August 2019

University of Chicago Retiree Transition to Anthem Medicare Advantage Plan

On Jan. 1, 2019, University of Chicago retirees who were eligible for Medicare Parts A and B were transitioned from the University of Chicago Post-65 Retiree plan through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) to Anthem Medicare Preferred (PPO), a Medicare Advantage plan through Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

The Anthem Medicare Preferred (PPO) plan includes a National Access Plus benefit, which means retirees are free to receive services from any provider, as long as the provider is eligible to receive payments from Medicare. With this benefit, University of Chicago retirees will pay the same cost share for both in-network and out-of-network services. The Anthem Medicare Preferred (PPO) plan offers the same hospital and medical benefits that Medicare covers. It also covers additional benefits that Medicare does not, such as annual routine physical exams. 

The prefix on University of Chicago retiree member ID cards is WZV. These ID cards also show the Anthem Medicare Preferred (PPO) product name, University of Chicago logo and National Access Plus icon. 

Other Reminders:

• To check eligibility and benefits for University of Chicago retirees, submit an electronic 270 transaction through the Availity^® Provider Portal or your preferred web vendor, or call the BlueCard^® eligibility line at 800-676-BLUE (2583), just as you would for other out-of-area Blue Cross and Blue Shield members.
• If prior authorization is required, use the Electronic Provider Access (EPA) tool to submit your request – see the Pre-service Review for Out-of-area Members tip sheet for more information. Requesting pre-service review is not a substitute for checking eligibility and benefits.
• As always, submit all claims electronically to the local plan, BCBSIL. Claims should not be filed with Original Medicare for University of Chicago retirees.
• If you have any questions, contact the number on the member’s ID card.

Checking eligibility and/or benefit information and/or the fact that a service has been preauthorized is not a guarantee of payment. Benefits will be determined once a claim is received and will be based upon, among other things, the member’s eligibility and the terms of the member’s certificate of coverage applicable on the date services were rendered. If you have any questions, call the number on the member’s ID card.

Availity is a trademark of Availity, LLC, a separate company that operates a health information network to provide electronic information exchange services to medical professionals. Availity provides administrative services to BCBSIL. BCBSIL makes no endorsement, representations or warranties regarding any products or services provided by third party vendors such as Availity. If you have any questions about the products or services provided by such vendors, you should contact the vendor(s) directly.

References to other third party sources or organizations are not a representation, warranty or endorsement of such organization. Any questions regarding those organizations should be addressed to them directly. The fact that a service or treatment is described in this material is not a guarantee that the service or treatment is a covered benefit and members should refer to their certificate of coverage for more details, including benefits, limitations and exclusions. Regardless of benefits, the final decision about any service or treatment is between the member and their health care provider.