Results for Understanding Insurance

  • Need an Explanation of Your Explanation of Benefits?

    You’ve been to the doctor and paid your copay. How are you going to know when your claim is filed and finalized? Simple — you'll get your Explanation of Benefits (EOB). Your EOB will break down the services you received, the co...
    • 107726 Views

  • Compare Health Care Costs

    Many of us compare prices before we buy a product or service. It’s one of the best ways to be an informed consumer. But we might not think about comparing prices when it comes to our health care benefits. And that’s a missed opport...
    • 92374 Views

  • What Is a Health Insurance Claim?

    We’ve all done it. Shown or uploaded our member ID card when filling out insurance forms in the doctor’s office or through an online portal. Your doctor’s office needs these details so they can file a claim. A claim is a bill your d...
    • 18577 Views

  • What to Do if Your Claim Is Not Approved

    Nurse care manager Lenzy Mixon got a call from a member about a large bill he received for a stay at a skilled nursing facility. He checked with his doctor, who assured him the stay had been pre-approved by his health plan. His next call was to us...
    • 33520 Views

  • Traveler’s Checklist: Protect Your Health While You Travel

    Vacation sounds good right about now. And whatever kind of vacation you like, there’s one thing that makes it go better – planning. Planning helps your road trip skip the bumps in the road. Planning helps you avoid turbulence, even once y...
    • 22974 Views

  • Insurance Basics: Copay vs. Coinsurance

    While premiums go toward the total cost of the care you receive, health care costs add up to more than your premiums cover. To keep premiums lower, plans typically have a deductible that you pay if you get care. A deductible is the amount you have...
    • 48497 Views

  • What You Need to Know About Subrogation

    Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is always on the lookout for ways to help control the rising costs of health care. It’s important that we do so for our members — and our company. So, from time to time, we may look a little bit more...
    • 2610 Views

  • How Prior Authorization Helps

    Prior Authorization helps make sure prescription medicines are being used safely, as intended and at the best cost. Only a handful of drugs need prior authorization, also called pre-approval. Those are often the ones that cost the most or the ones...
    • 349 Views

  • What Is the Premium Tax Credit for Health Insurance?

    A premium tax credit is a form of financial assistance. It helps with the cost of buying health insurance. Before you enroll in a new plan, check to see if you qualify for a tax credit. Who is Eligible? Premium tax credits are for individuals and...
    • 10475 Views

  • Your Prescription Wasn’t Covered. Here’s What You and Your Doctor Can Do

    You need a new drug and find your prescription isn’t covered. Or you’ve taken a drug in the past and find it’s no longer covered. Find out why meds may not be covered, and what you can do next. Health plans cover a wide range of med...
    • 698 Views

  • Enrolled for 2024? Here’s What to Expect Next

    This article is intended for members enrolled in an individual health insurance plan. When you enrolled in your 2024 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) health plan, you started a chain reaction.* We have been hard at work for several...
    • 19076 Views

  • Why Does a Drug Need Pre-Approval?

    Some drugs must be approved by your health plan before they will be covered. That’s to make sure they are safe and used right. If you are told a drug needs pre-approval (sometimes called prior authorization), that does not mean it isn’t c...
    • 574 Views

  • 5 Reasons a Claim May Be Denied

    Believe it or not, there are only a handful of reasons that may lead to a health care service not getting approved or a claim not being paid. They fall into these five buckets. The claim has errors. Minor data errors are the most common culprit....
    • 18490 Views

  • 5 Things to Know About a PPO

    When it comes to health insurance, understanding all your options can be confusing. There are a lot of choices. It may be hard to know which health plan is best for you and your budget. Many Americans get health insurance through their employers...
    • 14085 Views

  • Your Password to Privacy: Standard Authorization Form

    At one time or another, a member of your family has probably been in the hospital. You may have called the hospital to see how they were doing. It wasn’t so long ago that a nurse would ask your relationship to the patient, then offer info about....
    • 9121 Views

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