Past Issues

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc. (BCBSF) and our HMO subsidiary, Health Options, Inc., are committed to quality care and service. We fully support the standards established by federal and state regulatory agencies and the National Committee on Quality Assurance (NCQA).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is projecting that as many as 143 million to 146 million doses of influenza vaccine will be manufactured for use in the United States during the 2008-09 influenza season. This record-breaking supply of vaccine makes it possible for more people than ever to be protected.

On Oct. 12, 2008, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) implemented a system enhancement to allow professional providers to resume using CareCalc^® to estimate financial responsibility for State Employees’ PPO Plan members.

In 2009, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida/Health Options will implement several changes to the benefit structure of BlueMedicare^SM, its portfolio of Medicare Advantage products.

Effective Dec. 1, 2008, EMP Medical Services, Inc. (EMP) will arrange home health and home infusion services for Health Options’ BlueCare HMO and BlueMedicare HMO members in South Florida, replacing Visiting Nurse Managed Care Corporation (VNMCC).

Nissan North America employees may access medical services through the BlueCard^® progam when they receive services from a physician or provider participating with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida.

You can help your Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) patients keep their out-of-pocket costs low by directing them to Quest Diagnostics when laboratory services are needed.

On Oct. 1, 2008, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) introduced the FamilyBlue Medical Discount Card targeting the uninsured population initially in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Passive and active mechanical cooling devices are commercially available that provide cold therapy after musculoskeletal and postoperative orthopedic trauma to reduce inflammation, pain and swelling. However, there is insufficient scientific evidence published to conclude that these cold therapy devices provide any additional therapeutic effect over conventional ice application.

You may be seeing a new ID card with a Medicare Advantage (MA) PPO suitcase logo beginning Jan. 1, 2009. A Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association MA PPO Network Sharing Pilot will be launched in the CMS-approved South Carolina, Tennessee and HealthNow New York (BCBS of Western and Northeastern New York) MA PPO service areas.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida and Health Options (BCBSF) have established a list to identify the number of requirements for Standard Authorizations and Admission Certifications that exist for BCBSF and Health Options plans.

Beginning Nov. 17, 2008, providers may access voluntary pre-service coverage review (VPCR) determinations for advanced imaging services electronically or through Blue Express.

In July, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued new cholesterol screening and treatment recommendations for children and adolescents.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) in June released an updated recommendation to screen for type 2 diabetes in asymptomatic adults with sustained blood pressure (either treated or untreated) greater than 135/80 mm Hg. The Task Force found adequate evidence that lowering blood pressure below conventional target values in adults who have hypertension and diabetes reduces the incidence of cardiovascular events and cardiovascular mortality.

In June, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) updated its guidelines for screening adults for lipid disorders. The major change in the current recommendation is that adult women at any age should be screened only if other risk factors for cardiovascular disease are present; previously the Task Force recommended screening for younger higher-risk women (20-45 years) and all women over 45 years of age.

As of Sept. 1, 2008, all Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida and Health Options pharmacy benefit plans, including BlueMedicare^®, cover low molecular weight heparins (Lovenox^®, Innohep^®, Fragmin^®) and Arixtra^®.

On Oct. 1, 2008, Caremark^® Specialty Pharmacy Services became the preferred participating provider for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) and Health Options members who are prescribed high-cost oral, injectable, infused or inhaled medications to treat chronic diseases.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) implemented a new program Sept. 1, 2008, that provides SNFs with an alternative to purchasing select medications that have been included in their per diem. The new program, which is voluntary, is designed to help improve the efficiency and timeliness of discharges from acute care facilities to participating skilled nursing facilities (SNFs).

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) has reached an agreement with Halifax Hospital Medical Center to purchase Florida Health Care Plans, Inc. (FHCP), a non-profit HMO operating in Volusia and Flagler counties.

In response to the more than 1,700 messages now recorded on the Power of the Human Voice (POHV) website, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) has released on the website the first of many video presentations of BCBSF leaders speaking candidly to health care questions posed on the site.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) ranked number one out of 64 Blue Plans in the Provider Data Quality audit conducted by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) for the second quarter 2008.

Blue Cross health insurance coverage for international Blue members from Jamaica will not terminate on Nov. 1, 2008.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida’s Discounts from Blue program offers discounts on select products and services for your office or personal life.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF)’s HMO subsidiary, Health Options, won the competitive bidding to administer the Florida Healthy Kids Program with our BlueCare HMO product in eight new counties beginning Oct. 1, 2008.

In late September, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) began testing on a limited basis a consolidated 28-day Member Health Statement to replace its per-service explanation of benefits (EOB).