IBW

BCBS Prefix IBW

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois

Illinois • Traditional Indemnity, Medicaid, PPO

Billing essentials

Provider phone
(877) 860-2837
Electronic payer ID
00621
Claims mailing address
P.O. Box 650712 Dallas, TX 75265-0712
Timely filing limit
180 daysCompare all plans
Prior authorization phone
(800) 654-7385

Coverage under prefix IBW

Traditional Indemnity

Under this indemnity prefix, the member has fee-for-service coverage. There is no provider network, no referral requirement, and no primary care physician gatekeeper. Claims are processed based on the plan's fee schedule. While less common than managed care plans, indemnity coverage is still offered by some BCBS companies.

Medicaid

Under this prefix, the member may have Medicaid coverage managed by this BCBS plan. Medicaid claims have specific rules around cost-sharing, balance billing, and timely filing that override the plan's standard commercial policies. Contact the plan's Medicaid provider services line for submission details.

PPO

This prefix is associated with a PPO plan. Preferred Provider Organization coverage gives members flexibility to see specialists without referrals and to use out-of-network providers at higher cost-sharing. Claims can be submitted for both in-network and out-of-network services, though reimbursement rates differ.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois

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.