August 22, 2006

BC-06-12
HP-06-10
SA-06-09

HHA-06-10
DC-06-09

All Blue Cross Contracting Providers

The Blue Healthcare Debit Card
(A medical ID card that’s easy to recognize and simple to use)

Some Blue Plan members will have a Blue healthcare debit card – a new card with value-added features to assist providers in collecting members’ cost sharing amount. 

Using the new cards can help you simplify your administration process and can help you:

• Reduce bad debt
• Reduce paper work for billing statements
• Minimize bookkeeping and patient-account functions for handling cash and checks
• Avoid unnecessary claim payment delays

The card allows members to pay for out-of-pocket costs using funds from their Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA), Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Some cards are “stand-alone” debit cards to cover out-of-pocket costs, while others also serve as member ID cards.

It’s easy to recognize – just look for the familiar logos

The card will have the nationally recognized Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield logos, along with the logo from a major debit card logo such as MasterCard® or Visaâ. 

Sample stand-alone Debit Card

Sample combined Debit Card and Member ID Card

It’s easy to use - simply swipe the card like an ordinary debit card

The cards include a magnetic strip so providers can swipe the card at the point of service to collect what the member will owe. With the health debit cards members can pay for co-payments and other out-of-pocket expenses by swiping the card through any debit card swipe terminal. The funds will be deducted automatically from the member’s appropriate HRA, HSA or FSA account. 

Member eligibility and benefits including co-payment amounts can be checked through the BCBSKS Web site www.bcbsks.com (provider services section).     

It saves time and money

Combining a health insurance ID card with a source of payment is an added convenience to members and providers.  Members can use their cards to pay outstanding balances on billing statements.  They can also use their cards via phone in order to process payments. In addition, members are more likely to carry their current ID cards, because of the payment capabilities.  If your office currently accepts credit card payments, there is no additional cost or equipment necessary.  The cost to you is the same as the current cost you pay to swipe any other signature debit card.

Helpful tips

• Ask members for their current member ID card and regularly obtain new photocopies (front and back) of the member ID card.  Having the current card will enable you to submit claims with the appropriate member information (including alpha prefix) and avoid unnecessary claims payment delays.

• Check eligibility and benefits through the BCBSKS web site www.bcbsks.com (provider services section).  If after using the online inquiry process, additional information is needed, call BlueCard Eligibility®,1-800-676-BLUE (2583), and provide the alpha prefix.

• If the member presents a debit card (stand-alone or combined), be sure to verify the co-payment amounts before processing payment.  

• Please do not use the card to process full payment upfront.  If you have any questions about the member’s benefits, please use the online inquiry process or contact 1-800-676-BLUE (2583). 

• For questions about the debit card processing instructions or payment issues, please contact the toll-free debit card administrator’s number on the back of the card.

More information about the BlueCard program is available in the BCBSKS Institutional Provider Manual.

Information in this newsletter was developed in part by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield association.

Drb