How to Pay Your Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Bill
Where and how to send your Anthem payment
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield accepts payments through several channels, and the method you choose affects how fast your payment reaches them and whether you can set it up to happen automatically. You can pay online through your member account, by phone, by mail, or through automatic bank transfers. The online portal and automatic transfers are the fastest—payments post within one to two business days. Phone and mail payments take longer and require you to have your member ID and billing statement handy.
To pay online, log into your Anthem account at anthem.com or through the mobile app, navigate to the billing section, and enter your payment amount and method. You can use a debit card, credit card, or bank account. If you pay by phone, call the customer service number on your bill—not a general Anthem number—because routing matters. Mail payments should go to the address printed on your statement, and you should mail them at least ten business days before your due date to account for postal delays.
Automatic payments (also called recurring payments or autopay) pull money from your bank account on a date you choose, usually around your due date. Set this up in your online account under payment settings. Autopay removes the risk of forgetting a payment, but you must have enough money in your account on that date, or the payment will fail and you may face a late fee.
Key Takeaways
- Online payments and automatic bank transfers post within one to two business days, while mail and phone payments take longer and should be sent or made at least ten days before your due date.
- Your member ID and billing statement address are required for phone and mail payments, and the customer service number on your bill routes you correctly.
- Automatic payments remove the risk of late fees but require you to have sufficient funds in your bank account on the scheduled date.
- Late payments trigger late fees and can affect your coverage if the bill remains unpaid for 30 days or more.
- If you cannot pay in full, contact Anthem directly to discuss payment plans or hardship options before your payment is due.
What happens if your payment is late
A payment is considered late if it arrives after the due date shown on your bill. Anthem typically charges a late fee, though the amount varies by plan and state. More importantly, a late payment does not automatically cancel your coverage—you remain insured while the bill is outstanding. However, if your payment is 30 days or more overdue, Anthem may terminate your coverage, and you will lose access to benefits until you pay the full amount owed and request reinstatement.
Late payments also appear on your credit report if Anthem reports to the credit bureaus, which most do after 60 days of non-payment. This can lower your credit score and affect your ability to borrow money in the future. If you know you will be late, contact Anthem before the due date—they may be able to work with you on timing or discuss a payment arrangement.
Setting up automatic payments and managing your account
Automatic payments are set up through your online member account. Log in, find the billing or payment settings section, and select the option to schedule recurring payments. You will choose the amount (usually your full monthly premium), the date each month when the payment should be withdrawn, and the bank account to draw from. Anthem will send you a confirmation email with the details.
You can change or cancel automatic payments anytime through your account, but changes take effect on the next scheduled payment date. If you need to stop a payment immediately, call customer service as soon as possible—email requests may not be processed in time. Keep your bank account information current in your Anthem account; if your bank account closes or changes, your automatic payment will fail and you will receive a late notice.
Review your billing statement each month, even if you have autopay set up. Statements show your premium amount, due date, and any changes to your coverage or cost. If the amount looks wrong, contact Anthem before the due date to dispute it—paying under protest does not protect you from late fees if the bill is ultimately correct.
Payment plans and hardship options
If you cannot pay your full premium by the due date, Anthem may offer a payment plan that breaks your bill into smaller installments over several weeks or months. Payment plans are not automatic—you must request one by calling customer service or contacting your local Anthem office. The sooner you ask, the more options you may have. Anthem is more likely to work with you if you contact them before you miss a payment than after.
Some Anthem plans also offer hardship programs for members facing temporary financial difficulty. These programs may defer a payment, reduce your premium temporarily, or connect you with financial counseling. may be able to access and terms vary by state and plan type. Ask specifically about hardship options when you call; customer service representatives do not always volunteer this information unless you ask.
If you lose income or face a major expense, you may also be able to change your plan to a lower-cost option during the annual open enrollment period or within 60 days of a may have access to life event (such as job loss, divorce, or birth of a child). A lower premium is easier to pay than a higher one, and you do not have to wait until next year to make the change if a may have access to event has occurred.
Understanding your bill and premium due dates
Your Anthem bill shows your monthly premium (the amount you pay to keep your coverage active), your out-of-pocket costs (deductible, copay, coinsurance), and your due date. The premium is what you owe Anthem directly; the out-of-pocket costs are what you pay when you use care. Only the premium payment keeps your coverage active. If you do not pay your premium, your coverage stops, even if you have already paid your deductible.
Premium due dates are usually the first of the month, but check your bill—some plans have different due dates. If your due date falls on a weekend or holiday, Anthem typically considers the payment on time if it arrives by the next business day. However, do not rely on this; mail your payment or schedule it online early enough that delays do not push you past the due date.
If your income changes or you become unemployed, your premium may change at your next renewal date. Anthem will send you a notice of the new amount at least 30 days before it takes effect. If the new amount is unaffordable, you have the right to shop for a different plan or request a payment plan for the new premium.
Paying with different payment methods
Anthem accepts debit cards, credit cards, and bank account transfers online and by phone. Paying with a credit card may earn you rewards points or cash back, but it also means you are borrowing money to pay your insurance premium—you will owe the credit card company interest if you do not pay the card balance in full. Paying directly from your bank account (ACH transfer) avoids interest charges and is the cheapest method if you have the funds available.
Some employers and government programs (such as Medicaid or the Marketplace) deduct Anthem premiums directly from your paycheck or benefits before you receive them. If your coverage is through your employer, ask your benefits department whether they handle premium payments or whether you pay Anthem directly. If you receive a subsidy through the Marketplace, the subsidy is sent directly to Anthem on your behalf, and you only pay the difference between the full premium and the subsidy amount.
What to do if you cannot locate your bill or due date
If you have not received your bill or do not know when your payment is due, log into your online account—the due date and amount are always shown there. If you do not have an online account, create one at anthem.com using your member ID (found on your insurance card). If you still cannot find the information, call the customer service number on your insurance card or any previous Anthem statement.
Anthem typically sends bills by mail 20 to 30 days before the due date, but mail can be delayed or lost. Do not wait for a bill to arrive before paying. Set a calendar reminder for your due date each month, or use autopay so you do not have to remember. If your address has changed, update it in your Anthem account immediately to ensure future bills reach you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Anthem bill with a check?
Yes, you can mail a check to the address on your bill. Write your member ID on the check and mail it at least ten business days before your due date. Checks take longer to clear than online or phone payments, so allow extra time. Keep a copy of the check or note the check number in case you need to track the payment later.
What happens if my automatic payment fails?
If your bank account does not have enough funds on the scheduled payment date, the automatic payment will fail and you will receive a late notice. Update your payment method in your account immediately and make a manual payment right away. Contact Anthem to ask whether they will waive the late fee given the circumstances; some representatives have discretion to do so.
Do I have to pay my deductible before my coverage starts?
No. Your deductible is what you pay out of pocket when you use care, not a payment to Anthem upfront. Your coverage is active as long as you pay your monthly premium on time. You only pay your deductible when you receive medical services and have not yet met the deductible amount for that year.
Can I pay my Anthem bill through a third-party payment app?
Some third-party payment apps (such as bill-pay services) allow you to schedule payments to Anthem, but Anthem does not directly partner with most of them. If you use a third-party app, verify that the payment is going to the correct Anthem address and allow extra time for processing. For the fastest, most reliable payment, use Anthem's official website or call their customer service number directly.
What should I do if I think my bill is wrong?
Contact Anthem customer service before your due date and explain what looks incorrect. They can review your account and explain the charges. If you disagree with the bill, you can request a formal review, but you should still make a payment by the due date to avoid late fees while the dispute is being resolved. Once the review is complete, Anthem will adjust your account if an error is found.