Where to pay your Anthem Blue Cross premium

Anthem Blue Cross (the health insurance division of Anthem Inc.) lets you pay your monthly premium through several channels. The fastest and most direct route is their online payment portal at anthem.com, where you can pay with a bank account or debit card without creating an account if you have your member ID handy. You can also mail a check to the address printed on your bill, call their payment line at the number on your insurance card, or set up automatic payments so the amount withdraws on the same date each month.

If you receive your bill by mail, the envelope usually includes a payment stub with a specific mailing address — use that address rather than a general corporate address, because bills are sorted by account number. Payment by mail typically takes 7 to 10 business days to post to your account, so send it early if your due date is approaching.

Key Takeaways

  • You can pay Anthem Blue Cross online at anthem.com, by phone using the number on your insurance card, by mail with a check, or through automatic bank withdrawals.
  • Online and phone payments usually post within one business day, while mailed checks take 7 to 10 business days.
  • Setting up automatic payments prevents missed payments but requires you to update your bank information if your account changes.
  • If you cannot pay the full amount by the due date, contact Anthem before the deadline to discuss payment plans or hardship options.

Paying online or by phone

The online portal at anthem.com is open 24 hours and does not require you to log in if you have your member ID (the number on your insurance card). Enter your member ID, date of birth, and the amount you want to pay. You can use a debit card or link a checking or savings account. Payments made before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time usually post the next business day.

If you prefer to speak with someone, call the payment phone number on your insurance card. A representative can take your payment over the phone using a debit card or bank account. This route is useful if you have questions about what amount is due or if you need to discuss a payment arrangement. Phone lines are typically available during business hours, Monday through Friday.

Setting up automatic payments

Automatic payments (sometimes called autopay or recurring payments) withdraw your premium from your bank account on a date you choose each month. To set this up, log into your Anthem account at anthem.com, go to the billing section, and select the automatic payment option. You will need your routing number and account number from a blank check or your bank's website.

Automatic payments reduce the risk of missing a due date, but you are responsible for making sure the amount in your account is correct each month. If your premium changes — because your plan changes, your family size changes, or you receive a subsidy adjustment — you may need to update the payment amount. If your bank account closes or changes, update your payment method in your Anthem account right away to avoid a failed payment.

What happens if you miss a payment

If your payment does not arrive by the due date on your bill, Anthem will send you a notice (usually by mail) giving you a grace period to pay. The grace period is typically 30 days from the due date, though this varies by state and plan type. During the grace period, your coverage remains active, but you are responsible for any claims that occur while your account is past due.

If you do not pay by the end of the grace period, Anthem may terminate your coverage. Once coverage ends, you lose the right to use your health plan, and you will need to go through the enrollment process again to restart it. Some people are then unable to re-enroll until the next open enrollment period, which can leave you without coverage for months. If you know you cannot pay on time, contact Anthem before the due date to discuss a payment plan or hardship options.

Paying a past-due balance

If your account is past due, you can still pay online, by phone, or by mail using the same methods described above. When you log into your account or call, the system will show your past-due amount separately from your current month's premium. You can pay the past-due amount alone, the current month alone, or both together.

Paying the past-due balance does not automatically restart your coverage if it has been terminated. Contact Anthem's customer service to confirm that your coverage will be reinstated once payment is received. Ask them to put a note on your account that you have paid or are paying, because this can prevent your account from being sent to collections while your payment is processing.

Subsidies and cost-sharing reductions

If you receive a premium tax credit or cost-sharing reduction through the health insurance marketplace (healthcare.gov or your state's exchange), your bill amount may be lower than the full premium. The marketplace sends the subsidy directly to Anthem, and your bill shows only the amount you owe after the subsidy is subtracted.

If your income or household size changes during the year, your subsidy amount may change. The marketplace will notify you, and your bill will adjust the next month. If you received too much subsidy during the year, you may owe money back when you file your taxes. If you received too little, you may get a refund. Keep your marketplace account updated so your subsidy stays correct and your bill stays predictable.

Employer-sponsored plans and payroll deduction

If your health insurance is through your employer, you typically do not pay Anthem directly. Instead, your employer deducts your premium from your paycheck before taxes (if it is a pre-tax plan) and sends the payment to Anthem on your behalf. Your pay stub will show the deduction, and your employer's benefits team can tell you the exact amount and due date.

If you are self-employed or your employer does not offer health insurance, you would purchase a plan directly from Anthem or through the marketplace and pay the premium yourself using the methods described above. Some self-employed people can deduct their health insurance premiums as a business expense on their taxes, so keep records of your payments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my Anthem bill with a credit card?

Anthem's online portal and phone line accept debit cards and direct bank transfers, but not credit cards. If you want to use a credit card, you could pay your bank account with the credit card first, then use that bank account to pay Anthem, but this adds fees and delays. Check your credit card's cash advance options before trying this route.

What if I pay online but my payment does not show up?

Online payments usually post within one business day. If more than two business days have passed and the payment does not appear in your account, log back into anthem.com and check your payment history to see if the transaction went through. If it shows as pending or failed, try paying again. If you cannot resolve it online, call the number on your insurance card to confirm the payment was received.

Can I change my payment due date?

Anthem sets your due date based on when your coverage begins, and you cannot change it. However, if you set up automatic payments, you can choose the date the payment withdraws from your account — for example, you could have it withdraw on the 1st of each month even if your bill is due on the 15th. This gives you flexibility in managing your cash flow.

What if I cannot afford my premium this month?

Contact Anthem's customer service before your due date to discuss your situation. Some plans offer hardship provisions or payment plans that let you spread the cost over two or three months. If you are on a marketplace plan, you may also be able to adjust your coverage level or switch plans during a special enrollment period if your income has dropped. Do not wait until after the due date — calling early gives you more options.

Do I need to pay if I am switching to a different health plan?

Yes, you owe the premium for any month your Anthem coverage is active, even if you switch plans partway through the month. Your last payment to Anthem covers through your coverage end date. When your new plan starts, you begin paying that plan's premium. Make sure both the old and new plan know your coverage end and start dates so there are no gaps or overlaps in billing.