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Policies and Best Practices

SMS texting terms and conditions

Find out when and why we will send you text messages, as well as how to opt out.

Last updated: November 18, 2021

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina1 (Blue Cross NC) 

4613 University Drive, Durham, NC 27707

By providing your mobile phone number(s) to Blue Cross NC,

You acknowledge and represent to Blue Cross NC that you are the current wireless service plan subscriber and/or an authorized user of the mobile phone number(s) that you link to (sign up to receive) the text alert/messages service, or you have been granted permission by the wireless service plan subscriber and/or authorized user of the mobile phone number(s) to enroll the mobile phone number(s) in the service;

You grant Blue Cross NC express permission to send automated text messages to the enrolled mobile phone number(s) through your wireless phone carrier unless and until such permission is revoked in accordance with these Terms and Conditions; and

Blue Cross NC makes all reasonable efforts to honor preferences regarding numbers on Do Not Call Lists, unless you override that Do Not Call List designation by providing your phone number or by changing your preferences in Blue Connect℠. By granting such permission to Blue Cross NC, you are hereby requesting to receive text messages in spite of the fact that your mobile phone number(s) may otherwise be on the federal, or a state's, Do Not Call List and you agree that, to the maximum extent permitted by law, your request overrides any prior Do Not Call request for or related to the Blue Connect℠ texting program you enroll in. You are not required to agree to receipt of text messages in order to purchase any product or service from Blue Cross NC. If you choose to not provide your mobile number, your plan is not impacted, and Blue Cross NC will continue to send important documents regarding your plan via your preferences. Depending on the Blue Connect℠ program you enroll in, you may receive marketing messages in accordance with any state and federal laws. Blue Cross NC is committed to building user trust and confidence by promoting and complying with the use of business practices that help protect the privacy and the security of the customer and their data.

*Terminology: "Alerts", "text Alerts" or "text messages" may be used interchangeably in any other published information about your Blue Cross NC plan. All terms referring to this messaging service are considered bound by these Terms and Conditions.

Short codes: The Blue Cross NC short codes are 38268, 43537, 622583, and 25836

Blue Cross NC offers one-time text message programs as well as subscription text message services on short codes 38268, 43537, and 622583. These text messages may be operational alerts/reminders or educational health content or may contain marketing content based on the communication preferences, authorization provided by the member, and any applicable federal or state laws.

Blue Cross NC offers these text message programs to provide information or resources on topics including but not limited to the following: Operational alerts/reminders such as billing/payment, claims, coverage, digital tools and communication materials, health and wellness tips, medical coverage, medication reminders and health insurance education. Health-related information provided is not meant to replace professional medical advice. Operational information provided is valid only at the time the text message is sent and may change at a later time.

In addition, Blue Cross NC sponsors seasonal contests or sweepstakes that may be participated in through the use of a separate short code, 25836.

To Subscribe to receive text messages from Blue Cross NC: Log into your Blue Connect℠ account and provide your phone number.

NOTE: You can enter promotional contests or sweepstakes by texting a keyword to short code 25836 using your mobile phone during the contest or sweepstakes period. You will be entered in that single contest or sweepstakes only and will need to enter any future contests or sweepstakes separately.

To stop receiving text messages: Text messages can be canceled at any time by logging into your Blue Connect℠ account and updating your contact preferences.

OR

Replying STOP from your mobile phone.

When responding with STOP, you will receive one final confirmation text message from Blue Cross NC saying that you will no longer receive text messages from that short code. If you change your preferences through Blue Connect℠ as described above, it may take up to 72 hours for your changed preferences to take effect. During this 72-hour period, you may receive additional text messages from Blue Cross NC. You agree that your prior express consent to receive text messages shall continue indefinitely unless and until you cancel your prior consent.

NOTE: When you have allowed text messages specifically for a contest or sweepstakes, you may reply STOP from your mobile phone or do nothing. When the contest or sweepstakes is over, you will not receive further texts for the contest and/or sweepstakes. Changing your preferences in "How We Contact You" (as described above) will not stop contest and/or sweepstakes notifications.

If revoking your consent by texting STOP to the text message you have received, your text response should contain only the word STOP without any additional words, spaces or characters either before or after the word STOP. This will opt you out of the text message type to which you have responded.

Blue Cross NC will reasonably endeavor to comply with other text communications sent in which you indicate a clear and unmistakable intent to revoke your prior permission; however, you (a) understand that these messages go to a short code number that is entirely automated (is not monitored by a human) and the ability of our short code box to interpret your intent is severely restricted and, therefore, (b) you understand that unless you reply only with the word STOP, your intent to revoke your prior express permission may not be effective.

Furthermore, by agreeing to receive text messages, you hereby grant Blue Cross NC express permission (without qualification) to respond to your cancellation request (whether that request came through Blue Connect℠ or by texting STOP) with a confirmation of cancellation text message that will confirm receipt of your cancellation request as well as indicate that you will no longer receive text messages from Blue Cross NC. Furthermore, you agree that Blue Cross NC will reasonably attempt to send you the confirmation of cancellation text message in a timely manner.

Blue Cross NC will use automated technology to deliver text messages to you. By your activation of text messages in Blue Connect℠, you give your consent to Blue Cross NC to use such equipment to deliver automated text messages to the telephone or cell phone number(s) to which you have directed Blue Cross NC to send these text messages.

Get help or support: To get help or answers to your questions, call 800-446-8053. From your mobile phone, you can request that we send you an additional text message that will include relevant contact information by replying HELP to the text message you received.

Pricing: Message and data rates may apply. Blue Cross NC does not charge a fee for text messages, but mobile phone carrier charges may apply. Check with your wireless phone carrier for your plan details. By providing your phone number to Blue Cross NC, you approve any such charges from your mobile carrier. Charges for text messages or data usage may appear on your mobile phone bill or be deducted from your prepaid balance by your mobile carrier.

Message frequency: Number of messages received varies per user. If you have opted in to receiving health, educational or marketing engagement messages via text, you expressly consent to receive text messages on these topics no more frequently than three (3) times per week. If you have opted into service-related/operational messages on Blue Connect℠, these messages may exceed three (3) times per week depending on frequency and type of service-related message you request to receive.

If you have opted into Blue Connect℠ text messages, you expressly consent and acknowledge that some messages are sent based on your interaction with your health plan or the website and will vary depending on your activity.

If you have opted into Blue Cross NC contests or sweepstakes, you expressly consent to receive text messages during the contest period, no more frequently than four (4) messages per month. Msg & Data Rates may apply.

Supported Carriers List: Compatible carriers include the following.

  • AT&T
  • Sprint
  • T-Mobile®2
  • Verizon Wireless
  • Boost
  • Cricket
  • MetroPCS
  • U.S. Cellular
  • Virgin Mobile
  • ACS Wireless
  • Appalachian Wireless
  • Bluegrass Cellular
  • Breakaway Wireless
  • Cabelvision (Optimum Mobile)
  • Carolina West Wireless
  • Cellcom
  • Cellular One of East Central Illinois
  • Centennial Wireless
  • Chariton Valley Cellular
  • Chat Mobility (Hawkeye)
  • Cincinnati Bell Wireless
  • Coral Wireless
  • Cox Mobility
  • Cross/ Sprocket
  • C-Spire Wireless (formerly Cellsouth)
  • CTC Telecom
  • DTC Wireless (Advantage Cellular)
  • Duet IP (AKA Max/Benton/Albany)
  • Element Mobile, Epic Touch
  • GCI Communications, Golden State
  • Illinois Valley Cellular
  • Immix (Keystone Wireless/ PC Management)
  • Inland Cellular
  • iWireless
  • Leaco
  • Mobi PCS
  • Mosaic
  • MTPCS/Cellular One (Cellone Nation)
  • Nemont
  • Nex-Tech Wireless
  • nTelos
  • NW Missouri Cellular (Hawkeye)
  • Panhandle Telecommunications
  • Peoples Wireless
  • Pioneer
  • Pine Cellular
  • Plateau
  • Revol
  • Rina - Custer
  • Rina - All West
  • Rina - Cambridge Telecom Coop
  • Rina - Eagle Valley Comm
  • Rina - Farmers Mutual Telephone Co
  • Rina - Nucla Nutria Telephone Co
  • Rina - Silver Star
  • Rina - Syringa, Rina - UBET
  • Rina - Manti
  • Rural Cellular Corporation
  • SI Wireless
  • Simmetry
  • SouthernLINC
  • SRT
  • Strata Networks
  • Thumb Cellular
  • Union Wireless
  • United
  • Viaero Wireless
  • West Central Wireless

Additional carriers may be added at any time. This service may not be available on all carriers.

Changes in terms: Blue Cross NC reserves the right to change these Terms and Conditions or cancel Blue Cross NC text messaging at any time. Your continued use and acceptance of text messages from Blue Cross NC after changes are made to the Terms and Conditions will be deemed acceptance of the Terms and Conditions as modified by the posted changes. Therefore, please check these Terms and Conditions on a regular basis.

No warranties: Blue Cross NC makes no representations or warranties whatsoever regarding text messages. Blue Cross NC hereby disclaims all warranties, including any implied representations or warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

Limitation of liability: To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, you hereby agree that Blue Cross NC shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or any other damages, even if Blue Cross NC has been advised of the possibility of such damage or loss, arising or resulting from or in any way relating to your use of Blue Connect℠ text messages. The wireless carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. Furthermore, Blue Cross NC shall not be liable for the acts or omissions of third parties, including but not limited to delays in the transmission of messages.

Indemnity: To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, you expressly agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Blue Cross NC, its directors, officers, employees, servants, agents, representatives, independent contractors and affiliates from and against any and all claims, damages, liabilities, actions, causes of action, costs, expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees), judgments or penalties of any kind or nature whatsoever arising from your use or receipt of Blue Cross NC text messaging.

Governing law: These Terms and Conditions shall be bound by the laws of the State of North Carolina, and any arbitration or judicial proceedings to enforce or interpret these Terms and Conditions hereof may be brought only in the State of North Carolina.

Blue Connect℠ Terms and Conditions incorporated herein: You agree that for all matters not explicitly addressed herein, including general terms applicable to both email and text messages, the Blue Connect℠ Terms and Conditions shall apply and are incorporated herein by reference. In addition, you hereby reaffirm your agreement to those Blue Connect℠ Terms and Conditions.