What To Know About ID Cards
Jan. 5, 2023
Some of the most common questions members ask BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina’s customer service team centers around ID cards.
When you see a doctor, go to the hospital or fill a prescription, you’ll need to show your health plan member ID card. This card helps identify you and your health insurance plan. Every health insurance plan is different, whether you buy it on the marketplace or get it through your employer.
Here are important things everyone should know about their ID cards.
1. Only one person’s name is on the card.
Even if your health plan covers more than one person in your family, only one person’s name will be on the card(s). This is the name of the policyholder or subscriber. Your family members will not need cards with their own names. The doctor’s office knows that the patient’s name may not be the same as the policyholder.
2. You may not get a new card every year.
If the important details for your plan are staying the same, you can keep on using your existing insurance card.
3. Share your new information with your doctors and pharmacies.
BlueCross will automatically send a new card if any important details have changed. Make sure your doctor’s office and pharmacy have your current insurance information on file — the information on the front of your card is critical. If the doctor’s office doesn’t have the most updated information, this could lead to claims being denied.
4. You’ll never lose the card if you download the app.
There are a lot of things the My Health Toolkit® app can do. One of the most important tasks is storing your digital ID card. It is an exact replica of your physical card and will always show the most up-to-date information on your plan. You can also use My Health Toolkit to verify who all is covered on your plan. You can also order new copies of your physical card through the app.
5. Use the phone number on the back of the card.
The phone number on the back of your member ID card is a direct line to the customer service team for your health plan. BlueCross has specialized customer service teams for each health plan. This allows us to serve our members the best we can. Phone numbers you find in web searches may not be the best contact for your plan. Another helpful tip: Save the number in your phone so that you have it when you need it.
The more you know about using your insurance plan, the more empowered you’ll be to take charge of your health care.
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