Demystifying Blue Cross Blue Shield Bill Pay in South Carolina

Paying your health insurance bill can be confusing. With so many plans, premiums, copays and other charges, it’s easy to get lost in all the details. This article will explain specifically how Blue Cross Blue Shield bill pay works in South Carolina, to help you understand the process and pay your bill with confidence.

An Overview of Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina

Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina (BCBSSC) is the largest health insurer in the state, providing coverage for nearly 1 million South Carolinians. They offer a variety of individual and family plans including HMO, PPO, Medicare Advantage and more.

As a policyholder, you are responsible for paying your monthly premiums and any out-of-pocket costs associated with your plan. BCBSSC offers several ways to pay your bill so you can choose the method that works best for you

How Premiums and Out-of-Pocket Costs Work

Your health insurance premium is the amount you pay each month to maintain coverage. Premiums vary depending on the type of plan level of coverage and number of people insured.

In addition to premiums, most plans also have cost-sharing through deductibles, copays or coinsurance. These are the out-of-pocket costs you pay when receiving medical services.

For example, you may have a $1000 deductible, meaning you pay 100% of costs until you reach $1000. After that, you start sharing costs with the insurance company through copays (a flat fee per visit/service) or coinsurance (a percentage of the total charges).

Understanding these basic concepts will help as we walk through how to pay your BCBSSC bill.

Navigating the BCBSSC Website

The primary way to manage your BCBSSC account and pay your bill is through the insurance company’s website. You’ll need to create an online member account to access bill pay.

Go to www.SouthCarolinaBlues.com and click on “Log In” in the top right corner. This will take you to the login page. Here are a few tips for navigating the site:

• If it’s your first time, click “Register Now” to set up your username and password. Have your member ID card handy to reference.

• Choose “Members” then log in with your credentials. This will take you to your account homepage.

• Use the menu bar at the top to navigate between pages like “Summary”, “Claims”, “Benefits” and more.

• To pay your bill, click on “Bill Pay” under the “Payments” section of the menu.

The website may seem complex at first, but will make more sense as you use it. Don’t hesitate to contact Customer Service if you need help.

Payment Options Offered by BCBSSC

BCBSSC offers several convenient ways to pay your monthly premiums or any outstanding balances:

Pay Online

• Fast and secure payment through your BCBSSC member account
• Link checking/savings account or pay by debit/credit card
• Schedule recurring payments so premium is automatically deducted each month

Pay by Phone

• Call 1-866-500-7677 and follow prompts to make payment
• Operators available Mon-Fri 8am-6pm for assistance
• Have your member ID and payment info ready

Pay by Mail

• Send check or money order payable to “BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina” to:

  BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
  P.O. Box 6000
  Columbia, SC 29260

• Include your member ID on the check

• Allow 7-10 days to process

Pay in Person

• Take check, money order, or cash to an authorized BCBSSC agent office
• Find locations at www.SouthCarolinaBlues.com/storelocations
• Get receipt as proof of payment

Review your options and choose the one that best fits your needs each month. Consistently paying premiums on time is key to maintaining coverage.

Billing Cycles and Due Dates

As a BCBSSC policyholder, it’s important to understand billing cycles and due dates to keep your payments on track. Here are some key points:

• Premium statements are generated around the 10th of each month

• Payment is due on the 1st of the following month

• For example, April’s statement is created mid-March and due April 1st

• If enrolling mid-month, your first bill may cover a partial month

• After that, billing will follow the monthly cycle

• Bills are sent electronically or by mail based on your selected preferences

• You have a 30 day grace period after the due date before coverage is cancelled for non-payment

Know your billing cycle and mark due dates on your calendar. Log into your account regularly to view statements and current account balance.

Staying On Top of Payments to Avoid Lapse in Coverage

The worst thing that can happen is letting your health insurance coverage lapse due to missed payments. Here are some proactive tips to avoid any disruption:

• Sign up for autopay or calendar reminders for due dates
• Check account balance weekly and pay down any past due amounts
• Notify BCBSSC immediately if your bank account changes to avoid autopay rejections
• Contact customer service if you anticipate difficulty making a payment on time
• Consider prepaying premiums quarterly or annually if cash flow varies month to month

Remember, it only takes one missed payment to put your coverage in jeopardy. Set up a routine to stay organized and make payments on time every month.

Seeking Help from Customer Service

Don’t hesitate to tap into BCBSSC’s customer service resources if you need assistance with bill pay. Help is available:

• By phone at 855-404-6752 from 8:30am to 5:30pm EST Monday through Friday

• Through secure messaging by logging into your account at www.SouthCarolinaBlues.com

• In-person by visiting a local authorized BCBSSC agent office

The team can answer questions about your bill, explain charges, update your payment preferences, provide enrollment verification for tax purposes, and much more.

In Summary…

Equipped with the right information, you can pay your BCBSSC bill smoothly and confidently each month. Your health coverage is important – be sure to keep up with your premium and out-of-pocket payments. Here’s to a healthy year ahead!