a Project Report to the BCBSWY Caring Foundation no later than May 15, 2023.

CONTACT

If you have questions about the grant, please email connect@bcbswy.com.

 

Rural Workforce Scholarship Fund

Nurse Taking Blood Pressure

Thank you!

Meet our UW DNP Scholars

The Caring Foundation has been supporting student scholarships for nearly 30 years, established in 1993, with our Health Professions scholarships at all seven Wyoming community colleges. 
The Health Professions scholarships provide a $1,000 scholarship annually ($500 per semester) to a student seeking a degree in a health profession at each community college and the University of Wyoming. 
 
 

In 2016, we expanded our scholarship program. With the nationwide shortage of nurses, and through conversations with our hospital partners, the Caring Foundation recognized that Wyoming hospitals have a unique need when it comes to recruiting and hiring nurses, particularly in rural settings. Therefore, the Foundation saw nursing education as an area where it can help strengthen Wyoming’s rural hospital system.

This expansion included two scholarship programs offered through the University of Wyoming. 

  •      The ReNew Scholarship program–is a program in partnership with all seven community colleges in Wyoming and allows students to enroll in BSN coursework through UW simultaneously with their Associate Degree in Nursing. This program structure allows students to reside in their local community, while working toward a nursing degree. The Caring Foundation is proud to fund seven $1,000 scholarships annually.
  • The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program–this program is an advanced nursing degree and offers two tracts: family nurse practitioner (FNP) and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP). Both clinical concentrations prepare students for careers in rural health care. The Caring Foundation is proud to fund five $10,000 scholarships annually.

In 2020, we expanded our scholarship opportunities to include an Inclusive Scholarship for an Indian American student at Central Wyoming Community College. This $5,000 annual scholarship is a full-tuition scholarship for a student working toward a degree with a focus on a health profession.

All scholarships are awarded through each school’s scholarship process. For more information on how to apply, contact your local scholarship office. 

Boys & Girls Club HealthY Habits

The Caring Foundation has been supporting the Healthy Habits program at each Boys and Girls Club in Wyoming since 2015.

Healthy Habits provides the youth of Wyoming the building blocks for a balanced diet and allows them to emerge as strong, healthy young adults. The program provides age-appropriate skill building activities that cover a range of topics including:

  •          Goal-setting and meal planning
  •          Managing an appropriate food intake
  •          Selecting health-supporting food
  •          Interacting with others through food
  •          Physical Activity

In addition, Healthy Habits addresses social, cognitive, and emotional factors that influence a young person’s desire to eat well, and intentionally includes opportunities for youth to improve access to healthy food in their community.

7-year-old Kaiah went home from Club after a Healthy Habits lesson and told her mom that “From now on, please put mostly vegetables on my plate. That’s how I stay healthy.” – Central Wyoming Boys & Girls Club staff member

In 2020, The Healthy Habits grant provided 47,525 snacks

and 29,961 meals to kids across Wyoming.

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