UFCW LOCAL 1776 and PARTICIPATING EMPLOYERS
                                  HEALTH and WELFARE FUND
 

How the BlueCard PPO Program Works
If you or your eligible dependents live or travel outside the area served by the Personal Choice Network and need medical care, follow these easy steps:

   Call the BlueCard Access line at 1-800-810-BLUE (2583) or visit the BlueCard Provider Finder website at www.bcbs.com to find a participating Blue Cross/Blue Shield PPO physician or hospital in your location. This toll-free number is printed on the back of your identification card.
   Go to the closest participating PPO physician or hospital in your location and present your identification card.
   Call Independence Blue Cross at 1-800-332-2566 for pre-certification/prior authorization when you live or travel outside the Personal Choice Preferred Provider Network area. Important Pre-Certification Note: Certain services and treatments (such as inpatient admissions) require advance approval. When you use Personal Choice preferred providers, they take care of this for you. However, when you are outside the area served by the Personal Choice Network, you will have to call and obtain these approvals yourself.
   Call the Member Services telephone number on the back of your ID card for any other inquiries.
   As always, in an emergency seek immediate care from the nearest health care provider.