Find Out If You Have a Copay Before You Go to the Doctor

Before visiting your health care provider, check to see if you’ll need to make a copay.

You can find out your copay amount by looking at your member ID card or checking your benefit booklet or health plan contract. You can also log in to your Blue Access for Members^SM (BAM^SM) account and check the Coverage section.

Keep in mind that copays are due at the time of service. Copays may be different for different kinds of visits or services. For example, your copay for a visit to a specialist may be higher than it would be for a visit to your primary care physician (PCP).

Here are three tips to help you manage your copay costs:

• Always carry your current Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) member ID card. Or get your digital member ID card on the BCBSIL mobile app or by logging in to BAM.
• Call the precertification or preauthorization number on your member ID card, if required.
• When you get to the in-network doctor’s office, urgent care center or hospital, simply show your member ID card.

Copay costs may be higher if you see a provider who is not in your health plan’s provider network. To make sure that your doctor, hospital or other health care provider is in network, use the Provider Finder^® online search tool.

When you’re on the go, you can access Provider Finder with our free BCBSIL mobile app for iPhone^® or Android^® smart phones. To download our app in the App Store or Android Market, search for the keywords “Blue Cross Blue Shield Illinois.”

As always, in case of emergency, go straight to the nearest hospital.