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- The policy number is typically found on the front of your health insurance card
- Your policy number, also known as your ID number, is used as an identifier to determine the benefits and eligibility associated with your plan
- Your group number and other information is also listed on your health insurance card
- Your Medicare policy number often includes your social security number
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Where can I find my policy number and what is it?
Your health insurance policy number is typically found on the front of your insurance card. This number is unique to you and it is used to identify your plan’s benefits and the services that you are eligible for. Your medical provider will use this number for billing purposes, as well as to verify your plan.
If you need to contact your health insurance provider, you will usually need to give this number to the customer service representative to ask any questions about your plan.
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What else is listed on my health insurance card?
Several other pieces of information are also listed on your insurance card. Basic information such as your name, the name of the health insurance company, and the name of the policy subscriber, if it is not you. Other covered family members may be listed on the card, as well.
If you have an employer-based health plan or another type of group plan, the group number will also be listed on the health insurance card. It identifies your plan and the benefits associated with your plan, but it is separate than your member ID number. Everyone in the group has the same group number.
The plan type might also be listed on your health insurance card. Your card may say PPO, HMO, or EPO. These are the most common types of health insurance plans. HMO plans require you to select a primary care physician who is in charge of your healthcare decisions.
With most HMO plans, you will need a referral from this primary care provider before seeing any specialist. You can only see providers within your HMO network. The good thing about HMOs is that they usually have a low monthly premium and a low deductible if there is one at all.
PPO plans do not require you to choose a primary care provider or seek referrals for a specialist. You may be able to see an out of network provider for some services, but the cost will be higher. PPO premiums are often higher than HMO premiums and they may contain a deductible, as well.
Your prescription benefits and payment information may be listed on there, as well. You may have a flat rate listed on your card which is your copayment. For example, it might list $10 for a primary care provider and $20 for a specialist.
If there are two numbers listed, one is for an in-network provider while the other is for an out of network provider. If your insurance company charges a coinsurance, you will have a percentage listed instead of a flat rate. If your coinsurance is 20 percent, you will be responsible for paying 20 percent of the total cost of the medical service.
What is my Medicare policy number?
A lot of the same basic information will be listed on your Medicare health insurance card such as your name and insurance contact information. Your medicare policy number is typically your social security number with a letter or letter and number combination at the end that identifies the type of beneficiary you are.
If you are the primary beneficiary, your policy number will be your social security number followed by an A. If you are eligible for Medicare based on your spouse’s work history, your Medicare policy number will end in a B.
Your Medicare card will also list what types of Medicare you have and the effective date you were enrolled in them. It will say whether you have Part A, which are hospital benefits, or Part B, which are medical benefits, or both. If you have Medicare Part C through a private Medicare Advantage plan, you should receive a separate card. Your Medicare card also lists your sex and requires you to sign it before using it.
What are examples of other insurance policy numbers?
Other insurance companies have set formulas for their policy numbers to make them easier to identify. For example, most Horizon NJ Direct policy numbers start with NJX3HZN followed by a unique group of numbers that are individual to you. Your group number will also be listed on this card.
Your policy number is typically listed on the front of your insurance card along with other basic information to verify your identity and eligibility for benefits.
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[su_spoiler title=”References:” icon=”caret-square” style=”fancy” open=”yes”]
- http://blog.cdphp.com/how-to/understanding-health-insurance-id-card/
- https://www.medmutual.com/For-Individuals-and-Families/Health-Insurance-Education/Compare-Health-Insurance-Plans/HMO-vs-PPO-Insurance.aspx
- https://www.medicare.gov/forms-help-and-resources/your-medicare-card.html
- https://q1medicare.com/q1group/MedicareAdvantagePartD/Blog.php?blog=What-does-the-letter-after-my-Medicare-number-mean-&blog_id=183&frompage=10
- http://shbp.horizonblue.com/education-center/how-read-your-id-card
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