Past Issues

On July 1, 2001, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida and Health Options introduced Healthy Alternatives, a new complementary alternative medicine (CAM) discount program for members.

Recent additions to the Virtual Office (VO) suite of capabilities (called Maintenance Releases) have made the current technology and business processes even better. VO users suggested many of these enhancements.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida’s network of participating laboratories will change Aug. 1. Quest Diagnostics will no longer be a participating PPO laboratory provider.

Cardiac output monitoring using electrical bioimpedance (M0302) is covered when performed for the following indications:

Beginning July 1, 2001, a new logo — a blank suitcase — will appear on the front of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) ID cards to help providers identify non-PPO members who participate in the BlueCard Program.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) and Health Options completed an update to the system for referrals, authorizations, certifications and Virtual Office (VO) medical clearances on June 4, 2001, that will enable us to better serve you.

Florida state law requires that children entering preschool or kindergarten in the 2001-02 school year or who are in child/family day care as of July 2001 must be vaccinated against varicella or show verification of having had chickenpox.

Services provided by physician assistants (PAs) and advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs) must be billed under the supervising physician or physician group’s provider number.

Beginning Aug. 11, an Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) system change for all health plans will expedite claim payments, reduce duplicate claims and improve customer service.

Registered nurse first assistants (RNFAs) are eligible for reimbursement when providing surgical assist services for surgeries that justify an assist.

Our Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Clearinghouse enables providers to send electronic claims not only to Medicare, BCBSF and Health Options but to other commercial carriers, such as Aetna, Cigna, Humana, etc., using a single, electronic pipeline.