Past Issues

It’s hurricane season and weather experts expect an active one. Hurricanes and other natural disasters can cause a business interruption.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) announced in June that there is insufficient evidence to recommend for or against routine screening for dementia in older adults.

Maintaining members’ privacy and confidential information has always been a priority at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida. Since April 14, 2003, we have reinforced our efforts to comply with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy provisions.

Physicians are on the front line when it comes to ensuring that children get required immunizations. Fewer children are receiving immunizations, according to recently released HEDIS® scores for 2002.

Serevent® aerosol inhaler (salmeterol), 21 mcg/inhalation is being phased out this summer, according to the manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline, in a move to reduce chlorinated fluorocarbons (CFCs). However, the Serevent® Diskus® inhalation powder, a preferred brand-name prescription, is still available for sale.

Many times claims for well-child exams are returned, delaying payment, because of incorrect coding related to age. The problem occurs when children are close to changing age brackets.

We’re listening! And we’ve made a change that enables you to bill members for services rendered if they have not provided us with “other party liability” (OPL) information.

Dial 800-727-2227 for answers to your claims status and member eligibility and benefits questions. Our new centralized number is designed to make it easier for you to work with us.

Availity, L.L.C., is an independent company formed as a joint venture between Navigy, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc., and HUM-e-FL, Inc., a subsidiary of Humana, Inc.

Health Options’ commercial HMO in North Florida once again has received the National Committee for Quality Assurance’s (NCQA) highest accreditation status of ‘Excellent’ for service and clinical quality that meet or exceed NCQA’s rigorous requirements for consumer protection and quality improvement.

The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has substantially expanded the scope of the 2004 Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS),® a tool that measures and reports health plan performance.

The Manual for Hospitals and Ambulatory Surgical Centers, a comprehensive Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida and Health Options reference guide, is now available on our website, www.bcbsfl.com.

Self-management education played an integral role in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT), the NIDDK’s comprehensive study conducted from 1983 to 1993.

Publix associates in South Florida have the option of choosing either HMO or PPO coverage. The PPO coverage is part of the BlueCard® Program. However, for either coverage, claims for service provided in Florida are submitted to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida.

The Front End Edits (FEE) Manual no longer is available on the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida website.