A new calendar year also means a benefit reset for many people – perhaps you’re new to Blue Cross, have a new plan through your employer or the marketplace, or you’ve chosen a Medicare or Medical Assistance (Medicaid) plan administered by Blue Cross. We asked our Account Management and Customer Service teams for their most received questions and are answering them for your ease.

How and where do I access the member portal?

There is a prominent login link on the top of every page of the Blue Cross website. You can also visit bluecrossmn.com/login to learn why an online member account is helpful, and take steps to create yours if needed.

Once in, you can quickly access information and resources such as plan details and coverage, track claims, pay premiums, view your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum, and find in-network doctors and useful wellness tools.

For commercial members – those who receive their health insurance from their employer – and Medicare members, these features can also be accessed via our smartphone apps. This chart determines the right one for your plan type.

For convenience, the username and password of your online account will be the same for the app.

If you have Coupe – an alternative health plan offered by Blue Cross – your card will say so on the front, highlighted in green. Head to www.coupehealth.com and click member login in the upper righthand corner. From there, you can either login or sign up if you haven’t yet done so.

Where is my ID card?

ID cards are generated for new members and existing members with changes to their plan from the previous year. ID cards are issued at the person level, so you and each covered family member will be issued an ID card that will arrive at your home address via U.S. Mail. If you are an existing member who kept the same plan as last year, please continue using your existing ID card. You can also access your ID card electronically, in the online portal applicable to you – Blue Cross or Coupe – and the Blue Care Advisor and BlueCrossMN Mobile navigation solutions available in the app store.

I’m a Medicare member, how does the quarterly over-the-counter allowance benefit work?

The Medicare quarterly over-the-counter (OTC) allowance benefit entitles you to spend a designated amount to order eligible medications and health-related items. OTC medications are a reliable first line of defense for treating minor ailments, reducing the need for doctor visits and saving you money.

The benefit allows you to get over-the-counter items by going to any allowed stores or ordering by phone or online. Read more on Bluecrossmn.com.

The Medicare OTC benefit is included with the following plans:

• Medicare Advantage
• Group Medicare Advantage
• Platinum Blue (Cost)
• Group Platinum Blue (Cost)

There is no additional premium for those who have the OTC benefit included in their plan. The specific OTC benefits vary by plan type, so be sure to review your Evidence of Coverage (EOC).

*Editor’s Note: HMO Minnesota, d.b.a. Blue Plus, is an affiliate of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.