It’s hard to admit that sometimes you need a little extra help. Some would argue that this is the hardest step to take. For some, it can feel like a new day dawning. Congratulations for making it this far. Some people have a support network helping them, and others are making this step on their own.
There are other steps involved in getting the help you need that can sometimes be frustrating. Insurance is one of these things and it is something that frustrates many. Often, it is also complicated to understand. Don’t worry, we’re here to help you out with finding out what Blue Cross Blue Shield addiction rehab coverage benefits may be. We’re going to give you a few steps to take to find out what benefits you have, how to contact them, and how to search for the right rehab program for you.
A Little About Blue Cross Blue Shield
Blue Cross Blue Shield is a conglomeration of independently run companies, all of whom serve different localities. In this way, they’re able to serve many people–as many as one in three Americans are covered by a Blue Cross Blue Shield policy. The company’s main webpage offers a search utility on their main website to enable policy holders to find the contract information for their particular Blue Cross, Blue Shield policy. Visit here to make use of this utility.
Using the above listed utility, first you will want to locate your particular company. There are three ways to search–by member ID number, which should be located under Member ID on your insurance card. You may also be able to locate this number on bills. Your second two options are to search by zip code or state. Your Member ID will bring up your exact company, while you may need to sift through a few results when you use either your state or zip code.
How to contact Blue Cross, Blue Shield
Now we have what company you need to contact. There are several ways to get a hold of your insurance company. Common methods include by mail, by telephone, and through the internet. Let’s go through a few ways Blue Cross Blue Shield has given for policyholders to get in contact with them.
Internet
Most insurance companies are going to have a contact us page, and this will commonly list an email form or email address, a phone number, and usually an address. Some companies will have a variety of each to use. Another way provided may be through a member services log in. This has the added benefit of allowing you to easily access claims, your benefits description, as well as the explanation of benefits (often called an EOB). This can serve as a one stop solution for most questions you have.
Phone
Sometimes Questions about your insurance coverage can be a little more complicated, requiring assistance from an insurance agent. In this case, your best course of action is to give the company a call. Don’t let endless menus deter you. There are people on the other end of the line who are there to assist you with all of your questions. Have patience–you will get through.
By Mail
There are times that an insurance company may ask for you to mail or fax information to them. The most accessible is to use the postal service to send this information. When you do send information by mail, make a copy of the original document and, unless otherwise requested, send in the copy, keeping the original for yourself. This way if something were to get lost in the mail, you still have the original documentation.
Understanding your benefits
Different types of fees
These terms can, at times, be confusing, as they all refer to money that the policy owner has to pay but all refer to different types of payments. A deductible refers to an amount of money that you contribute to various health care costs before the insurance company will pay for services. A Copay is something your insurance policy requires you to contribute to the payment for a visit, procedure, or medication. This will at times be either a flat fee or a percentage of the service or item. Coinsurance is the percentage you have to pay towards a service.
Another fee, your insurance premium, is the cost you will pay on a monthly basis for your insurance coverage.
In Network versus Out of Network
In network refers to the group of providers, facilities, and services that are covered under your insurance, making these services cheaper for you to use. You can do a search on your insurer’s website to find someone close to you. On the other hand, if a service is considered out of network, this means that the insurance company covers less of the cost for a provider or service. They also may refuse to pay for the service unless there was a medical emergency or an in network provider was not available to you at the time of service. You can visit https://www.medicalbillingandcoding.org/health-insurance-guide/overview/ to find out more information about terms relating to your insurance.
All of this information can be off putting for someone who is looking for help. Just know that wherever you choose to go, be it an inpatient or outpatient facility, there are people to help you make sense of your options. Consult a social worker at the facility, as they are valuable resources. They will guide you on the way, so you can focus on healing your mind and body.
You are not alone in your journey, no matter how you feel right now. Keep your head held high–you’ve made the most important step. No matter what issues you may encounter with insurance on the way, there are people willing to help you take care of them. As you go along, keep in mind that any adversity you may encounter on the way is nothing compared to where you are heading–into recovery.
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