As you are aware, the novel COVID-19 health event is rapidly evolving, and the ultimate extent and duration of its impact are still largely unknown. At BridgeHealth, the health and safety of our members is foremost in our minds as we monitor and navigate this unchartered territory together. We take seriously our responsibility for all our members, especially those who may currently be planning to travel for elective surgery.

Given the current risks, and with an abundance of caution, we have determined that it is in the best interests of our members, our customers, and the healthcare system as a whole, to re-evaluate our travel policy. As a result, BridgeHealth will be pausing our practice of traveling patients for the next thirty days. We will continue to monitor the situation and adjust as changes and updates warrant.

For those members impacted by this policy, we will be working with each of them on an individual basis with the goal of rescheduling their surgeries for after June 1st. If a member, in consultation and coordination with their surgeon, determines that the benefits of an immediate surgery outweigh the risk associated with travel, we will help facilitate travel for that scheduled surgery on an exception basis with their employer’s approval.

At this time, local surgeries, the majority of which can be conducted in an outpatient setting, will continue as planned. Our quality team is continuing to monitor the situation and are tracking advisories from the CDC and WHO on a daily basis. We will continue to update and adjust our policies and practices to best serve our members and our clients.

If you have any questions or concerns, or if you wish to discuss this further, please reach out to your account manager. Beginning Monday, March 16th, you may also find additional information and updates on our website at www.BridgeHealth.com/news. We will continue to keep you updated as this situation evolves.

In good health,

Jamie Hall, President

BridgeHealth

Sarah Brown

Regional Vice President, Alaska