Aerie and COVID-19

The health and safety of our Aerie Aerospace employees, as well as our customers with whom we have contact, are paramount during this time.  We will post important information regarding the COVID-19 coronavirus, as well as any relevant flu virus info, on this page as it becomes available.

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Aerie Aerospace employees should contact their supervisor for work instructions and time charge information. Please monitor Company notification systems for additional information.  In addition, please bookmark and monitor this page for updates.

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BCBS COVID-19 Coverage and Benefits

As the illness caused by the coronavirus, COVID-19 continues to spread, many are concerned about the possible impacts to themselves and their families.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama is closely monitoring the situation and has prepared contingency plans to ensure business operations continue to run smoothly in the event of a widespread outbreak. While these steps may not be necessary, these plans include:

  • Continuing to process claims electronically. (Please note that 99% of claims are processed electronically, so BCBS does not anticipate any disruption to claims processing.)
  • Heavily utilizing telework to maintain staffing of critical business areas. BCBS expanded their telework capabilities, and currently have almost 100% of the workforce working from home.

In addition, Blue Cross has taken the following steps for benefits related to COVID-19:

  • Telehealth services are available to all members beginning March 16, 2020. Telehealth allows in-network PPO providers to provide medically necessary services to members that can be appropriately delivered via telephone consultation. This is applicable for members who wish to receive their care remotely and wish to limit their exposure. It can also serve as an initial screening for members who need to be tested for COVID-19.
  • In-network diagnostic tests for COVID-19 will be covered at 100% with no member cost sharing. Out-of-network diagnostic tests for COVID-19 will be covered at the out-of-network benefit level.
  • If an in-network office visit, urgent care visit, emergency room visit, behavioral health visit, or telehealth service results in a claim being filed by the in-network PPO provider with a COVID-19 related diagnosis as outlined by the CDC and American Medical Association, that office visit, urgent care visit, emergency room visit, behavioral health visit, or telehealth service will be covered at 100% with no member cost sharing. Out-of-network services will be covered at the out-of-network benefit level.
  • More than one in-network office visit, urgent care visit, emergency room visit, behavioral health visit, or telehealth service for the same member incurred on the same day will be covered if the urgent care visit, emergency room visit, behavioral health visit, or telehealth service is rendered by different in-network PPO providers and the claims are filed with a COVID-19 related diagnosis as outlined by the CDC and American Medical Association.
  • Inpatient deductibles and copays will be waived if a member is admitted to an in-network hospital with a COVID-19 related diagnosis as outlined by the CDC and American Medical Association.



BCBS Expands Telehealth Coverage

Birmingham, AL –Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama wants our customers to have peace of mind knowing we are here for them, and their health and well-being is our top priority. We continue to monitor the outbreak of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) in Alabama. In response, Blue Cross will expand telehealth to ease access to appropriate medical services for our customers.

Effective March 16, 2020, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama is expanding telehealth coverage. This expansion allows physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and behavioral health practitioners to provide medically necessary services via telephone consultation.

Telehealth gives our customers the option to receive their care remotely to limit their exposure to COVID-19 and other illnesses. It can also serve as an initial screening for patients who may need testing for the coronavirus. For guidance on coronavirus testing, please refer to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and the Alabama Department of Public Health websites.

Telehealth is appropriate for consultations and visits for low complexity or routine health conditions. It is also used for ongoing health evaluations and care management. This includes acute illnesses or chronic disease management that, based on the provider’s medical judgment, can be managed over the phone.

Customers can check with their physicians to see if they participate in Telehealth. This service is available when an in-network provider is used.

If members have questions, they can call the customer service number located on the back of their ID card. For the latest on COVID-19 developments, please visit the CDC’s website.



Beware COVID-19 Cyber Scams

Courtesy US Army Criminal Investigation Command (Read the full article at: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/365192/cid-encourages-vigilance-prevent-covid-19-cyber-scams) During this time of heightened awareness and protection against potential health risks associated with COVID-19, there is also an increased risk in scam methods used by cybercriminals.

The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command warns the Army community that some phishing campaigns prey on would-be victims’ fear, while others capitalize on the opportunity created by hot topics in the news cycle. The COVID-19 Pandemic presents cybercriminals with a way to combine both into a dangerous one-two punch.

Most recently, the Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 interactive map has been hacked by cybercriminals. The hackers are selling copies of the interactive map as a malware tool used to steal passwords and user data.

A significant number of additional coronavirus-related domains have been registered. CID officials warn users to not open attachments or links in emails coming from such domains.

Below is a list of websites that have recently shown signs of malicious behavior detected by anti-virus software:
coronavirusstatus.space
coronavirus-map.com
blogcoronacl.canalcero.digital
coronavirus.zone
coronavirus-realtime.com
coronavirus.app
bgvfr.coronavirusaware.xyz
coronavirusaware.xyz



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METTS Covid-19 Travel Policy

METTS COVID TRAVEL POLICY To help minimize the spread of COVID-19 the following guidelines are effective immediately and will be in effect until revoked. All of the following travel may result in required self-quarantine prior to returning to work. The need and duration for self-quarantine will be determined by your manager in consultation with Aerie HR. Aerie will continue to evaluate and adjust this policy as needed. Failure to follow these restrictions or report travel of any nature described in this policy may be cause for employment termination. BUSINESS TRAVEL • Under MSFC Response Framework, MSFC is currently under Stage 4 conditions and all business travel is suspended. For additional information on travel see MSFC Response Framework found on Explornet. DOMESTIC TRAVEL COVID-19 cases have been reported in all 50 states and per the CDC, travel increases your chances of getting infected and spreading the disease. While operating under a Safer at Home order, domestic travel is not prohibited, but precautionary measures should be applied when traveling away from your local community. Employees considering traveling domestically are highly encouraged to refer to the CDC website for travel guidance. Upon your return to work the following may apply: • Appropriate personal protective equipment/face covering is expected, in accordance with NASA/MSFC policies. • Upon return from domestic travel if an employee, immediate family member or someone you may have come in close proximity with becomes symptomatic, please follow CDC guidelines and notify your supervisor immediately. The supervisor will be responsible for notifying the department manager. The department manager along with Aerie HR will evaluate the situation and the employee must conduct a 14-day self-observation period to monitor for symptoms. • If the returning employee has tested positive for COVID-19 they must notify their supervisor as soon as possible. The department manager along with Aerie HR will evaluate the situation and the employee must self-quarantine for 14 days. • Employees will be required to use their Personal Time Off (PTO) or Leave Without Pay (LWOP) while quarantined if they are unable to effectively telework during quarantine. Notify your manager before you travel so that appropriate staffing strategies can be developed. If limited or no telework is available to you PTO or LWOP must be used to account for your time. The COVID safety leave code may not be used during the self-quarantined period to account for your time. • If the returning employee tests negative, he or she may be allowed to return to work earlier. • Returning employees may also be required to provide medical certification that they are cleared to return to work; we will notify you of any requirements. • This information will be tracked by Aerie HR and kept separately from personnel records and names will not be released. INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL As a precaution, to ensure the health of our employees, we strongly encourage you to avoid any personal travel outside of the United States during this time. As of March 15, the Department of State has issued a Global Level 3 Health Advisory, advising U.S. citizens to reconsider ALL travel abroad due to the global impact of COVID-19. The CDC has placed the following countries under a Level 2 or 3 Travel Health Notice as of March 9: China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, and Italy. Everyone is responsible for checking the CDC website to see if their travel destination has been added to this list: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019- ncov/travelers/index.html • Employees or immediate family members who travel to or through (even if you do not get off the aircraft) a restricted country, must notify your supervisor and of your specific travel plans and you will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days upon your return to the US. • Employees must report any travel on commercial air, train, or motor/bus carriers. • Employees who have traveled from a country, a cruise, or place with a known community outbreak, even if they are not identified as being under a Level 2 or 3 Travel Health Notice, must contact the Department Manager for clearance prior to returning to work. • Employees will be required to use their Personal Time Off (PTO) or Leave Without Pay (LWOP) while quarantined if they are unable to effectively telework during quarantine. Notify your manager before you travel so that appropriate staffing strategies can be developed. If limited or no telework is available to you, PTO or LWOP must be used to account for your time. The COVID safety leave code may not be used during the self-quarantined period to account for your time. • Contact your manager upon your return to receive authorization to return to work. • Contact HR upon your return and prior to returning to work from a high-risk country for self-monitoring instructions. • This information will be tracked by Aerie HR and kept separately from personnel records and names will not be released. As the situation is evolving, we encourage you to take proactive measures as they are important to protect your health and the health of your families and coworkers. We discourage travel among affected regions of the country to help prevent the spread of the virus. All travel will continue to be reviewed and approved on a case by case basis. We will re-evaluate this policy as the situation continues to change.