BlueCard^® Program

Special Features for Blue Choice^® Members

BlueCard offers you Level 1 benefits for emergency care performed in the emergency room. Level 3 benefits apply to services from a Blue Card provider that are performed at a participating practitioner's office or urgent care center.

Emergency care is medical care for a serious or life threatening illness or injury. If you are outside of your plan’s service area and experience an unexpected emergency situation:

• Seek care at the nearest hospital emergency room, or
• If time permits, find a participating hospital by calling the customer service number on your ID card.

When you receive care a by participating BlueCard hospital, show your ID card to receive these advantages:

• The physician or hospital verifies your membership and submits the claim to Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
• All participating doctors and hospitals are paid directly.
• Participating providers agree to accept the payment arrangements of the Blue Plan in their home state. You are responsible only for applicable deductibles, copayments or coinsurance.
• The coinsurance you pay is based on the lower of the billed charge for covered services and the negotiated price for covered services that the local Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plan passes onto Wellmark.
• Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield sends you an Explanation of Benefits (EOB).
  

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Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield is an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association doing business in Iowa and South Dakota. Blue Cross®, Blue Shield®, and the Cross® and Shield® symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an Association of Independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.