Past Issues

Since Jan. 1, 2005, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) has been the single point of contact for all BlueCard and other Blue Plan claim inquiries—including Medicare crossover for other Blue Plans.

Hospitals, facilities and physicians who participate in Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida’s HMO network, Health Options, may freely communicate with any member concerning treatment options available to them, including alternative medications.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida now provides eligibility and benefit information on many additional specialties through Availity®1, such as Surgical, Chiropractic and Maternity.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2005, members from some Blue Plans have a Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield health care payment card—a debit card with value-added features to help physicians and providers collect member cost-sharing amounts.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) is the administrator of the State Farm Insurance Companies’ Group Medical PPO Plan effective Jan. 1, 2005.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida has updated its website, adding a number of new and revised materials, including:

Last year Health Options eliminated authorization requirements for routine labor checks provided to our BlueCare (HMO) members in the outpatient setting of a Health Options contracted hospital.