March 14, 2025
It’s important to ask to see our members’ identification cards before all appointments and to check eligibility and benefits. Newly enrolled members or members who have new benefit plans may have new ID numbers.
Please update your records with this information for every member. Because member ID formats can vary, use the entire member ID number, including the three-character prefix, to verify benefits and successfully process claims. Here are a couple of member ID formats you may see:
- F8MEB5698888
- ABC123456789
- F8M123456CH
You can use Availity® Essentials to verify eligibility and benefits. Learn more. If you have questions, call the number on the member’s ID card.
Checking eligibility and benefits and/or obtaining prior authorization is not a guarantee of payment of benefits. Payment of benefits is subject to several factors, including, but not limited to, eligibility at the time of service, payment of premiums/contributions, amounts allowable for services, supporting medical documentation, and other terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions set forth in the member’s policy certificate and/or benefits booklet and or summary plan description. Regardless of any prior authorization or benefit determination, the final decision regarding any treatment or service is between the patient and their health care provider.
Availity is a trademark of Availity, LLC, a separate company that operates a health information network to provide electronic information exchange services to medical professionals. Availity provides administrative services to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois. BCBSIL makes no endorsement, representations or warranties regarding third party vendors and the products and services they offer.