To combat the spread of the coronavirus and support its statewide community, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama (BCBSAL) is making donations and working with community partners.

BCBSAL has joined with state and local officials, the Alabama Department of Public Health, the Alabama Hospital Association, the Medical Association of the State of Alabama and Alabama Medicaid Agency to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.  

The insurer has also provided over $700,000 to date across Alabama to address food scarcity, provide small business loans, donate personal protective equipment and meals to healthcare workers and more. BCBSAL has also initiated a series of grants totaling over $700,000 to support food scarcity, small business loans, personal protective equipment and meals for healthcare workers, and other relief efforts across the state.  In addition, BCBSAL has supported waiving prior authorization, waiving member cost sharing, and expanding access to telehealth and mental health care.

OVERVIEW OF RESPONSE EFFORTS

The Plan has provided over $700,000 in grant funding to a number of community partners including:  

  • $200,000 to United Way for Meals-On-Wheels support for 3 weeks of seniors’ meals.
  • $250,000 to Birmingham Strong – Public, Private, Civic collaboration to support individuals and small businesses affected by coronavirus.
  • $50,000 Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville – COVID-19 relief efforts
  • $25,000 American Red Cross – blood collection & disaster relief efforts
  • $25,000 Alabama Food Bank Association – food for state food banks
  • $25,000 Walker Area Community Foundation – COVID-19 and disaster relief efforts
  • $25,000 YMCA Greater Birmingham – child care for healthcare workers
  • $15,000 Women’s Fund Rapid Operating And Relief – child care centers support
  • $15,000 Alabama Media Group – thank you note campaign for 1st responders & healthcare workers
  • $15,000 The Foundry Ministries – addiction, rescue, re-entry, and recovery programs
  • $15,000 Main Street Alabama – economic recovery resource teams for small towns
  • $10,000 HAAPI Health – health screenings, telehealth, mental & primary care
  • $5,000 Bundles of Hope – diaper bank
  • $5,000 Grace Klein Ministries – food delivery and assistance
  • $5,000 Advancing Sight Network – enhanced lab safety for eye transplants
  • $5,000 Three Hots and a Cot – homeless veteran’s assistance programs
  • $5,000 Trinity United Methodist Church – financial assistance housing/utilities
  • $3,565 Meals for Healthcare Workers – in area hospitals
  • $2,500 Faith in Communities – emergency & support services for low income
  • Allowing already disbursed funding for events that have been cancelled to be repurposed to help non-profits deal with needs in their community.
     

BCBSAL is also supporting its community with a crisis hotline open to the public and available 24/7 through our behavioral health partner, New Directions. Those experiencing distress or anxiety can call the crisis hotline at 1-833-848-1764 to speak to a licensed therapist.

Learn more about BCBSAL's efforts here. 

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama is a licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independently, locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies.

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is an association of 35 independent, locally operated Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield companies.