Find Out What's Next

Track your Blue Cross and Blue
Shield of Illinois health insurance
application, learn how to use
your benefits and more.

Family walking through the park during fall

What to Expect

5–7 Days

You'll receive your membership documents within 5–7 days of paying your first premium.

10 Days

Please allow 10 days after enrolling for your member ID card, or your dependents' member ID cards, to arrive in the mail.

15–20 Days

Your coverage will normally start on the first of the month after you apply. For example, your coverage would start May 1st if you applied on April 14th.

After You Apply

Once you've submitted your application, there are a few things you should do to make sure your coverage goes into effect so you can use it:

View Transcript

SPEAKER: Thank you for choosing Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois. We are processing your application. This usually takes just one to two business days. Here's what you can do now. Make your first month's premium payment if you haven't already. This will ensure your coverage will be active as soon as your application is successfully processed.

Go online to afteryouapplyil.com. Track your application status from start to finish by visiting afteryouapplyil.com, where you'll find helpful links and resources, including our handy application tracker tool. Keep in mind you'll need your tracker ID to track your application status. This can be found in the application status email you received.

Finally, in 10 to 14 business days, you'll receive your BCBSIL ID card after your application is successfully processed. You'll also receive your health care plan information booklet so you can check your benefits before you schedule visits, tests, or procedures.

Thank you for choosing Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois for your health care coverage. After you apply, click one of the buttons below to make your first payment, find in network doctors.

Pay Your First Premium

You'll have to pay your first premium payment before your plan starts to cover your care.

Pay Your Premium

Review Your Benefits

The best way to use your coverage is to understand it. Some important new member documents are your:

Member ID card, which you'll receive in the mail soon after enrolling
Member Guide
Contact Guide
Protected Health Information (PHI) or Standard Authorization Form
Annual Drug Lists

Once Your Plan Is Confirmed

So you've submitted your application and made your first premium payment — welcome to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois. Now that you have a BCBSIL plan, you can choose how to use your plan and receive important information.

Sign up for Blue Access for Members^SM

BAM^SM is our secure member portal where you can find information relevant to you and your plan. To create an account, you will need to have your member ID card.

Sign Up for BAM

Verify Your Primary Care Provider (PCP)

If you have an HMO plan, your medical group's name and contact information will be listed on your member ID card. You can change your medical group and search for in-network care anytime by visiting Find Care in your BAM account.

Find Care

Download Our Mobile App

Our mobile app lets you access your BAM account, bill pay and member tools on the go.

Download Our App

Choose Your Communication Preferences

Choose your communication preferences to get your member updates how you want, whether you prefer email, text messages or mail.

Go Mobile

Set Up Auto Bill Pay

Don't miss making a monthly payment. Sign up for Auto Bill Pay through your BAM account to make sure you stay covered and up to date on bills.

Log In to Sign Up