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Quick Facts
- Voluntary for eligible staff, retirees and dependants at headquarters as well as internationally recruited eligible staff, retirees and dependants away from headquarters who plan to seek care in the US
- Covers medically necessary care at reasonable & customary (R&C) cost
- Area of coverage is worldwide
- No co-insurance for services provided by an in-network provider
- Annual deductible and coinsurance of 20% to 30% for services received from an out-of-network provider
- Teleconsultations available through “LiveHealth Online”
- Health and wellness support available through ActiveHealth
- Emergency medical assistance management through UnitedHealthcare Global Assistance and Risk
- Premium is a percentage on salary. 66% of total premium is subsidized by Member States
Plan Summary
The Empire Blue Cross PPO provides worldwide coverage for hospitalization and surgical, medical, vision and prescription drug expenses. Under this plan, medically necessary treatment for a covered illness or injury may be obtained at a hospital or from a physician of one’s own choosing, whether an in-network or out-of-network provider. In addition, members of the Empire Blue Cross plan have access to ActiveHealth as part of participation in this plan. Coverage when travelling or living outside of the US is handled by Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core.
Information Material - All about Your Plan
Description of Benefits - Empire Blue Cross PPO
The below resources are official outlines of the available Empire PPO. We kindly advise you to carefully review the plan details before making a decision on which plan is best suited for your needs.
Description of Benefits - Empire Blue Cross PPO
Specific Benefits available through the Empire Blue Cross PPO
The below resources are related to additional benefits available through the Empire Blue Cross PPO, such as special programmes, telehealth, international care and the Sydney Health App.
Empire Home Delivery Programme
Care outside the US through Empire Global Core
LiveHealth Online - Telehealth Guide
Sydney App
ActiveHealth
Both Aetna and Empire Blue Cross offer access to ActiveHealth that provides you with various resources intended to help you take better care of yourself, including coaching and health assessments.
ActiveHealth Overview
ActiveHealth Flyer
ActiveHealth Flyer 2
UnitedHealthcare Global Assistance & Risk
UnitedHealthcare Global Assistance & Risk is a facility available to Aetna and Empire Blue Cross subscribers when they are 100 or more miles away from home. UnitedHealthcare Global Assistance & Risk is a programme providing emergency medical assistance management — including coordinating emergency evacuation and repatriation — and other travel assistance services.
FAQs
What is the time limit to submit medical claims?
All claims must reach Empire Blue Cross within two years after the date on which the expenses were incurred.
How can I access care outside the US?
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core Program gives UN participants benefits when living or traveling outside the US. More information can be found on www.bcbsglobalcore.com.
Are Assisted reproductive technologies covered under Empire Blue Cross PPO?
Assisted reproductive technologies including but not limited to In-vitro fertilization, Artificial insemination,Gamete and zygote intrafallopian tube transfer and Intracytoplasmic sperm injection are not covered under the Empire Blue Cross PPO plan.
How can I submit a claim for care rendered in the United States?
Once you have registered to the Empire member pages (www.empireblue.com/login), you can access the claim form section through this weblink: //membersecure.empireblue.com/member/claim-form. This secure webpage will guide you through the claiming process.
How can I submit a claim for care rendered outside the United States?
Once you have registered to the Empire Global Core member pages (www.bcbsglobalcore.com), you can access the claim form section through this weblink: //www.bcbsglobalcore.com/Claims/. This secure webspage will guide you through the claiming process.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Online or Mobile
See what’s covered by your plan; check your claims; get ID cards; find a doctor, drug or facility; compare estimated treatment costs and more. It’s quick and so easy!
Try Blue Connect Already registered? Log In Here
Ask questions about your plan or how to cancel it, how to set up Blue Connect or reset your password.
Email Us
Telephone
For questions about your plan, bills or claims, call the Customer Service number on the back of your Blue Cross NC member ID card.
Don’t have your ID card? Call: 1-888-206-4697.
Hearing- or Speech-Impaired:
Please call 1-800-442-7028/TTY users dial 711.
Please note that you will need to identify yourself in order to be directed to the appropriate Customer Service department for your plan.
2022 Holiday Schedule:
(Office Closed)
New Year's Day | Dec. 31, 2021 (observed) |
MLK Day | Jan 17 |
Memorial Day | May 30 |
Independence Day | July 4 |
Labor Day | Sep 5 |
Thanksgiving | Nov 24-25 |
Christmas | Dec 23 & 26 |
MEET IN PERSON
(In-person services will resume on Nov 1, 2022, by appointment only.)
For Onsite Member Services:
1965 Ivy Creek Blvd
Durham, NC 27707
Hours: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., M-F
5660 University Parkway
Winston-Salem, NC 27105
Hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., M-F
Onsite Office at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital (North Tower)
1 Medical Center
Blvd
Winston-Salem, NC 27157
Please call 919-698-8460 to schedule an appointment
Blue Cross NC Centers
Our Blue Cross NC Centers are designed to help you with all your health plan needs. From purchasing a plan to help understanding your benefits for resolving issues, you can make an appointment with our team. We have three center locations - Charlotte, Raleigh, and Boone - and more on the way!
Find a Center
Agent Retail Stores
Visit us at one of our agent-run retail locations to speak with a Blue Cross NC licensed agent or Customer Service representative on how to purchase a plan.
Find a Store
NEED HELP PURCHASING A PLAN?
Individual or Family Plans (People under age 65):
1-800-324-4973 (toll-free)
Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Fridays, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Group Plans (Company Sponsored):
1-800-291-6315 (toll-free)
Blue Medicare HMO / Blue Medicare PPO
1-800-665-8037 (toll-free)
TTY users dial 711
7 days a week: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Blue Medicare Rx (PDP)
1-800-661-5518
(toll-free)
TTY users dial 711
7 days a week: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Blue Medicare Supplemental
1-800-478-0583 (toll-free)
TTY users dial 711
Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
CORPORATE ADDRESSES
General Correspondence, National Sales and Triangle Regional Sales
Mailing Address:
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
P.O. Box 2291
Durham, NC 27702
Street Address (Deliveries):
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
Corporate Headquarters
4615 University Drive
Durham, NC 27707
Network Management:
Are you a provider? Contact Network Management