Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
Illinois • HMO, PPO, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid
HMO coverage means this member must use providers within the plan's network. A primary care physician serves as the care coordinator and must authorize specialist referrals. Emergency services are the primary exception to the network requirement. Always verify referral status before providing non-emergency specialty care.
This is a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) prefix. PPO plans are the most common BCBS plan type. Members have the freedom to self-refer to specialists. Claims for in-network services are typically processed faster and reimbursed at higher rates than out-of-network claims.
Under this prefix, the member may have Medicare Advantage coverage administered by this BCBS plan. MA claims are subject to CMS regulations in addition to the plan's own policies. Balance billing restrictions apply. Verify the member's specific MA plan details and confirm the correct payer ID for electronic submission.
Medicaid coverage under this prefix means the member's Medicaid benefits are administered by a BCBS managed care plan. Medicaid managed care claims may have different submission requirements, payer IDs, and timely filing deadlines than commercial claims. Verify the specific Medicaid plan details with the payer.
State's only statewide customer-owned health insurer and independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Serves Illinois with commercial, Medicare, Medicaid and other plans.