Past Issues

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) began adding alpha prefixes to Medicare Supplement (Medigap) contract numbers in October and will phase in the placement of the prefix on ID cards throughout 2001.

BCBSF is committed to processing claims within 30 days after receipt of accurate, complete bills.

Florida state law now requires HMO contracting providers to display a consumer assistance notice in their reception areas.

The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) now requires Medicare+Choice HMOs and their contracting physicians to report specific, accurate and complete patient encounter data.

As you gear up for flu vaccination season this year, keep this important information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in mind:

These guidelines will help you collect correct office copays from your patients when you provide covered services billed with an office location.

Health Options has modified and enhanced its HMO processes to comply with Senate Bill (SB) 1508, known as the "Florida Prompt Payment Bill," which became effective Oct. 1, 2000. Highlights are listed below:

Our BlueCare and Medicare & More HMO products require an office copay for diagnostic tests (excluding radiology and lab services) billed with an office location.

When you submit HMO claims electronically, you must now include the alpha prefix (if one is present on the HMO member ID card) along with the contract number, just as you do when submitting paper claims.

We've redesigned and renamed our PPO product line to give Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida customers who choose PPO coverage more choice and new benefit options.

Are you confused by all the "Blue" lingo?

Off-Label Uses of Trastuzumab (Herceptin®)

Because of the many visitors to our state, Florida physicians and health care providers regularly treat patients whose health coverage is through Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) Plans from other states.

Members can now use a new provider -- called OptionMed -- and have their patient-administered injectable medications delivered to their homes.

Do you know that you can submit Health Options HMO claims electronically to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida?

Flu and Pneumovax Covered for Many Members

It's important for all of us to be prepared for any emergency situation, such as a hurricane or other natural disaster that causes a business interruption.

Getting a busy signal when calling Blue Express for Health Options referrals should be a thing of the past.

Even if you're not a Virtual Office (VO) provider, it's important to understand VO terminology because VO providers often refer their patients to non-VO Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) contracting providers.

Virtual Office (VO) has been improved so that more transactions can be processed electronically.

With this newest release, VO providers can submit claims for our simplified HMO products electronically and receive real-time processing in two to three minutes, including details on reimbursement and member liability.

Virtual Office (VO) uses sophisticated, state-of-the-art technology and user-friendly processes to "virtually" remove walls between BCBSF and its network of physicians and hospitals.

Chlamydia screening is now included as a Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS) 2000 measure.

Annual gynecological exams and regular mammography screenings are two of the most important preventive health measures for women.

Effective Sept. 8, 2000:

Effective January 1, 2001:

More Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida employer groups are choosing our three-tiered pharmacy benefit as part of their health plans.

An interagency Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance (AR) created in 1999 and co-chaired by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institutes of Health has developed a Public Health Action Plan to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance.

Antimicrobial drug resistance is a major health crisis. In the U.S., approximately 90,000 patients die each year as a result of hospital-acquired infections.