Magnetic Stripe ID Card - Coming to you and your members, SOON!!
What is the advantage of having a magnetic stripe ID card?
There are many advantages of having this new, modern and efficient card! The combination of Availity®, CareCalc, our new ID card and the card readers offers faster access to accurate benefit information when it matters most – at the time of the patient’s visit. The information is current, accurate and provided in a secure and confidential manner. The speed and simplicity benefit both our member and our providers.
When will my members receive their new magnetic stripe ID card?
The deployment schedule is:
Segment Deployment Date Range
Fully Insured Large Groups April 18 – May 1
ASO Large Groups May 2 - 9
Multi-State Groups May 10 -17
Custom Cards (current Non Standard groups) May 30
Group Renewals June 11 - 15
The following are samples of the letters being mailed to members for this deployment:
BlueOptions: BlueChoice:
What are some of the Benefits?
Member benefits
· Faster check-in when the card is swiped
· The cards provide access to the most up-to-date benefits
· By using CareCalc, health care providers in Florida can determine a member’s estimated cost (with a high degree of accuracy/confidence/certainty) for the majority of treatments at the point of service or before they occur, so the member can make more informed health care decisions
· Takes the guesswork out of health care and puts the power of decision-making back into the member’s hand
· The member will be given a receipt detailing out important benefit information such as real-time deductible, coinsurance and copay status.
· Privacy protection – no medical identification information is stored on the card
· Only BCBSF will be able to offer the benefits of CareCalc to its customers
Provider benefits
· Delivers the enhanced ability to access accurate/up-to-date member eligibility and benefit information efficiently and accurately at the time of the visit (FYI - Revised this because there is no payment functionality/capabilities delivered with the mag stripe ID Card – this will be delivered in the future via the Combo Card. Today, the Provider will continue to collect payment from the Member via current/standard processes and procedures)
· Diminished member confusion regarding coverage and increased satisfaction with provider office billing process and accuracy.
· Enhanced provider/patient communication around treatment options, payment, and what is/isn’t covered, as a result of the card providing ready access to up-to-date member benefits and CareCalc
· Easier, faster eligibility and benefits inquiries and billing
General benefits
· Provides our members with information showing the cost of care and their out-of-pocket responsibility at the point of service.
· Enhances the speed and accuracy of accessing eligibility and benefits through Availity
· ID Card is made of a more durable material, and therefore does not need to be re-issued every year
· Supports Availity® Care Profile (formerly know as Payer Based Health Record)
· Increases utilization of CareCalc
· Supports new and innovative products
· Decreases the number of manual inquiries, and therefore decreases (and will eventually eliminate) “Member Not Found” transactions and other manual data entry errors at the point of service.
· Decreases administrative costs
· Decreases operations costs
Is the industry going in this direction?
Yes, United deployed 16 million cards early this year; Humana is deploying 90,000 in May and the HCSC Blue plans in Texas are exploring implementing magnetic stripe ID cards. Prior to the December deployment of the new ID Card, BCBSF was 1 of only 3 remaining Blue plans (nationwide) still distributing Paper Cards to Members. All other plans have transitioned to Plastic ID Cards, with some (but not the majority at this point) containing a magnetic stripe.
What does the new card look like?
We have developed a modern, attractive, efficient magnetic stripe ID card – a sample of the BlueOptions card is attached!
What products will offer the magnetic stripe ID card?
The magnetic stripe ID Card will be offered to all Blue Options and all BlueChoice members, group and individual, post 3/30/2007.
What has been the initial reaction to these new cards during our deployment?
The reaction has been very positive. We held three member focus groups (Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa and Jacksonville), and received just a few calls in our call center and the Availity Client services call centers that related to the new cards. Members were very receptive to the appearance and concept for the new ID cards, and knew where to find out details on their benefits if they needed to.
CareCalc
What is CareCalc?
Physicians and providers have long said the collection process for services rendered at the point of service is a huge issue. With so many health plans available that require co-pays and co-insurance, physicians and their office staff can’t accurately determine the patient’s cost. BCBSF has developed the solution.
An industry first and available through Availityâ, CareCalc enables the physician’ office staff to quickly and easily calculate the member’s actual financial responsibility. The tool is available any time – prior to the service as an estimator, when the patient checks out, etc. With CareCalc, the provider determines a member’s payment based on the best information available at the time CareCalc is used. On occasion, other services obtained by the member in a similar period of time may affect the total.
Providers can give members a printout of the calculation, which should reduce member questions and enable discussion regarding costs between members and providers. CareCalc supports member satisfaction by increasing the predictability of what a member owes prior to, or at the time of, service. CareCalc empowers the retail experience at the provider’s office for both the provider and patient.
How does the magnetic stripe ID card work with CareCalc?
When a member visits a provider who uses CareCalc and the provider has a card reader, they simply swipe the card through the card reader to obtain information on the member’s benefits. We are providing card readers to those providers that meet several important selection criteria, such as high Availity usage rates and providing service to a large number of BCBSF Members.
For those providers who use Availity but do not receive the card reader, finding out the member benefits is very simple. They pull up Availity and key in information to approximately seven different fields on the form, submit the form electronically, then receive information on the member’s benefits for their use! Essentially, if they do not have a card reader, they continue perform their office procedures as they do today, with no changes. Providers can also request a card reader (or additional card readers) by calling Availity directly. This contact information can be found in the Card Reader Installation Guide provided with every Reader, or on the Availity Provider portal.
Will CareCalc work for all BCBSF members?
CareCalc is designed to serve BCBSF members on our Florida based platform (Diamond) and is most valuable to those with high-deductible plans or those with coinsurance. Initially, CareCalc will support BlueOptions, BlueChoice, BlueCare and our Medicare Advantage products for individuals and groups, and will be available to these members whose physician uses the Availity provider web portal. Future plans for CareCalc are to support all product lines. Currently, CareCalc is not available to group members who are housed on non-Florida platforms (South Carolina, Highmark).
Does this add any cost to our PMPM?
No. With CareCalc, BCBSF is maintaining its network value (discounts, relationships, breadth) and increasing overall satisfaction because this is a solution to a long-standing issue – the physician being able to collect the correct amount at the point of service. This tool was developed and is owned by BCBSF.
Are there any fees to our members associated with CareCalc?
Members will pay no additional costs or fees when their physician uses this helpful estimating tool.
Will all BCBSF physicians and providers have access to CareCalc?
CareCalc is for BCBSF physicians and providers who use Availity and currently over 9,200 providers have access to CareCalc.
We are also providing a card reader to those providers who have the largest number of members.
What have providers who have tested the prototype said?
Eighty seven percent of the users agreed that CareCalc would be useful in their office. They said the tool was quick and easy to use. We received comments such as, “Anything that helps patients understand what their responsibility is and helps offices be able to define that responsibility, is a plus”.
How are members being educated?
As the tool becomes more widely available, we will be telling members about this tool and what to expect in our newsletters, member materials, etc.
Will CareCalc integrate with medications provided to patients at their doctor’s office?
Yes. Physicians will be able to use CareCalc for medications injected at the office and billed by the physician.
Is there ever a situation where CareCalc will not work for my groups?
CareCalc cannot be used for any large, non-standard groups that have benefits being adjudicated manually, or groups that have certain benefits carved out.
Sincerely,
Laura A. Fortino
Account Mgmt. Specialist
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida
1002 West 23rd Street, Suite 150
Panama City, FL 32405
T - 850/873-7505
F - 904/565-4341
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, Inc., and its subsidiary and affiliate companies are not responsible for errors or omissions in this e-mail message. Any personal comments made in this e-mail do not reflect the views of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, Inc. The information contained in this document may be confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. This document may contain material that is privileged or protected from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient or the individual responsible for delivering to the intended recipient, please (1) be advised that any use, dissemination, forwarding, or copying of this document IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED; and (2) notify sender immediately by telephone and destroy the document. THANK YOU.
Last Updated on Monday, June 28, 2010