If you’re having trouble getting online access to your account using BAM SM , these Frequently Asked Questions may help you troubleshoot.
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Once your password has been reset, try again to log in to BAM.
You can call the customer service number listed on the back of your Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois member ID card to make sure the right email and mobile number is linked to your account or to change your contact preferences. Or you can use our online form to update your preferences using your member ID number.
If you are unsure that your username is correct or don’t remember it, you can get your username using these easy steps:
You can use the same steps above to have your username sent to you.
Because your account includes private health and financial information, we pledge to keep your account information safe. This passcode is a security feature we’ve added to protect your account from hackers, malicious actors and cyber threats. It is an extra step, and that can be annoying. But you will have the option to check a box when entering the one-time verification code that will allow you to skip the verification steps on that device for 30 days.
Our “Shop Plans and Prices” site is a tool used to pick a plan and enroll. For security reasons, it isn't part of our member accounts system. That means you’ll need to sign up for BAM, as well – even if you use the same username and password.
We've updated BAM to give you a better experience, so the website address you saved may have changed. Access the new BAM website and use Sign Up or Log In within the Member Login window on the top right of the webpage. You can save the new BAM link, but don’t forget to delete the old one.
Go to BAM and click Sign Up or Log In and follow these simple steps:
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For technical questions about the BAM website:
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If you’ve already paid for a health care service that you believe should be covered, you can submit a claim to be paid back.
Print out or download a “Medical Claim Form” from Form Finder or from the Forms & Documents link under My Account tab on BAM. Then fill out the form completely.
To submit your completed form, you can:
There are three types of claims statuses that you may see:
Please note that BAM and Customer Service agents will not have updates on your claim until it is processed.
You have the right to know why a claim was denied. Learning why your claim has been denied is also the first step to appealing or re-filing your claim.
You can always check your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) for why your claim was denied and to make sure your claim information is correct. If a claim is denied, a reason for the denial will be listed at the end of your EOB.
You always have the right to know why a claim was denied and to appeal a denied claim. Every EOB has instructions on what to do if a claim has been denied. It is also explained in your benefit book. You may get your EOB in the mail. If you have a BAM online account, your EOB and benefit book can also be found there.
While some appeals can be faster, a standard appeal takes about 30 days for review. Some appeals may take up to 60 days.
If your life or health could be at risk by waiting, you can ask for an urgent appeal. If you qualify, the review will be handled within 72 hours. You and your doctor will get a phone call from us explaining the decision and next steps.
When you go to your doctor and pay your copay – you’ll get an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) after your claim is final. An EOB shows costs from your health care provider and how the claim was processed. Charges change according to what your plan covers and what services you receive.
If you get paper EOBs, an EOB will be mailed to you after a claim has been finalized. If you have a BAM online account, your EOB and benefit book can also be found there. If you are signed up for paperless statements, you can opt in to get an email or text when your EOB is ready to view in your BAM account.
It can be confusing when you go to the doctor for a covered routine or diagnostic visit and still get a bill. There can be a few reasons this happens:
You may have gone to a doctor that’s out of network, or you may have had lab work done that was sent out of network. When you go out of network, this may incur a charge.
When you go to a routine visit, only certain services are covered at 100%. If you ask for or choose to have other services performed, or talk about other issues that are not covered as routine, you may be charged.
It can be confusing if you believe that a claim was approved, and you still get a bill. First, double check your EOB to make sure all the services you received were covered. Sometimes when you visit a provider, only certain services are covered at 100%. Your health plan may have only covered part of your total bill.
If you have checked your EOB and believe you were billed for a service that was covered, call your provider. If you are still having issues you can call the customer service number on the back of your ID card.
When you get emergency care or are treated by an out-of-network provider at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, you are protected from surprise billing or balance billing. In these cases, you shouldn’t be charged more than your plan’s copayments, coinsurance and/or deductible.
There may be several reasons why your prescription drug claim has been denied:
If your medication is not on your drug list, you or your prescribing doctor can request a coverage exception. To request this exception, your prescribing doctor will need to send us documentation, or you can fill out and submit the Prescription Drug Coverage Exception form.
We will usually let you or your doctor know the coverage decision within 72 hours of receiving your request.
You or your doctor may be able to ask for an expedited review if:
We will usually let you or your doctor know the coverage decision on an expedited review within 24 hours of receiving your request.
If the coverage request is denied, we will let you know why it was denied and may advise you of a covered alternative drug. You can also appeal the benefit determination.
If you’re covered by two health plans, your doctor may file a claim with both. Insurance companies decide which plan covers what costs. This is called Coordination of Benefits (COB).
You may get a COB Questionnaire from your insurer to set up the coordination of benefits so claims get paid correctly. If you do, please be sure to fill it out, even if you do not have any other coverage. You may also want to document any other coverage you have when your plan renews each year.
Yes, please respond. BCBSIL has partnered with Equian to review the medical claim listed on your letter. We want to know if another person or insurance company should be responsible for the claim as part of our subrogation process.
The claim we are examining may be for care you got from an injury at work or from an accident that was caused by another party, like an auto accident.
This is one of the many ways BCBSIL works to help control the rising costs of health care. Please call the number listed on the letter or go online to Equian to answer the claim questions.
We sincerely apologize for our error in drafting your bank account twice for your premium payment. This occurs when we have two active policies for you in our system, which pulled your records twice when the automated drafts were processed. Call our billing office at 1-800-792-8595 to report this so we can correct the error in our system, if we haven't already, so this will not happen again. We will mail a refund check for the overpayment amount within 5 days of correcting the error. If you don't see it soon, please give us a call. In addition, if you had overdraft fees as a result of the double billing, please call our billing office so we can refund these charges as well.
We cannot process a cancellation request for a Marketplace plan. If you want to cancel your Marketplace plan, you can call the Marketplace at 1-800-318-2596. If you want to cancel our off-Marketplace plan, we can process that cancellation for you. Call Customer Service at 1-800-538-8833. You can also log in to your BAM account and send us a secure email message. A policy will also automatically be cancelled for nonpayment if you don't pay the premium. This may be your best option. You would simply pay the premium for the plan you want to keep and not pay the premium for the plan you want to cancel. Log in to your BAM account from a desktop or mobile browser for more information about benefits, claim status and more.
Your member ID cards will only have the primary subscriber's name on them, but they can be used by all the dependents (in this case your spouse) enrolled under your policy.
Don’t worry if your ID card is lost or misplaced. We know this happens, so we’re ready to help. Find out more about your card and how to replace it.
Your trusty smartphone now safely stores your health information. Your mobile phone/device can:
Find insurance benefits
Log in to your BAM account 24/7 to access your benefits information or call Customer Service at the number listed on your BCBSIL member ID card.
Download the BCBSIL mobile app in the iTunes App Store for your iPhone; or use Google Play for Android users. Or text BCBSILAPP to 33633. To learn more, watch this Health Care One-to-One video.
Moving? Expecting a new arrival? When your life changes, let us help. Find out more about making a seamless transition.
Members can tweak how you receive communications from BCBSIL. To make changes, go to your communication preferences page.
Within days of your application being accepted, you will receive a welcome letter from BCBSIL that includes your member identification number and group number. This information can be used by providers and pharmacies to verify your coverage until you get your member ID card. Your ID card will be sent separately soon after.
You may have received this error message during your registration for a number of reasons. Many times, the information you entered may not have matched the data in our system. Please remember to have your group and member ID numbers handy when you register. Both numbers can be found on your welcome letter and your member ID card. Register Now
Members can receive Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statements in Spanish. Choose your language preference for your communications with us. We also have the following tools available for our Spanish-speaking members:
All our health plans will cover your essential health benefits and services. That said, you’ll want to find the one best suited to you and your family’s needs. Learn more about your choices and how to make your best decision.
Getting the best answers starts with asking the right questions. You’ll want to know what you need to know before making your decisions. Find out more about how to go about seeking the best plan for you.
Don’t wait until you are sick to find a personal doctor. You’ll want the practice best suited to you and your family’s needs. Get started with some expert advice.
Search for an in-network doctor under your plan on Provider Finder®. Also:
This Contact Guide has the phone numbers and instructions you’ll need. Find the change you’d like to make, then learn where to get started.
The following doctors can be selected as a PCP:
Use Provider Finder® online directory to find a PCP in the HMO network who best fits your needs. Be sure the doctor you select is accepting new patients. It's easy to use the Provider Finder by registering for your online BAM account.
You must have a primary care provider assigned. If you don't select your own, we will assign one to you.
Yes. However, if the specialist is not in your plan's network, in most cases, you may have to pay for services that are considered out-of-network.
Can I continue to see my current doctor when I join the HMO plan?
Yes, if your current doctor is a part of the HMO’s network. If your doctor is not in the network, you will need to select a new PCP. To make sure a provider is in the HMO network, search Provider Finder.
Do I have coverage if I am traveling?
In an emergency, go directly to the nearest hospital. For non-emergencies, some HMO plans allow you to get health care services from a BCBSIL affiliated doctor or hospital when you are traveling outside of Illinois.
If you or a covered family member will be temporarily living outside Illinois for 90 days or more, you may be eligible for guest membership in a BCBSIL-affiliated HMO. Your current BCBSIL member ID card contains helpful information for accessing health care at home or away.
We'll work with you to provide coverage for the most appropriate care for your medical situation, especially if you are pregnant or receiving treatment for a serious illness. You may still be able to see your current provider for a brief time. Call us at the customer service number listed on your BCBSIL member ID card for more information.
Your BCBSIL HMO benefits also cover prescription drugs. Not all drugs are covered. You can visit our website to view the list of prescriptions your plan covers. This list is called a preferred drug list. To look for your medicines, you will need to know:
While costs can vary depending on your benefit plan, you usually pay less for generic drugs and more for brand name drugs.
If your plan offers a preferred pharmacy, save money by filling prescriptions at these places. Subscribers pay less for a 90-day supply of covered medicines in the store or by home delivery.