BlueCard^® National Account Update

Online Benefits Now Available for Central States Trust Members

The BlueCard program allows members of one Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) Plan to obtain health care services while traveling or living in another BCBS Plan’s service area. This out-of-area program also applies to certain national accounts. For example, BCBSOK is proud to be the health care insurer for thousands of BCBS members who belong to organized labor unions.

As you are aware, conducting electronic transactions is recommended as a “best practice” for greater convenience, efficiency and security of your patients’ protected health information. Previously, providers could only obtain basic eligibility information online for Central States Trust, a national labor account whose members have the PPO product and participate in our BlueCard out-of-area program. However, at this time, BCBSOK is pleased to announce that complete benefits information is available and can be obtained online for Central States Trust members.

See below for some guidelines and reminders to assist you when you are providing services to Central States Trust members.

Always Check the Member’s ID Card

It is very important to follow any special instructions indicated on the back of the member’s ID card when servicing labor account groups. Most Central States Trust members reside in the Midwest and southern regions of the country, and can be identified by the following main indicators on their member ID cards:

• PPO-in-a-suitcase logo
• Alpha prefix:      TEA
• Group number:   P13168

Verify Member Eligibility and Benefits*

You can verify eligibility and benefit coverage for Central States Trust members and all BCBS members with the suitcase logo on their ID card in one of two ways:

• Send an electronic inquiry to BCBSOK (ANSI 270 transaction) via your preferred online vendor portal, the Availity^® Health Information Network, or
• Call the BlueCard Eligibility^® Line at (800) 676-BLUE (2583)

Submit Your Claims to BCBSOK

As an independently contracted BCBSOK provider, you should submit all claims for BCBS members to BCBSOK when services are rendered within the state of Oklahoma. BCBSOK should also be your sole point of contact for claim status requests and other claim-related inquiries.

• For faster, more efficient processing, file all claims electronically to BCBSOK
• Paper claims should be mailed to:

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma
P.O. Box 3283
Tulsa, OK 74102-3283

For more information and assistance regarding the BlueCard program, contact your assigned BCBSOK Provider Network Representative. You can find your Provider Network Representative’s contact information in the Network Participation/Network Representatives section of our website at bcbsok.com/provider.

Verification of eligibility and/or benefit information is not a guarantee of payment. Benefits will be determined once a claim is received and will be based upon, among other things, the member’s eligibility and the terms of the member’s certificate of coverage applicable on the date services were rendered.

Availity is a registered trademark of Availity, L.L.C. Availity, L.L.C. is an independent third party vendor, and is solely responsible for its products and services. BCBSOK makes no representations or warranties regarding this vendor.