What caregivers need to know about health insurance

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Taking care of a loved one can be overwhelming. There are doctor appointments to remember, bills to pay and health insurance to navigate. Here are a few things you need to know about helping manage health insurance as the caregiver of a Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield member.

How to help manage your loved one’s health insurance as their caregiver

Get permission to speak on your loved one’s behalf

To help manage your loved one’s health insurance, they’ll need to appoint you as their representative. This allows Wellmark to release your loved one’s health and claims information to you.

Complete this form with your loved one to get started.

Make a list of prescriptions and providers

Knowing what medications your loved one is taking and the providers they see will make it easier to answer questions from their providers, track their spending and help you advocate for them.

Keep important health plan documents organized

Once you've been appointed as your loved one's representative, it’s important you have access to their medical records, claims, coverage information and other important health documents.

With our secure member portal, myWellmark, you have access to all your loved one’s important health information in one place. And with the myWellmark app, you can conveniently access those documents from anywhere. You can also find care, get cost estimates and easily connect with Wellmark customer service.

Know when important health insurance enrollment periods take place

If your loved one isn’t already enrolled in Medicare, also called Original Medicare, it’s important to know when they will become eligible and can enroll in a plan.

Most people become eligible for Original Medicare three months before they turn 65. This is called their Initial Enrollment Period. They then have the next three months, the month of their birthday and the three months following their birthday month to enroll in Original Medicare and prescription drug coverage.

Caregivers should consider reviewing Medicare coverage annually to understand available coverage options and prescription drug coverage requirements.

Use the resources available to you

Wellmark is here to support our members and their caregivers. With tools and resources designed to make your life easier, you’re not alone in caring for your loved one. Specific benefits vary by plan, so make sure to check your loved one’s coverage manual to see what benefits are covered by their plan.

BeWell 24/7^®

BeWell 24/7 offers Wellmark members^† 24/7 support. Get help coordinating your loved one’s care, schedule appointments, get answers to your health care and health insurance questions, plus more.

Case management

Case management nurses and social workers support members who have severe or complex health conditions. The nurse or social worker will guide members and their caregivers through the complex health care system by providing care coordination, education and help finding resources or services to support the member’s current treatment plan.

Virtual visits

You or your loved one can speak virtually with an experienced doctor from Doctor On Demand^®  who can treat most common medical conditions and prescribe medication, if needed.

Remember to take care of yourself

Your physical and mental health matters. Remember to take time for yourself and find ways you can support your own health and well-being. For articles on self-care, nutrition and more caregiving resources, check out our articles on Blue.