Georgia Blue Cross Blue Shield
East Coast Health Insurance
“We Believe Health Insurance is A Right Not A Privilege”
Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Georgia has been a stable source of health insurance in the state of Georgia since the 1930’s, offering plans to cover families and individuals for health care, dental, vision, and more.
How about maternity in Georgia? They do cover it however there is a waiting period of one year before you can use it.
The Premier Plan from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia covers maternity for an additonal $148.32. This entitles you to a $3000 total copayment one time for the entire birth. If you ask me this is not enough to justify the $148.32 per month. Why? Because you can contract with the local hospital for the same price by prepaying for the birth.
The other plans actually include some maternity benefits but only after the deductible is satisfied. So in actuality besides the Kaiser Permanente plans the Blue Cross Blue Shield plans are the best for maternity.
At present, BCBS of Georgia provides health care for over 3.3 million Georgia residents.
There are a variety of options for BCBS health care plans, and through “bundling’—that is, choosing to add several different types of coverage within a single plan (vision, dental, health) Georgia residents can find that quality health insurance can be both comprehensive and affordable. BCBS has relationships with the premier health organizations, PPO’s, and hospitals in the state, and most plans provide nationwide access to the well-credentialed Blue Cross network (in the event of health emergencies while traveling, or to ensure care if seeing a specialist in another state).
BCBS of Georgia is also very committed to preventative care and screening; for instance, they have launched a new program, called 360 Health, designed to offer a variety of resources for preventative care (including online health and wellness options), discounts on health-related products and alternative medicine, round-the-clock access to health care support and advice, and highly developed care programs including support for patients with complex issues ranging from asthma to congestive heart failure.
Preventative care includes membership in maternity resource groups, discounts to fitness centers, weight management programs, and more; support includes newsletters, 24/7 on call nursing lines (for questions about your health or your child’s health), and more. It’s just one way that BCBS is trying to make health care manageable and keep Georgians healthy.
BCBS is committed to providing quality care and ensuring member providers meet a high standard with regard to patient care. Through quality checks at hospitals and of medical professionals, BCBS ensures that mistakes are minimized and patients are well-treated. Programs like the Breast Cancer Care Program make it possible for women to have high-touch, comprehensive care and support in fighting this illness. It’s all part of the value proposition that BCBS offers Georgia residents and businesses.
Georgia Blue Cross Blue Shield
This is our Individual health insurance question section for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia.
Member Access
Member Access allows members to manage your health benefits through our secure online member self-service program. We have a variety of secure resources available to active members, to include:
Customer Service
1. How do I get additional information about my plan or benefits?
You can verify your benefits using our on-line service, Member Access. You will need to register for a username and password if you haven’t already done so. You can also call customer service at the number listed on your member ID card from 7:30 AM to 7 PM, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays).
2. How and when can I contact the health plan?
Our friendly, helpful and knowledgeable customer service associates are available to answer your questions from 7:30 AM to 7 PM, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays). Simply call the customer service number listed on your member ID card for assistance, or email us at websupport@bcbsga.com.
3. How do I change my name or address?
To change your address, simply call the customer service number listed on your member ID card. Our customer service associates stand ready to help you with your needs. If you need to change your name, you will need to complete a Member Change form and submit legal documentation as well. Customer service can provide you with the appropriate form.
4. What are your customer service hours?
Our associates are available from 7:30 AM to 7 PM, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays).
5. How do I get a provider directory?
You can search our Provider Directory 24-hours a day, seven-days a week, or you can call customer service and request a printed version be sent to your home or office.
6. How do I get a list of preferred drugs (formulary information)?
A list of the most commonly prescribed formulary drugs is available on our Web site. This list is updated throughout the year. You can also contact our customer service associates to find if a particular drug is included on our formulary. The phone number for customer service is listed on your member ID card.
Enrollment
1. How can I cover my newborn from birth?
First, congratulations on the birth of your baby! To add your child to your health care coverage policy, simply contact your group administrator or customer service within the first 31 days after your baby’s birth. If you do not add your baby within the first 31 days, you will have to wait until your company’s next open enrollment period. To complete your newborn’s enrollment, you will need to complete a member change form.
2. How do I obtain coverage for my newly adopted child?
All you need to do is contact your group administrator or customer service within the first 31 days of the official adoption date. If you do not add your baby within the first 31 days, you will have to wait until your company’s next open enrollment period. Legal documentation of the adoption will be required to complete your new child’s enrollment.
3. How do I add or delete family members?
Please contact your group administrator or call customer service at the number listed on your member ID card. You will need to complete a member change form to add or delete dependents.
4. Can I cover a dependent who lives out of-state or my child away at school?
Your unmarried child is covered while in college, provided that he or she is enrolled as a full-time student and is age 25 or younger whether living out-of-state or not.
Access the information through www.bcbs.com, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association’s Web site. Simply click on the BlueCard Doctor & Hospital Finder hotlink and complete the requested information to locate a PPO or participating provider as close as five miles from the location. You can also call BlueCard Provider Access toll-free at 800 810 BLUE
5. How often can I change benefit plans?
You can change your existing benefit plan as often as you like. There are different steps involved in changing your plan depending on if you are upgrading or downgrading your plan. If you have questions on changing your existing plan, please contact a dedicated customer service associate.
6. How long can my children remain covered?
Your children remain covered if they are unmarried, under 19 years old, or under 25 years old, as long as they qualify as dependents for income tax purposes and are full-time students (12 or more credits) at an accredited college, university, vocational or technical school. BCBSGa requires written proof of student status annually. Please see your Contract for more details.
The age limit for children to remain on your policy is 25 years old. At that time, they may transfer to their own individual policy.
7. How long can my child be covered if he or she has disabilities?
If your child has a physical handicap or mental retardation and reaches the age limits (19 years, 25 years if in college), your child can continue coverage if he or she is: covered under this plan, still dependent on you or your spouse, not able to get a job to self-support him or herself because of the handicap or mental retardation. Please see your Contract for more details.
Individual Billing
1. What are my monthly premium payment options?
You can mail in check or money order
You can set up an automatic bank draft using a checking account
You can pay by phone using credit card (Visa, MasterCard or Discover) or checking account information (Routing # and Account # required)
You may also set up online bill payment through your bank’s website2. How do I set up my account to be on an automatic bank draft?
Please print out the draft request form. Once you fill out the form, please mail to the address or fax to number provided on form.
3. How do I make a premium payment over the phone?
Call(800) 718-8831
Choose a language selection – press 1 for English – 2 for Spanish
Then press 1 to indicate you are the Member
Choose your member options – press 4 for “Premium”
Choose subject selection – press 1 for “Billing Options”
Enter your Member ID number located on your ID card without the first three letters
Enter your Date of Birth
Enter the zip code of the policy holder
You will hear your payment history first. Then press 3 for “Payment”.
To pay by checking account, press 1 for “Check”
To pay by credit card press 2 for “Credit”
Follow the steps to enter your payment information.
4. Are there any ways to change my policy information online when I use my login?
1. Visit our on-line Provider Directory and follow the steps to find the provider of your choice.
In the memo field on the check, please list the names, policy numbers and the amount that is needed to post to each account. Also, please attach the premium notices with the payment if available.
6. When are my bills due?
Please check the 2009 Billing Schedule.
1. How do I order additional ID cards?
Simply visit the Member Access portion of this Web site. If you do not have a username and password to the service, request one today and then call customer service to request a replacement member ID card(s), or request one by emailing us at websupport@bcbsga.com.
2. Do I need to carry my ID card with me at all times?
While it’s not a requirement, it is good practice to have your member ID card with you in the event of an emergency. However, if you do have an emergency and do not have your member ID card, do not worry, your provider of care can call Blue Cross Blue Shield Healthcare Plan of Georgia to verify your benefits.
Providers
1. How do I find a network provider?
You have three options:
