Blue Cross Blue Shield

Some frequently asked questions regarding Blue Cross Blue Shield

Many people do not know what to do when it comes to how to file claims with Blue Cross Blue after receiving medical services in order to be reimbursed. This is usually not a problem because most of the time, the Blue Cross Blue Shield network physician's office staff will take care of claims and filing, and they usually only ask you to make your co-payment. However, what happens when you have a baby. Many people do not know what to do to add that newborn to their Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance policy. And babies start receiving medical care from the second they are born, so it is important that Blue Cross Blue Shield receives notice as soon as possible, so that your baby will be covered by your policy, and you will not have any additional bills.

The way to enroll your newborn in your Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance policy is to contact your group administrator, or customer service right after your baby's birth. Usually, you have thirty-one days to notify Blue Cross Blue Shield and your newborn will be covered from the birth day. If you wait until after thirty-one days, you may have to wait until the next Blue Cross Blue Shield enrollment period. There is typically a form to fill out, called a Member Change form. Once this is done, then your baby will be effectively covered by your Blue Cross Blue Shield policy.

If you adopt a child, you also need to contact the Blue Cross Blue Shield group administrator or customer service within thirty-one days of the official adoption date. Blue Cross Blue Shield will require legal documentation of the adoption in order to process the enrollment. Then, your newly adopted child will also be covered by your Blue Cross Blue Shield policy.

Although more unusual, there are times when family members need to be removed from your Blue Cross Blue Shield policy. This could be due to a child reaching a certain age, divorce, or sadly, due to death. That can also be done through the Blue Cross Blue Shield group administrator, or customer service phone number on the back of your member ID card. The Member Change form will also need to be completed. If your child is merely out of state while enrolled in full-time school, you do not necessarily have to make any changes to your Blue Cross Blue Shield policy. That child can continue to be covered by using the Blue Cross Blue Shield national network of providers, as long as that is included in your particular policy. Check the details of your particular Blue Cross Blue Shield policy to see about your network restrictions.

Speaking of school, unmarried children who are enrolled as full-time students in an accredited school may remain covered by the parents' Blue Cross Blue Shield policy until the age of 26. If they are not enrolled in school, then the age at which they are no longer eligible to be covered by the parents' Blue Cross Blue Shield policy is 19. The age of being considered a dependent can change also if your child has a physical handicap or mental retardation. For these specific situations, please refer to the Blue Cross Blue Shield Certificate Booklet for details and information.