A Guide to Paying Your Premera Blue Cross Bill Online, By Phone, or By Mail

Having health insurance through Premera Blue Cross provides important protection when you need medical care But keeping up with paying your monthly premium bills is essential to maintain coverage Premera offers several options to pay your bill conveniently including online, phone, and mail.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain the available methods for paying your Premera Blue Cross bill. Whether you get insurance through an employer plan or buy your own policy, understanding the payment process helps avoid any gaps in coverage

Online Bill Pay on Premera’s Website

The quickest and easiest way to pay your Premera bill is online through their member website. Here are the key details on paying online:

• You must have an account on Premera’s secure member website. If you don’t have one yet you can register at premera.com.

• Sign into your account and access the Billing section. Here you can view your account balance and premium due.

• Click the “Pay Now” button to make a payment by debit card or bank account. You can pay the total amount due or make a partial payment.

• The site allows you to setup recurring payments to have your premium automatically withdrawn each month. This ensures your bill is always paid on time.

• Online payments post to your account immediately allowing quick confirmation the bill is paid.

Paying online is the best option if you want fast processing, recurring payments, and instant payment confirmation. Just log into your account portal on Premera.com to get started.

Paying Your Bill By Phone

If you prefer to speak with someone directly to pay your bill, Premera has dedicated call centers for assistance:

• To pay your individual or family policy bill, call 1-888-987-6650.

• For employer-sponsored plans, call 1-866-396-0197.

• When you call, a representative can take your payment information over the phone by credit/debit card or bank account.

• They can also review your account balance, confirm your most recent payments, and answer any billing questions.

• Phone payments are fast and convenient, but do not offer recurring/automatic options. You have to manually call each month.

Paying by phone is a viable option if you like talking through payments or need personal assistance. Just have your account information and payment details handy when you call.

Sending Payments By Mail

For those who prefer paying bills the old-fashioned way, Premera still accepts payments sent through the mail. Here are the instructions for mailing your payments:

• Payments should be sent to the address corresponding to your payment mode:

  • Standard mail: PO Box 743982, Los Angeles, CA 90074-3982

  • Overnight mail: 2700 Media Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90065-1733

• Include your payment coupon or write your account number on the check to ensure proper crediting.

• Allow 7-10 days for standard mail payments to process and avoid any late fees.

• Overnight mail speeds up processing but costs significantly more in postage fees.

• Consider requesting recurring Auto Bill Pay so checks are automatically mailed monthly.

Mailing in payments gives you a payment record and avoids online/phone transactions. But build in processing time and consider going paperless.

Setting Up Recurring Auto Bill Pay

The most convenient way to ensure your Premera premium is paid on time every month is by setting up recurring payments, also called Auto Bill Pay.

With recurring payments, the amount due is automatically paid from your bank account or credit card each month. Here’s how to set it up:

• Log into your account on Premera.com and access the Billing section. Click “Setup Auto Bill Pay”.

• Choose the account you want payments withdrawn from and the withdrawal date. Try setting it a few days before your bill’s due date.

• Premera will withdraw the monthly premium owed on the date selected each billing cycle.

• You’ll receive an email confirmation when payments are processed.

• You can cancel or change your Auto Bill Pay terms anytime by updating your account.

Having payments automatically withdrawn ensures you never miss a payment. Just monitor your monthly statements for accuracy.

Avoid Late Payments and Lapses in Coverage

One important tip when paying your Premera bill is to closely follow your due date and grace period:

• Premium payments are due by the 1st of the coverage month.

• You have a grace period until the 15th to pay before the bill is considered late.

• If your payment still isn’t received after 30 days, your policy can be cancelled for nonpayment.

• This results in a lapse in coverage which could be problematic if you need medical services.

Avoid headaches by paying at least a few days before your due date. Setup Auto Bill Pay so you never miss the deadline. Maintain continuous coverage by keeping payments current.

Make Partial Payments to Keep Coverage Active

If you can’t pay your full balance due, Premera allows you to make a partial payment to keep your coverage active:

• Partial payments do not satisfy your full premium owed, which will accrue a balance.

• But paying partially is better than not paying at all and allows you to continue benefits.

• You can pay online, by phone, or mail. Just indicate you intend to make a partial payment.

• Follow up with additional payments as soon as possible to cover the remaining amount owed.

Being short on a payment is not ideal. But partial payments demonstrate good faith while you gather the full funds needed.

Change Your Payment Date to Align with Your Paycheck

Having trouble making payments on time? You may be able to change your payment due date:

• Premera bills are generated on the same day each month, such as the 5th. This serves as your due date for the next coverage month.

• You can request to change this billing date by calling customer service. For example, move it closer to the day you get paid.

• Shifting your billing date allows better alignment with your paycheck deposit schedule.

• Process changes can take 1-2 billing cycles so request early.

Aligning your billing and payment dates takes some planning, but prevents missed payments down the road.

Know Your Billing Period and What’s Covered

Finally, be sure you understand your specific billing period and coverage terms when paying Premera premiums:

-Billing periods are typically a calendar month, but can also be bi-weekly or weekly. Know your cycle.

-Only services rendered during an active coverage period are eligible for benefits.

-If your coverage lapses due to nonpayment, medical services are not covered.

-Read your policy documents carefully and ask questions if unsure. Accurately paying premiums keeps benefits intact.

The bottom line is diligently paying your Premera bill on time ensures continuous health coverage you can rely on. Use online, phone, mail or auto pay options to maintain a healthy payment schedule. Reach out to customer service if you ever have billing questions or need assistance. Consistent premium payments provide peace of mind when the unexpected happens.