R5A

BCBS Prefix R5A

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield

Maryland/District of Columbia/Northern Virginia • HDHP, EPO, Medicare Advantage

Billing essentials

Provider phone
(800) 842-5975
Electronic payer ID
00580
Claims mailing address
10455 Mill Run Circle, P.O. Box 825, Owings Mills, MD 21117
Timely filing limit
180 daysCompare all plans
Prior authorization phone
(866) 773-2884

Coverage under prefix R5A

HDHP

HDHP (High-Deductible Health Plan) coverage means the member has a higher deductible than traditional plans, often paired with a Health Savings Account (HSA). Most services require the member to pay out-of-pocket until the deductible is met. Preventive care is typically covered before the deductible. Submit claims normally to the payer listed above.

EPO

This is an Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) prefix. EPO plans do not cover out-of-network care except in genuine emergencies. Members can see any in-network specialist without a referral from their primary care physician. Claims for out-of-network non-emergency services will be denied.

Medicare Advantage

This prefix is associated with Medicare Advantage. MA plans combine hospital (Part A) and medical (Part B) coverage, and many include prescription drug coverage (Part D). When billing, confirm whether the plan uses the same payer ID for MA claims as for commercial claims, as many BCBS companies use separate IDs.

About CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield

Independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association serving Maryland, District of Columbia and Northern Virginia.