Blue Cross Blue Shield Member Resources

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CARE CONCIERGE – PERSONALIZED MEMBER SERVICES

The Care Concierge team is ready to assist members with both understanding their health plan benefits and navigating the healthcare system. Care Concierge nurses can discuss your medical concerns, such as a new diagnosis, or advise you on how to seek a second opinion. They can also connect you with a wellness coach. Care Concierge can be reached by calling the member services number on your ID card and asking to speak with Care Concierge.

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FREE & CONFIDENTIAL WELLNESS COACHING

If you’re ready to make a health change, the BCBS wellness coaches are here to help you take control of your weight, better manage your stress level, quit smoking, improve your diet and become more active. There is no additional cost. The wellness coaches are registered nurses, dieticians or exercise physiologists who are certified in wellness coaching and tobacco cessation counseling. The wellness coaches can be reached at 1-888-509-9654, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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TAKE THE CALL FROM CARE MANAGEMENT

This team of nurses and other specialists may call you to offer additional support if you have a chronic condition, were diagnosed with a serious illness or were hospitalized recently. Please be sure to return their call and learn more about all the services and support they can provide. The nurses work with you and your family, caregivers, and doctors to help you better manage your health. The goal is to help you receive the best care at the right time and in the most appropriate place.

  TELEHEALTH

Using your smartphone, computer, or tablet, you can use Telehealth services to speak with a doctor or therapist anytime you need care, including after business hours and on weekends, from anywhere you have online access, including your home, work, or wherever else you need to be. Telehealth covers both medical and behavioral health care for conditions that can be treated through video visits.

Visit Well Connection by computer or mobile device and connect to a national network of online doctors and therapists who offer Telehealth services powered by American Well, an independent company. See this brochure for more information.

 

ALTERNATIVES TO THE ER

You should always go to the nearest emergency room in a life-threatening situation. But in other cases, even for urgent injuries, you have other options that can save you time and money.

First, Talk to Your Primary Care Provider

Unless it’s a true emergency, it’s always best to call your doctor’s office first, even if it’s after hours. They may want to see you or suggest alternatives to the emergency room. If the doctor’s office is closed, there may be recorded after-hours care instructions or the option to speak with an on-call nurse or doctor who can provide unique advice based upon your medical history and assistance in following up with your doctor. After you call your doctor, in the absence of severe symptoms, consider the options below:

Option What It Is What They Can Help You With Hours Relative Cost How to Find One
Blue Care Line Speak with a nurse by phone.
Explain your symptoms, and the nurse will help you decide what to do next.		 Assessment for the treatment of:

  • Fever
  • Dizziness
  • Cuts
  • General discomfort
 24/7 No cost Call the Blue Care Line at 1-888-247-BLUE (2583)
Limited Services Clinics Clinics located within your local pharmacy that treat simple medical concerns
Example: CVS Minute Clinic
  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Earaches
  • Pinkeye
  • Sore throat
 Days, evenings, weekends $$ Go to Find A Doctor

  • Login or select your plan (HMO Blue New England or PPO)
  • Enter location (if outside home area)
  • Select Urgent Care Centers square below or type in Clinics, Limited Services.
Urgent Care Centers Local clinics that treat conditions that aren’t life-threatening but should be treated right away
Examples: CareWell Urgent Care, Doctors Express, Health Express		 Symptoms treated at limited services clinics, plus:

  • Sprains
  • Minor burns or injuries
  • Short-term (acute) illness
  • Broken bones
 Days, evenings, weekends $$$
Emergency Room Full hospital service for severe symptoms that could seriously jeopardize your health or the health of another (including an unborn child)
  • Possible heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Poisoning
  • Loss of consciousness
 24/7 $$$$$$ Call 911 or go to your nearest hospital

Notes About Limited Services Clinics and Urgent Care Centers:

  • If your doctor’s office does not offer urgent care as part of their practice, make sure to check Find a Doctor regularly, as new limited services clinics and urgent care centers are always being added. If you’re logged in to Member Central, your network will display automatically. If you’re using our public Find a Doctor site, be sure to verify the name of your plan, found on your Blue Cross ID card, and click the Which Network Should I Choose? link for additional help.
  • Verify that your health plan covers care at the location you choose.
  • If you’re outside of Massachusetts, call Member Service at the number on the front of your Blue Cross ID card to confirm if the clinic is in our network or if you need a referral.