Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) Billing Guide
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Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) is a division of Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC). HCSC also runs BCBS of Texas. The two have different payer IDs and addresses, so never swap them (BCBSIL billing manual).
Checked 10/1/26.
Quick facts
| Electronic payer ID | The BCBSIL contact page lists 66006 for Medicare Advantage only (contact page). For commercial claims, confirm the ID in the Availity payer list or ask BCBSIL EDI. |
|---|---|
| Plans in the BCBSIL provider materials | Commercial (PPO, Blue Choice PPO, Blue HPN, MyBlue Plus; HMO via medical groups), Blue Cross Community Health Plans (Medicaid), Blue Cross Community MMAI, Blue Cross Medicare Advantage, BlueCard, FEP (claim submission) |
| Paper claims (commercial professional) | BCBSIL, PO Box 660603, Dallas, TX 75266-0603 |
| Timely filing | 180 days from date of service or discharge for professional PPO, Blue Choice PPO and Blue HPN. When BCBSIL is secondary, 180 days from the primary EOB (BCBSIL notice) |
| Provider Customer Service (commercial) | 800-972-8088 |
| Medical Management (commercial) | 800-572-3089 |
| BlueCard eligibility | 800-676-2583 |
| Availity Client Services | 800-282-4548 |
| State regulator | Illinois Department of Insurance, Chicago (312) 814-2420 |
| Provider website | bcbsil.com/provider |
Private payer: appeals
Use Availity Essentials (Dispute Claim and claim reconsideration) or the paper Claim Review Form (claim review).
Private payer: behavioral health
BCBSIL manages behavioral health in-house for most commercial non-HMO members (PPO, Blue HPN, Blue Choice PPO, MyBlue Plus). HMO members' behavioral health is managed by their medical group or IPA. Some employer groups use other vendors (behavioral health program).
Private payer: credentialing
Submit the Provider Onboarding Form. BCBSIL pulls data from the CAQH Provider Data Portal and a committee decides. Credentialed behavioral health types include PsyD, LCSW, LCPC, LMFT and APN/APRN. Contact (join the network).
Medicaid and Medicare
Blue Cross Community Health Plans and Medicare Advantage use different claims boxes (Medicaid: PO Box 650712, Dallas; Medicare Advantage: PO Box 3686, Scranton, PA). Their rules are not the same as commercial.
Frequently asked questions
Which payer ID do I use for BCBSIL commercial claims?
BCBSIL's contact page lists 66006 for Medicare Advantage only. For commercial claims, confirm the ID in the Availity payer list or ask BCBSIL EDI.
How long do I have to file a BCBSIL claim?
180 days from the date of service or discharge for professional PPO, Blue Choice PPO and Blue HPN claims. When BCBSIL is secondary, it is 180 days from the primary EOB.
Is BCBSIL the same as BCBSTX?
No. Both are divisions of HCSC, but they have different payer IDs and addresses. Never swap them.
Who manages BCBSIL behavioral health?
BCBSIL manages it in-house for most commercial non-HMO members. HMO members' behavioral health is managed by their medical group or IPA, and some employer groups use other vendors.
How MCM South helps with BCBS Illinois
MCM South bills Blue plans for psychotherapists and psychiatrists in the states we serve. We verify benefits, submit claims electronically, follow up on denials and appeals, and handle credentialing. Get a free quote. If a BCBS Illinois claim is denied or credentialing stalls, we follow up for you.
MCM South currently serves practices in GA, MA, CT, TX, FL, NY, CO, TN, NC and IL, and has worked in all 50 states. If your state is not on that list, ask us. This page is operational guidance for billing, not legal advice. For real financial or legal exposure, talk to your attorney or compliance officer.
Related: Blue Cross by State · How Blue Cross Blue Shield Works · Billing Terms Glossary · CPT and E/M Code Guide · Who We Serve.
This is the MCM South guide to BCBS Illinois for therapists and psychiatrists: where claims go, how appeals work, and what to check first.
Want a billing team that handles this for you? MCM South bills for psychotherapists and psychiatrists. Get a free quote.