BMC Benefits and Your College-Bound Teen

From the July 2019 Benefits eNews

If your teenager becomes a college freshman this fall, you may have questions about what happens if your child needs health care away from home. Most colleges require students to have health insurance, and that's where your BMC benefits come in. Use this benefits checklist to make sure your teen knows how to access and use BMC benefits while away at college.

Medical:

  • Most colleges recommend that students carry their health insurance ID card and up-to-date health, medication, and immunization information with them at all times.

  • Additional medical plan ID cards are available by calling BCBSTX Customer Care at 1-800-521-2227 or go online to bcbstx.com. If you enrolled in the Kaiser HMO medical plan, call 1-800-464-4000 or go online to kp.org.
  • Have your teen download the Blue Access mobile app for Android or iPhone. Use the app to locate doctors and hospitals in the school's zip code and to access your BMC health insurance ID card. Provide your teen with your user name and password for the Blue Cross website.
  • Schedule a doctor visit to get any shots, or yearly physical your son or daughter may need.

Telehealth:

  • Register your teen for MDLIVE telehealth services. MDLIVE services are available any time by phone or online video consultation and are an alternative to a clinic visit for minor illnesses such as a cold or flu. To get started, download the mobile app. Select Activate Benefit Here, under Employer or Insurance Benefits. You’ll be asked to enter your BCBSTX member ID number, which starts with BMY.  More information about telehealth can be found here.

Dental:

  • Delta Dental doesn’t issue ID cards, but electronic cards are available online.
  • Have your teen download the Delta Dental mobile app for Android or iPhone. Use the app to find a dentist in the school's zip code, and view the plan summary and ID card.
  • For information on the Delta Dental plan, please visit the BMC Benefits Guide. If you have questions about your specific dental coverage, contact Delta Dental at 1-800-521-2651.

Prescription Drugs:

  • You can request a prescription drug ID card for your teen at express-scripts.com or by calling 1-866-577-2523.
  • Have your teen download the Express Scripts mobile app for Android or iPhone. Use the app to compare medication costs, manage prescriptions, and activate reminders and alerts, and much more.
  • Provide your teen with your user name and password for the Express Scripts website.

EAP:

  • College can be a stressful time for students and their families. If you or your teen needs help through the transition, the Employee Assistance Program can help.
  • Go online to  magellanascend.com (registration required for first-time access) or call 1-800-327-1393