9. Let's read: Health insurance cards

Health insurance cards

Look at this health insurance card.

Does this look like your insurance card?

Notice the five different areas on the card. (Numbers 1-5) What does each of them mean?

(Your ‘PCP co-pay’ is how much you have to pay your primary care provider, that means your main doctor.)

• Where can you find the number you should call if you have a question? 
• When you call, the representative will ask for your member number. Where is that? 
• Sometimes they ask for your group number. Where is that? 
• If you see a specialist doctor, like a dermatologist or a surgeon, how much do you have to pay? 
• If you go to the emergency room, how much do you have to pay?

Answers:

Where can you find the number you should call if you have a question?

Click to show the answer. 5. "Inquiries" means questions. You can call either of the numbers to ask questions.

When you call, the representative will ask for your member number. Where is that?

Click to show the answer. 2. Your member number tells them who you are, where you live, how long you've been a member, etc.

Sometimes they ask for your group number. Where is that?

Click to show the answer. 3. Your 'group' is your employer's plan (who you work for). This number tells them what is covered on your plan.

If you see a specialist doctor, like a dermatologist or a surgeon, how much do you have to pay?

Click to show the answer. At the bottom left of the card (5), you will see "Specialist co-pay". It says $25.00.

If you go to the emergency room, how much do you have to pay?

Click to show the answer. At the bottom left of the card (5), you will see "Emergency room co-pay". It says $75.00.

Now look at this insurance card.

How is it different? (Don't click on the + buttons yet. Just notice how it's different.)

• the group number
• the member number
• the name of the primary care provider
• the cost of co-pays