To receive benefits under the BP Medical Plan, you must submit all claims to the applicable claims administrator within 12 months of the date of service. Any claims that the claims administrator receives more than 12 months after the date of service will not be paid.

Need help with claims issues?

The Advocacy Service is available to help you with issues regarding health care claims and services. Advocacy team members work with you and the claims administrator to understand, research and resolve claims issues.

You must make at least one attempt to contact and resolve your issue directly with the appropriate claims administrator before contacting the Advocacy Service.

To reach the Advocacy Service, call the BP Benefits Center. Keep in mind that your issue may not necessarily be resolved in your favor, as the terms of the plan will apply in all situations.

Responsibility for filing claims

The following can help you determine when providers will file claims on your behalf and when you must file claims directly with the appropriate claims administrator.

	PPO Options	Out-of-Area Options
Medical and behavioral health care
In-network	Provider files medical claims.	You may have to pay for services at the time you receive them and file a claim with Aetna for reimbursement.
Out-of-network	You pay for services and file a claim with Aetna.	You pay for services and file a claim with Aetna.
Prescription drugs
In-network	Provider files claims.	Provider files claims.
Out-of-network	You pay for services and file a claim with ESI.	You pay for services and file a claim with ESI.

To file a claim for reimbursement, you will need to submit the following to the claims administrator:

A completed claim form.
All itemized bills indicating the date of service, description of service provided, diagnosis, name of the provider and charges incurred.

You can request claim forms from the claims administrator or download them from the claims administrator’s Internet site. A list of claims administrators is available under Administrative Information.

If you have other medical coverage

Periodically, a claims administrator will ask you to provide information about other medical coverage you and/or your eligible dependents may have. This request may occur in connection with a claim you have submitted. In that case, you will be advised that the other medical coverage information, including an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from the other coverage’s administrator, is required before your claim can be processed.

Your claim will not be processed until you comply with the claims administrator’s request.

Health Care Spending Account (HCSA) Debit Card

Your share of the cost for eligible medical expenses you incur may be paid to the provider through your HCSA Debit Card, if you contribute to the HCSA and have an available balance in your account. Note: You cannot use the HCSA Debit Card outside the U.S.

Publication date: April 2012

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