Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan said Friday healthcare claims are returning to the same level they were before COVID-19 started to hit people and health care organizations in March.
On March 21, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered most nonessential healthcare services be delayed or postponed over concerns that insufficient resources were available in personal protective equipment and hospital beds. Hospitals, doctors, dentists and other healthcare providers lost millions of dollars and people delayed necessary care.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a significant disruption in the delivery of healthcare services across Michigan and throughout the nation," said Daniel Loepp, Blue Cross' CEO, in a statement.
"Blue Cross responded by supporting our partners in the healthcare ecosystem with an uninterrupted stream of claims payments, advancing incentive program payouts to sustain providers, enabling physicians to consult with patients in new ways via telemedicine, and by refunding nearly $100 million to many fully insured customers," Loepp said. "Our health care economy is showing signs of resuming a more normal footing, and while there still may be volatility in the months ahead, we are pleased our members are able and feel more comfortable to get the care they need."
Over the past several weeks, Blue Cross said it seeing a steady increase in weekly and monthly healthcare claims that suggests people are resuming elective procedures delayed by concerns over COVID-19.
Blue Cross and Blue Care Network said healthcare claims submissions have steadily risen by an average of 5 percent to 7 percent per week and are currently running at or above historical levels. The data shows some services are above historical levels in many market segments, including inpatient hospital admissions, specialty prescription drugs and behavioral health.
