How to Pay Your BCBSNC Bill by Phone: A Complete Guide for North Carolina Members

Are you struggling to figure out how to pay your Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina bill by phone? I’ve been there too! As someone who’s navigated the various payment options for BCBSNC I can tell you that phone payments offer a quick and convenient solution when you need to handle your premium right away.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about paying your BCBSNC bill by phone, plus other payment methods that might work better for your situation.

Phone Payment Options for BCBSNC Members

When life gets busy, sometimes the easiest way to handle bills is with a quick phone call. Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina offers phone payment options, but there are a few things you should know before dialing.

Individual and Family Plan Members

If you have an individual or family plan with BCBSNC, here’s what you need to know:

• Phone Number: 800-333-7009
• What You’ll Need:
  • Your account number
  • Your billing address
  • Payment amount
  • Credit card number
• Convenience Fee: $3.50 per transaction
• Processing Time: Instant

Medicare Members

For those with Medicare plans through BCBSNC, the process is slightly different:

• Phone Number: 844-395-4535
• What You’ll Need: Same as above (account number, billing info, etc.)
• Convenience Fee: $3.50 per transaction
• Processing Time: Instant

When I called to make my payment last month, I was surprised by how quick the process was. The automated system walked me through each step, and I had confirmation of my payment in less than 5 minutes.

Important Note About Medicare Plans

According to the information on the Blue Cross NC website they currently cannot accept phone payments for

• Blue Medicare Supplement
• Blue Medicare Advantage
• Blue Medicare Rx policies

However, these plans can still be paid online, which we’ll discuss below.

Alternative Payment Methods

While phone payments are convenient, they do come with that $3.50 convenience fee. Here are some other ways to pay your BCBSNC bill that might save you money:

1. Online Through Blue Connect (Recommended)

This is my personal favorite method because it’s FREE and instant

• Go to www.bluecrossnc.com and click “Log In”
• Enter your username and password to access Blue Connect
• Click on “Billing & Payments”
• Select “Pay Now” for one-time payment OR “Manage AutoPay” for recurring payments

If you’re new to Blue Connect, you’ll need to register first by clicking “Register Now” and following the prompts.

2. Pay as a Guest

Don’t want to create an account? No problem:

• Visit www.bluecrossnc.com
• Click on “Pay Bill”
• Choose “Pay as a Guest” option
• Enter your account number
• Fill in payment details and submit

But be aware – guest payments also have a $3.50 convenience fee, so you’re not saving anything compared to phone payments.

3. Pay by Mail

The old-fashioned way still works:

• Mail your check to the remittance address on your invoice
• Include your account number on the check or payment coupon
• No fees!
• Processing time: 5-7 business days

4. Pay in Person

Did you know you can pay in person? BCBSNC accepts in-person payments by check only at their Raleigh location:

• 8511 Brier Creek Parkway, Suite 107, Raleigh, NC 27617
• Hours: Monday – Friday, 9AM to 6PM (excluding holidays)

Payment Methods Comparison

Here’s a quick comparison of all the payment options to help you decide which is best for you:

Avoiding Late Fees and Policy Cancellation

One thing I’ve learned the hard way – it’s super important to pay your BCBSNC premium on time! Here’s what can happen if you’re late:

• A $25 late fee may be charged if not paid within the grace period
• Policies can be cancelled around 90 days past due
• Outstanding balances may be sent to collections agencies

If you’re struggling to make payments on time, I recommend calling BCBSNC immediately to discuss possible payment arrangements or financial assistance.

Setting Up Auto-Pay (Never Miss a Payment Again!)

I switched to auto-pay last year, and it’s been a game-changer. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Log into Blue Connect and click “Manage AutoPay”
2. Choose a payment date before your due date
3. Enter your payment method information
4. Confirm enrollment

Pro tip: Set your auto-pay date a few days before your actual due date to avoid any processing delays!

The best part? Blue Cross NC doesn’t charge any fees for automatic payments (though your bank might charge if there are insufficient funds).

Commonly Asked Questions About BCBSNC Bill Pay

Can I make a partial payment by phone?

Unfortunately, partial payments cannot be made over the phone. You can only make partial payments by mail, and even then, there’s no guarantee your claims will be paid or your policy will remain active if the full amount isn’t received by the due date.

Does Blue Cross NC charge for bank drafts?

Nope! Blue Cross NC provides this service at no cost to registered Blue Connect members enrolled in individual and family plans. Some banks might charge a fee for automatic bank drafts though, so check with your bank first.

What if I get health insurance through my employer?

If your health insurance is provided through your employer, they will pay Blue Cross NC directly. You won’t have a premium bill to pay through BCBSNC.

What if I signed up through the Health Insurance Marketplace?

If you enrolled through the Health Insurance Marketplace, you just need to pay your first premium bill online. You can do this through the “Pay Premium” option.

Can I use a money order to pay my BCBSNC bill?

Yes, but only for certain plans and only by mail. Be sure to include your subscriber ID number on the money order to ensure your payment posts to your account on time.

Are business checks accepted for individual premium payments?

No, business checks are not accepted for individual premium payments.

Managing Your Healthcare Costs

While we’re on the topic of paying your BCBSNC bill, here are some tips I’ve picked up for managing your overall healthcare costs:

• Use in-network providers: You’ll save money by visiting doctors, labs, and hospitals that are contracted with your Blue Cross NC plan. They offer discounted rates that can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs.

• Consider your deductible: Plans with higher deductibles usually have lower monthly premiums but may provide less coverage than plans with lower deductibles and higher premiums. Think about your health status before choosing a plan.

• Understand your pharmacy benefits: Review your Benefits Booklet in Blue Connect to find out what medications are covered under your plan and learn about drug costs.

• Save with an HSA: If eligible, contribute pre-tax earnings to a health savings account through your employer or contribute to an individual HSA to claim tax deductions.

Final Thoughts

Paying your BCBSNC bill by phone is a convenient option when you need to make a quick payment, but remember that it does come with a $3.50 convenience fee. If you’re looking to avoid fees, your best bet is to use the Blue Connect portal online or set up auto-pay.

I’ve found that the extra 5 minutes it takes to set up an account on Blue Connect is totally worth it in the long run. Not only do you avoid fees, but you gain access to a bunch of other useful features like checking your deductible status, reviewing claims, and finding in-network providers.

Whatever payment method you choose, the most important thing is making sure your premium is paid on time every month so you can maintain your valuable health coverage.