How to Navigate Provider Finder

CINDY: Hi, I'm Cindy and I'm not only a Rep for Blue Cross and Blue Shield, but I'm also a wife and mother of two boys. I know how challenging it is to find doctors, hospitals or other providers. I'm here to show you how you can use Provider Finder to find a health care provider that is just right for you and your family. So, come on! Let's get started. Provider Finder is an excellent tool to help you find caregivers, hospitals and other providers in your network. From the homepage of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, click onto the Find a Doctor or a Hospital tab at the top of the page. This will bring you to a page that allows you to search Provider Finder as a member or a guest. If you are a member and log in, you can use Provider Finder to help you make more informed health care decisions by getting cost estimates before receiving care and viewing clinical quality ratings from Blue Cross and Blue Shield as well as independent third parties. We're going to search as a guest, so scroll down and click here.

Here you have two options. The first is a guided search. If you are shopping for a plan, searching here will help you find a provider network appropriate for you. If you know the name of your plan, you can use the pull-down bar and select your plan. This type of search will help give you results that feature providers in the network you selected. Your second option at this point is to conduct a broad search. Clicking on “Search All Providers” is a fast way to search using a provider name and/or location. Results from this type of search may include out-of-network providers, so always check with the provider's office before scheduling an appointment. Let’s continue from here with a guided search and click Find a Network Provider. From this page, go to the drop-down menu and select one of the following: First is “I buy it myself” – Choose this option if you have or are shopping for an individual policy such as one purchased on the Affordable Care Act exchange.

The second option is: “Through my employer or my spouse’s employer.” Choose this option if your employer purchases your insurance, even if you contribute to the premium Next is: “Through Medicare” – This includes Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans. You could also select “Through Medicaid” – or other state-run programs. Since my insurance is provided by my employer, I am going to select “Through my employer or my spouse’s employer.” Please select which option works best for you. It will not alter the next step. Select “Through my employer or my spouse's employer." Your next option is to select either “Are you a member” or “are you shopping for an insurance plan?” If you currently are a member of a Blue Cross and Blue Shield health plan, select “I am a member.” If you are looking for a new plan, select “I am shopping for this year". Since I am a member, I will select “I am a member”. Please select the option best for you. It will not change the next step. Use the “Select the type of care I am looking for” option to reveal a dropdown.

Options can vary depending on what you previously selected for “How do you get insurance?” and “Are you a member or are you shopping for an insurance plan?” Since medical care is the most common search, I’ll choose it from this menu. Choose the type of care you need so you get the results you need. Click on “Medical” from the drop-down menu. Your next choice is the state in which you are seeking a provider. Since I live in Illinois, that is the state I am selecting. Further down on the page, this will reveal all the networks available based on your previous answers. If you are a member and know your network, please click on the network. Call the customer service number on the back of your member ID Card if you have a question about your benefits or how to use Provider Finder. If you are shopping for a plan, select a network and continue your search. When you are ready, go to the drop-down menu and select your plan. Choosing the correct plan will help you locate providers in your network. Now you’re ready to focus on finding either a specific provider or those located in your

chosen area. If you know the name of the provider you are searching for, you can enter it here. Or, if you are searching for a hospital or medical facility, this is where you enter that information. I am not looking for a specific provider, but want a list of providers to choose from, so I am going to scroll down to the next options to add information, which is all about finding providers in the right location to choose from. You can enter either your zip code, the city you want to search in or a specific address, like your home or office. This field is required to complete your search so please provide location information here. Once you add the city or zip code, it is time to select your state. Go to the drop-down menu from the drop-down menu. Select the state you are searching in. Provider Finder allows you to adjust how large an area you want to search. The default is 15 miles, but you can adjust higher or lower to fit your needs. At this point, you can click “Find a Doctor or a Hospital” to go directly to search results.

Since I am searching for a family physician to be my primary care provider, I'm going to click on "Who Specializes In". Scroll down through the options and make your selection. Below this area, there are several additional options to help narrow your search. Now I am ready to find the right provider for me. I go to “Find a Doctor or a Hospital”. A list of providers who fit the information you shared is now ready for you. Here you will find the provider's name, location, phone number, and more information. On the left side of the page, you have the option to remove any of the search parameters you previously provided. This will add providers to your search results. You also have the option to narrow your search results by adding additional filters. For detailed information about the provider, click on the provider name. Now, I have access to the information I need to decide what provider is right me for me and my family. Provider Finder has many additional capabilities and information available that you can explore from here.

If you have questions, go to our website at BCBSIL.com, or call us anytime and we can help.