NEEDLESTICK COVERAGE

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Needlestick coverage provides for the testing and prophylactic treatment of blood-borne diseases following at-risk contact with blood or other body fluids from human or animal sources. This contact may include but is not limited to needlesticks. Needlestick coverage is required for all students and both the coverage and the premium are independent from medical coverage. Students will be assessed for needlestick coverage when enrolling for medical coverage through BCBSLA or when showing proof of coverage through another insurance plan.

The needlestick benefit will cover 100% of the BCBSLA allowable charges as seen in the table below.¹ The needlestick benefit includes a three day supply of prophylaxis drugs to be prescribed when a student has experienced a needlestick. The BCBSLA Needlestick ID Card that students receive includes information necessary to process pharmacy claims in the event of a needlestick. In the event of a needlestick injury, follow the procedures detailed here. 

• When filling a prescription not related to a needlestick injury and the prescription is denied, students should ensure that the BCBSLA Needlestick Coverage is not being processed as their primary insurance.  If the BCBSLA Needlestick Coverage is being processed as the student's primary insurance, the student should have the pharmacy run the BCBSLA Needlestick ID Card and deny the charge and then run the prescription with their Medicaid card or other private insurance card.

This benefit plan does not cover any inpatient admission, additional or follow-up testing, or treatment not specific to needlesticks, antiviral or antibiotic treatments, or pharmacy benefits outside of those specifically listed in the table below. 

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¹ According to the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana Schedule of Benefits, the only claims eligible for 100% coverage are claims submitted with ICD-10 Codes W46.1XXA, W46.1XXD, W46.1XXS, Z57.8 and Z77.21 regardless of the place of treatment.