Understanding Your Explanation of Benefits

After you have visited a doctor, clinic or hospital or filled a prescription, you will get a statement from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) that explains what was covered under your plan. This is called an Explanation of Benefits, or EOB.

An EOB will have these details:

• The patient and the service provided
• The amount charged by the provider
• The amount of the charges that are covered and not covered under your plan
• The amount paid to your provider
• The amount you're responsible for

The EOB isn't a bill. Anything you owe will be billed from your provider.

You can use your EOB to keep track of how much has been paid toward your annual deductible and out-of-pocket costs.

Your EOB explains your right to appeal if your health plan doesn't cover the provider's claim for care provided.

Sometimes a simple error could cause a claim to not be paid, such as the claim not having the right information. Anytime you have a question about what is on your EOB or how the claim was paid, call Customer Service to talk with a Customer Advocate. We want to make sure you understand your coverage each step of the way.

Your EOB also lists our fraud hotline, a toll-free number to call if you think you are being charged for care you did not receive or by providers you never saw. One of the best ways to stop health care fraud is to catch it at its source.

If you have any questions about an EOB, call us at 800-538-8833 or log into your Blue Access for Members^SM account at bcbsil.com.