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Bank Draft
Save time and a stamp by switching to bank draft. If you have coverage through Blue Care, Medicare Supplement, State Continuation of Coverage or other Individual products, you can sign up for bank draft and:
- Free yourself of monthly check writing
- Stop worrying about checks being lost or delayed in the mail
- Have a record of payments on your bank statement
- Save postage and the cost of checks
- Make payments on time, even when you are on vacation or out of town
For new Blue Care policies, bank draft is the only acceptable method of payment. If you have any questions about bank drafts, see our Frequently Asked Questions below or call a member of our Customer Service Team 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 601-664-4590 or 1-800-942-0278.
Bank Draft Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I sign up for bank draft?
It's easy! Members with coverage through Blue Care, Medicare Supplement, State Continuation of Coverage or other Individual products can select the Bank Draft page here. You will see a bank draft authorization screen. As you fill out the information, you will copy the bank routing numbers from the bottom of your check, so be sure to have a check from the account you want to use for the bank draft.
Depending on the timing of your bank draft authorization, you may receive a statement in the mail. If you receive a statement, please mail your payment by the due date on the statement. Your bank draft should begin the following billing period.
If you are applying for Blue Care coverage, the bank draft authorization screen is part of the application process.
- Are there any additional costs to participate?
No. Bank drafts save money by saving postage and check costs. There are no additional charges.
- When do the funds leave my account?
Either on the 1st or 15th of the month (or the following bank day if those dates are on a weekend or holiday), depending on your billing cycle. It will remain the same day each month. Some older policies may offer a 6th of the month draft date. The date will be clearly indicated on your form.
- How will I be able to keep track of my account?
Your amount is fixed and will remain on the same day each month. Simply record the amount in your account records on the pre-authorized payment date. The amount of the withdrawal will change only if you make a change in your coverage that impacts your rate or if there is a rate change at renewal.
- If I don't have a check as a receipt, how can I prove that I paid my bill?
Your monthly statement from your bank will include the information about each of our bank drafts, including who the draft went to, the amount paid and the date the payment was made.
- Will I still receive a bill in the mail?
No, not as long as your premium remains the same. You will be notified if the premium amount changes.
- What recourse do I have if I want to dispute my bill?
If you have questions or concerns about your bill and the amount owed, you should call us immediately. You can also issue a stop payment order to your bank to stop any particular payment. Be sure to advise us that you are stopping payment and the reasons for the stop payment. (Banks do charge fees for stop payments on electronic payments, similar to the fee for stopping payments on checks.)
- What are my liabilities if I don't have sufficient funds in my account to pay the bank draft on the authorized payment date?
These would be exactly the same as check payments.
- What should I do if I change banks?
You must fill out the online bank draft form, just as if it were a new bank draft. When completing the form, be sure to include the new bank account and routing numbers. You need to complete the form at least 14 days before the bank draft withdrawal date.
- My bills are confidential. With bank draft, don't I lose that privacy?
No, in fact, you will likely have more privacy with direct payments. As many as 10 people handle a check from the time it is written until the funds are finally transferred from your financial institution to the bank receiving the funds. The amount of information on a check is astounding: your name and signature, your address, often your driver's license number or Social Security number, your telephone number and your bank account number. With bank draft, the transaction passes electronically between us and the banks involved. These electronic files are protected by encryption -- an electronic scrambling of data -- and other security measures.
- Do I have to use a certain bank to participate?
No, virtually every bank has this capability.
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