Past Issues

It's flu season again. Last season, influenza vaccination rates in Florida dropped approximately 25 percent from previous years. Please protect your patients; provide them with the flu vaccine.

Before running an ad that mentions your Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida or Health Options participation, send a draft of the ad to our Brand and Marketing Communications Management Department.

A broad choice of hospitals is important to our members. That's why we are pleased to note that for over three decades, we have continued relationships with more than 99 percent of the hospitals in our network.

The quarterly, statewide Physician Advisory Panel met Oct. 24 in Orlando. The panel of 30 physician leaders was established late in 2002 to gain input and feedback from the medical community on Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida strategies, processes and programs.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida is the health care administrator for the Polk County School Board as of Oct. 1, 2003.

As of Oct. 1, 2003, self-administered injectable medications for Publix associates are covered under the Publix Super Markets prescription benefit administered by Advance PCS.

Office visits solely to receive a flu shot are completely covered. Do not collect a copayment.

Physicians and other providers who wish to appeal a claim payment or denial are encouraged to use the Claim Appeal Form available on our website.

Imaging service authorizations from National Imaging Associates, Inc. (NIA) will now appear on our system with an assigned Health Options authorization number within hours.

Physician office managers and billing staff! Join us at an upcoming BlueNews Seminar & Trade Show.

This month, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida/Health Options began its annual Physician Satisfaction Survey. Conducted by an independent company, the survey will run through December.

Select physicians in the Health Options network who performed radiology services in 2002 received a questionnaire in September covering their equipment and procedures.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida and the state of Florida are offering health care coverage to qualified individuals under a new federal program called the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) program.

Want to obtain Admission Certification for a patient? Or find out what services your patient's contract covers? The updated Telephone Directory for Physicians and Providers will help you connect to the right department the first time you call Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida.