BCBSNC to Issue New Member ID Cards in October

Beginning in October, Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC subscribers will receive a new two-sided member ID card (see attached sample) whenever they enroll, add family members to their policy, or request additional ID cards. In most cases, your covered employees will receive the newly-designed ID card upon their next policy renewal, beginning with November effective dates.

The ID cards are being re-designed in order to conform to state mandates and national Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange industry card standards, as well as help standardize ID cards for BCBS members nationwide. The new ID card features a wallet-friendly, two-sided design instead of the original four-sided design. As a result:

• Benefits displayed on the ID card will be reduced to the NC Department of Insurance-required copayment information and information most commonly used at the time of service by providers and members.
  
• Benefits displayed will reflect the member’s responsibility (e.g., $0 or 20% coinsurance), rather than BCBSNC’s responsibility (e.g., 100% or 80%).
  
• Benefit information for routine vision, chiropractic care and mental health/substance abuse will no longer appear on the ID card.
  
• If a subscriber also has BCBSNC dental coverage, the Dental Blue® logo will be on the front of the ID card.
  
• Helpful phone numbers and website addresses will be grouped together logically on the back of the ID card and will now have easy-to-understand descriptions.
  
  

Important Note for October-Effective Groups
Because the BCBSNC moved the effective date of the new ID cards from Sept. 15 to the October timeframe, group members with October effective dates will receive the current four-sided ID card, rather than the new two-sided card.

Should you have any questions about these new ID cards, please contact our office at 919-403-1986.

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September 23, 2008

Hill, Chesson & Woody
Employee Benefit Services

194 Finley Golf Course Road, Suite 200,
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
Phone: 919.403.1986
Fax: 919.913.0237

www.hcwbenefits.com