Past Issues

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) has revised its clinical practice standards and diabetes treatment recommendations for 2003. Among the updates are revisions to the Standards of Medical Care for Patients with Diabetes Mellitus and changes to the recommendations for the treatment of hypertension and nephropathy.

Physician office managers and billing staff! Mark your calendars and join us at one of the upcoming BlueNews Seminars to be held during May and June. Your office should receive an invitation and RSVP form.

For some time, BlueCare members enrolled in Health Options’ diabetes disease management program have been able to get free glucose monitors to help them manage their diabetes more effectively.

Effective small business management includes the timely processing of a variety of federal tax obligations, such as employment, excise, income and estimated taxes.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida and its HMO subsidiary, Health Options, have adopted national guidelines for preventive services and disease management. Our goal is to help our members attain optimal quality of life by supporting physicians in their effort to effectively manage our members’ health.

Patients with written asthma action plans are less likely to suffer a fatal asthma attack, according to The American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. The written plan should direct the patient to adjust medications in response to specific signs, symptoms and peak flow measurements, and should state when to seek medical help.

BlueLine’s February issue reported that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida was in the early stages of streamlining the PPO claims process for physicians and other health care providers.

We want to hear from you! The annual BlueCard Provider Satisfaction Survey will be conducted this year between May and August. An independent research company will conduct telephone interviews among a random sample of physicians and providers who have seen BlueCard members within the past year. If you receive a call, please take the time to give us your input. Your feedback enables us to better serve your needs.

The BlueCard Program was developed to support the processing of claims for out-of-area Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) members. All BCBS Plans participate in the program. In 2002, more than 80 million claims were processed through BlueCard.

The following tests* are not covered in the diagnosis (all ICD-9 diagnoses) and management of dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease (CVD) because they do not meet Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida’s technology assessment criteria:

A patient-centered approach to prescribing should include generic medications. AB-rated generic medications are safe and effective alternatives to brand-name products. By prescribing generic drugs whenever possible, patient prescription drug costs can be reduced.

The Preferred Medication List and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) Formulary are guides for members with three- and two-tier prescription plans, respectively.