A new year means a new health plan for many. Making the most of your health insurance can be a difference for you and your family. 

Know what changed

Make sure your doctors and pharmacy have the accurate details for your 2025 health plan. You should have received a new insurance card in the mail if any of your details have changed. Many of our members will not need a new card each year. But you can check the details on your digital ID card in My Health Toolkit^® if you’re uncertain. Your most up-to-date insurance card will always be shown in your account.  

You should also consider if the structure of your plan has changed from last year to the new year. This can be as simple as knowing the difference in your monthly premium or which doctors are in network. 

Know your plan 

It is important to understand the basics of your plan every year. A lot of people have BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina insurance. But every health plan is different. And things can change each year. 

People with insurance through the Marketplace may have different benefits than someone with a plan through his or her employer. If you or your spouse work for a large company, the health plan offered to you may be highly customized:
 

• What is your copay? It’s the fixed amount for a covered service you pay to the provider before receiving the service. 
• What is your deductible for the year? It’s the amount you pay toward costs of covered health care services each year before your health insurance begins to pay its part. You may have an individual deductible and a family deductible. 
• What is your coinsurance? It’s the percentage you pay when you and your health insurance split the bill for a health care service.
• What doctors are in network? You can find the physician list or provider directory in your My Health Toolkit account. Knowing what doctors are in your plan’s network can make a big difference in your costs for the year. 

Know your pharmacy details 

Another area to consider is what drugs your plan will cover. This can be particularly important if you take a medication regularly. It will help ensure that you know the cost of your medicine before you pick it up at the pharmacy. Understanding your plan’s pharmacy benefits is just as important as knowing all the basics of your health plan. 

Discuss any changes with your doctor. You should have this conversation with your doctor before refilling the prescription in the new year.

Keep us in the know

If you are the subscriber (or policyholder) of a health plan that covers family members, now is a great time to update the other health insurance (OHI) record for those on your plan. This information tells BlueCross whether we will need to coordinate with other health insurance carriers when paying claims for covered individuals. You can easily provide this information by completing the OHI questionnaire inside My Health Toolkit. Your OHI record needs to be updated at least once a year. 

Know what is free

There are a few things that are free with some BlueCross plans. One of the most common of these is a flu shot. Getting a yearly flu shot is important to protect yourself and others. 

Your health plan may include other free benefits, such as a yearly physical. You can find details for what is included in your plan on My Health Toolkit. 

BlueCross members have access to a lot of plan perks. Because every plan is different, what you have access to varies. In some cases, you may have access to weight management tools or discount services. Explore plan perks.

Know your resources 

There are tools to help you manage your plan. With most BlueCross plans, you will have access to several helpful tools that can help you manage your health and your plan all year. Log in to My Health Toolkit and get to know what is there. The online portal has the answers to many frequently asked questions. It also provides the following:

• You’ll find a physician list, so you know you are visiting an in-network doctor. 
• You have access to your digital ID card(s) so you don’t have to worry if you left your insurance card at home. 
• You can view and manage your claims.
• You can view your Explanation of Benefits (EOB), an important tool for understanding how your health insurance is applied to your health care. 

My Health Toolkit also has a mobile app so that you can access your information from anywhere.

Some members have access to Blue CareOnDemand^℠ Powered by MDLIVE^® that allows you to talk with a doctor anywhere for a low, fixed copay through your phone, tablet or computer. You will find this in My Health Toolkit.  

Know where to get in-person help

If you have any questions or need help navigating your health plan, find help at one of our South Carolina BLUE^℠ Retail Centers. There are locations across the state in Columbia, Mount Pleasant, Myrtle Beach and Greenville. The stores also have other resources available. 

Stay in the know

Follow BlueCross across all social media channels to get health tips, helpful information and nutritious recipe ideas. You can find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also find more helpful information here on our blog. Use these helpful tips for busy people to get the most of your health insurance. 

MDLIVE is an independent company that provides a telehealth platform on behalf of your health plan.