December 9, 2025
book icon
2 min read

Types of Insurance Cards

Types of Insurance Cards

There are different types of insurance cards that are used in different circumstances, and this article will help you find the insurance information you need. The types of insurance cards we’ll discuss are medical insurance cards, pharmacy benefit insurance cards, and Medicaid insurance cards. 

What’s the difference between a medical insurance card and a pharmacy benefits insurance card?

Some people may have one insurance card that covers them for medical expenses (like the doctor or hospital) and also includes pharmacy benefits (to cover medications), but often times these are two separate cards with different identification numbers. 

Medical card example:

aetna  Insurance Card example

Pharmacy card examples:

cvs caremark insurance card exampe
express scripts insurance card example

Pharmacies typically need a pharmacy benefits card to process a prescription for medication, which contains an RxGroup, RxPCN, and RxBIN number in addition to the Member ID number. “Rx” is another way to refer to a prescription. Medical cards usually only have a Member ID number. If your insurance only sent you a medical insurance card in the mail, you can typically find your pharmacy benefits information online or by calling your insurance (look for the phone number for Member Services on the back of your card). 

Feature Medical Insurance Card Prescription Card (Pharmacy Benefits Card)
Purpose Used for medical care: doctor visits, hospitals, labs Used for prescription coverage at pharmacies
Where It’s Used Clinics, hospitals, specialists, urgent care CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, grocery-store pharmacies, independent pharmacies
Key Numbers Included Member ID, Group Number, Plan Type RxBIN, RxPCN, RxGroup, Member ID
Does It Cover Medications? No Yes
Typical Providers Aetna, Blue Cross, Kaiser, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, OptumRx, Prime Therapeutics
Combined With Rx Info? Sometimes (on single-card plans) Sometimes included on back of medical card
What the Pharmacy Needs Not sufficient for prescriptions Required to process and bill medications
Common Issue Patients try to use it for prescriptions, but it lacks Rx numbers Patients don’t realize this is a separate card from medical insurance

What do RxBIN and RxPCN stand for and what do they do?

RxBIN stands for Bank Identification Number, which helps the pharmacy figure out which insurance company’s prescription plan to process. RxPCN stands for Processor Control Number and is another unique identifier to help the pharmacy identify you. It’s important for the pharmacy to have this information to find your coverage and get coverage for your prescriptions. 

Do Medicaid insurance cards look different from other insurance cards?

Medicaid provides free or low-cost health coverage to millions of Americans, including people with low income, families and children, pregnant people, and people with disabilities.

Medicaid cards look different for each state and will not contain an RxGroup, RxPCN, and RxBIN number, only a Member ID number. If you have a Medicaid managed care plan, then you should still be able to access pharmacy benefits information. For people with Medicaid coverage, many states will require you to switch to a managed care plan after 30 days. Below is an example of a Florida Medicaid card and a FL Medicaid managed care card. Note that the gold Medicaid card only has a Member ID, whereas the managed care plan lists the Member ID, RxBIN, RxPCN, and RxGroup numbers. 

state of florida medical insurance card

What if I can’t find the RxBIN, RxPCN, or RxGroup number on the card?

The first tip is to check the back of your card, it’s not always on the front! Most pharmacy cards will have all four pieces of information (Member ID, RxGroup, RxPCN, and RxBIN numbers), but there are a few exceptions of plans that do not have all four numbers and can still be accepted. 

The two most important pieces of information to provide are your Member ID and RxBIN in order for the pharmacy to find your health insurance coverage. Providing the RxGroup and RxPCN numbers can help the pharmacy find your health insurance info even faster and more accurately. 

For example, Aetna cards sometimes only have a Member ID number and a RxBIN number. 

aetna insurance card example

If you only have a medical insurance card and need to find your pharmacy benefits information, you can contact your insurance for this information. For tips on how to call your insurance company, check out our article here.  

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What is an insurance card?
An insurance card is a physical or digital card issued by your health insurance provider. It contains information about your plan, including your member ID, group number, and sometimes prescription coverage details. It’s used to verify your insurance when visiting a healthcare provider or pharmacy.

2. What is RXPCN on an insurance card?
RXPCN stands for “Prescription Processor Control Number.” It identifies the network your pharmacy uses for processing your prescription claims.

3. Where to find RX BIN number?
The RX BIN (Bank Identification Number) is typically listed on the front of your insurance card in the prescription section. It’s a 6-digit number used by pharmacies to route prescription claims to the correct insurance company.

4. What is RXGRP on an insurance card?
RXGRP stands for “Prescription Group Number.” It identifies the specific benefit plan for your prescription coverage within your insurance provider.

5. Is RXGRP the same as group number?
Not always. The group number generally refers to your medical insurance plan, while RXGRP specifically refers to your prescription drug plan. Sometimes they are the same, but not necessarily.

6. What does PCN mean on an insurance card?
PCN stands for “Processor Control Number.” It’s used by pharmacies to help route your prescription claims within the insurance network. It often works alongside the BIN number.

7. What does a medical card look like?
A medical insurance card typically includes:

  • Insurance company name and logo
  • Member name
  • Member ID number
  • Group number
  • RX information (BIN, PCN, RXGRP) if the card includes prescription coverage
  • Sometimes the plan type and contact numbers

8. What is a PCN number for insurance?
The PCN number is used by pharmacies to identify how your prescription claims should be processed under your insurance plan. It works with the BIN number to route claims correctly.

9. What is a prescription card?
A prescription card (sometimes called a pharmacy card) is used specifically for drug coverage. It may be separate from your main insurance card or included on it, and includes your RXBIN, RXPCN, and RXGRP numbers so pharmacies can process your prescriptions.

— 

Need additional help? If you have an account with Twentyeight Health you can reach out to contact@twentyeight health or text us at (929) 352-0060 and our customer service team will support you. You can also reach out to Member Services of your insurance company (their phone number is typically on the back of your insurance card). 

Written with the participation of
Dr. Eddie Garcia
Questions answered on the go.
Enjoy unlimited messages with a medical provider.
doctor follow up after online consultation and prescription
Be prepared, Always.
Plan B with $0 copay with insurance.
ella ulipristal acetate tablet 30 mg online prescription and delivery
Everybody loves free stuff.
Get free OTC products with our Standard Care Plan!
sexual health products to order online
The brand that you need
More than 100 brands 
available for you.
order birth control pills online , 100+brands available
Friends Help
Friends
Give 1 month FREE, Get 1 month FREE.
friends discussing sexual health
What do you want to know?
Get the Care 
Your Skin Deserves
Insurance or self-pay options available
cream application, skincare, skin health , acne treatment
previous icon
Learn More