Group id on insurance card blue cross blue shield

Your member ID card – like the example shown here – identifies you as a CareFirst member and shows important information about you and your covered benefits. Each family member on your plan should have a card with their name on it. Make sure to always present your ID card when receiving services. If you don’t have your physical card, you can view it on your smartphone through My Account.

Table of Contents Show

How to Read Your Member ID Card
1. Your Member ID Number
2. Your Plan Type
3. Your Costs
4. Pharmacy Coverage
1. Double-Check Details
2. Key Contact Information
3. Your Member ID Number
4. Your Plan Type
5. Your Co-Pays
What is group ID on insurance card?
What is a plan ID?

This graphic shows the most requested information when you receive care. In addition, you will find important phone numbers on the back.

1 & 2

Member ID & Group Number - these are the numbers providers need to verify your coverage

Codes pharmacies use to route claims for payment

Open access - no referrals are needed

Plan and PCP name - your plan and primary care provider's name

Abbreviations - correspond to your plan's copays: P=primary care provider; S=specialist; CC=convenience care; UC=urgent care; ER=emergency room; D=deductible; RX=drug; AV=adult vision

We’re committed to protecting our members, healthcare providers and federal benefits against healthcare fraud. But we can’t stop healthcare fraud alone. Here’s how you can protect your information:

Think of your member ID card as being as valuable as your debit or credit card. Keep your physical card in a safe place.
Never share your member ID card with anyone except your healthcare providers or pharmacy. If anyone else requests your personal information, do not share it.
If you think your card was stolen, you should contact your local Plan and request a new contract ID when you request a new card to prevent unauthorized use.

If you suspect fraud, call the FEP Fraud Hotline at 1-800-337-8440.

You present your insurance card when you go to the doctor's office or visit a pharmacy. You know it's important and you need to have it, but why?

As part of the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (also known as the No Surprises Act), updates have been made to your member ID to help you better understand your plan’s deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums.

All members will receive a new member ID card in 2022. Please dispose of your old card properly to protect your member information and keep your new card in a safe and secure place.

How to Read Your Member ID Card

Note: This is a sample ID card. Cards may vary from member to member.

1. Your Member ID Number

Your Blue Cross ID card has your identification number (also known as your member ID number in some applications) and group number. You’ll need this information when receiving medical services at the doctor or pharmacy, or when calling customer service for assistance.

Your member ID number is also important to have so that you can register for the Member Resource Center and access various member benefits including discounts and health and wellness services. When referencing your member ID number, you often times need the last 13 digits of your ID (exclude the first three letters) and the 2-digit number on the Member line (typically above your name on the card).

2. Your Plan Type

If you aren’t sure what type of health insurance plan you have, you can find out on the upper right corner of your ID card. The type of plan you have can affect what providers are in-network.

Four products will show the PPO suitcase icon in the lower right corner: Open Access Plan, Exclusive Provider Organization (PCP), Exclusive Provider Organization, Vermont Freedom Plan (PPO). All other products will have an empty suitcase icon.

3. Your Costs

Your co-pays are printed on the front right side of your card so that you know what to expect upon your next visit. Your ID card may also include your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum.

A co-pay is a fixed amount you pay for a covered health care service.
A deductible is the amount you pay for covered health care services before your insurance plan starts to pay.
Coinsurance is the percentage of costs you pay after you’ve paid your deductible.
The out-of-pocket maximum is the upper limit on the amount of money you will pay for healthcare services in a plan year.

4. Pharmacy Coverage

If you have pharmacy benefits through Blue Cross, the back of your ID card will have VERMONT BLUE Rx printed on the bottom.

You can use the first three numbers on your member ID card to log into your account and access your benefits.

Some items go everywhere with us. Our phones, keys, driver’s licenses and credit cards are kept at our fingertips at all times. When it comes to healthcare services, that item is your Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) ID card.

Keep it in a safe, easily accessible place like your wallet. Your card contains key information about your health insurance coverage that is required when you need care or pick up a prescription at the pharmacy. Keeping your card in a secure location will also help protect you from medical identity theft.

If you have misplaced or haven’t yet received your BCBS ID card, a temporary ID card may be available online. Visit your local BCBS company’s website for details.

When your BCBS ID card arrives in the mail, take a moment to look for these five things:

1. Double-Check Details

Check your new card to ensure details like the spelling of your name and the type of plan you selected are correct. (See item #2 below to learn how to contact your BCBS company to address any errors.)

2. Key Contact Information

Your BCBS ID card has important contact information to help you reach your BCBS company. Look on the back of your card to find the phone numbers for customer service and eligibility questions.

3. Your Member ID Number

Your BCBS ID card has your member number, and in some cases, your employer group number. Your member number, also known as your identification number, is listed directly below your name. You’ll need this information when receiving medical services at the doctor or pharmacy, or when calling customer service for assistance. If your group number is available, you'll find it directly below your member number.

4. Your Plan Type

If you forget or aren’t sure what type of health insurance plan you have (like an HMO or PPO), you can find out on your BCBS ID card. If you have an HMO, your card may also list the physician or group you’ve selected for primary care. Determining whether a provider is in-network is an important part of choosing a primary care physician.

5. Your Co-Pays

Your BCBS ID card may include a list of the co-pay amounts you can expect to pay for common services, like a doctor’s visit or trip to the emergency room.

What is group ID on insurance card?

Member ID Number: identifies you, the insured. Group number: Identifies your employer plan. Each employer choses a package for their employees based on price, or types of coverage. This is identified through the group number.

What is a plan ID?

Finding the Plan ID The Plan ID is a 3-digit number that designates one plan from another for the IRS and DOL. Which number goes to what plan is up to the employer in most cases. In the instructions for Form 5500, the IRS informs us that Plan ID numbers are to begin with 501 for a company's first health & welfare plan.