6 Ways Online Health Insurance Accounts Simplify Health Management for Seniors
Jake Newby
| 4 min read
It’s never been easier and more convenient to manage your health online. Registering for an online account through your health insurance provider unlocks a host of benefits designed to save you time, money and stress. You just need to know what’s available to you. Here are six ways seniors can simplify health management by using an online account.
1. They reduce barriers to care by helping you find providers online.
You can log into your online account and easily find in-network doctors, specialists and hospitals. This can be a gamechanger for those who live in remote areas or don’t have easy transportation access and want to find quality care close to home.
For instance, the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network (BCN) Find-A-Doctor tool helps you find or change your primary care provider (PCP), locate vision and dental care, find specialists who accept your plan and find durable medical equipment supplies. You can search for doctors and places by name and specialty, as well as customize your search based on the distance from your home.
2. They allow you to easily manage claims and bills.
An online account gives you the option to go paperless by providing instant access to your health plan, right at your fingertips. Depending on your plan, you can use your account to:
- View recent claim activity, including service descriptions, the amount your health plan covered for a service you received and what you owe out-of-pocket for that service.
- Track your deductible and out-of-pocket maximums.
- Review your explanations of benefits statements.
- Review your covered benefits.
- Check the status of authorizations or referrals.
- Pay your bill or set up automatic payments.
- Submit a request for reimbursement.
- Stay organized by marking the claims you already paid.
Once you sign up for an account, all you need to do is verify your name, birthdate and the last four digits of your Social Security card to access personal account information.
3. They provide virtual care options that allow you to receive care from home.
Virtual Care is a broad term that refers to health care services that utilize telecommunications technology, including video meetings, phone calls or instant messaging. Virtual Care by Teladoc Health® gives Blue Cross and BCN members online access to a network of U.S. board-certified doctors, psychiatrists and licensed therapists all from your smartphone, tablet or computer.
With virtual care, members can get online without an appointment when their PCP is unavailable and receive virtual urgent medical care for minor illnesses such as colds, sore throats, urinary tract infections and pink eye, all for an average wait time of 10 minutes or less. With Virtual Care, you’ll pay the same amount – or in some cases less – than you’d pay during an in-person office visit.
Blue Cross and BCN members with virtual care access can also schedule mental health care visits, where they can receive routine psychological and psychiatric treatment for conditions such as anxiety, depression and grief.
4. They help you find and manage your prescriptions.
Manage prescriptions anytime, anywhere with an online member account. You can view your active prescriptions, order online, set up home delivery and even track the order status of your prescriptions so you know when they’ll arrive. You can also:
- Find a pharmacy: Enter your city of ZIP code to find participating pharmacies near you.
- Find and price medications: Learn about medication interactions and side effects and find the cost of drugs available through your plan.
- Find drug lists: Make the most informed decision possible by finding prescription medication information, dosage amounts and more.
5. They allow you to estimate costs and get second opinions.
If you’re facing surgery, you can receive a virtual second opinion through your online account. Blue Cross can help you understand your available care options — both surgical and non-surgical – and connect with leading specialists without ever leaving home. Skip the waitlist and speak with medical professionals online or by text when you need them the most.
If you determine that surgery, MRI or other services are necessary, estimate your cost before you schedule an appointment. This option takes the guesswork out of finding the most affordable care that’s right for you, enabling members to search for a procedure by name or code, as well as find out-of-pocket costs.
6. They provide digital solutions if you lose your member ID card
If you lose or misplace your member ID card, a digital version is available online, through your member account. Once you log in, you’ll see am “ID Cards & Proof of Coverage” option on your member homepage. Click that to view the info on your ID cards, print temporary cards or order new ones.
Sign up for a member account by visiting bcbsm.com/register. You can then manage your plan with secure 24/7 access either through your member account online or the BCBSM Mobile App.
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