Valeta, simply because California (and perhaps other states) have passed legislation prohibiting the use of the SSN doesn't mean that an insurance company can't assign some other unique identifier to each insured. Using this legislation as a basis for not assigning an insured identifier is also bogus.
This legislation wasn't passed overnight in the blink of an eye. Insurers knew this was coming for months if not longer. They've had ample time to prepare for using/assigning other insured identifiers and providing those insureds with insurance cards with appropriate information so that claims can be submitted. It's irrelevant whether it's the provider or the insured submitting the claim; either party must know the insured's identifier to do so. This is just plain bogus and crap! I am so nauseus of covered entities hiding behind HIPAA to place new barriers to doing business and providing appropriate customer service. Rachel Rachel Foerster Chief Executive Officer Rachel Foerster & Associates, Ltd. Ideas - Products - Innovation 39432 North Avenue Beach Park, IL 60099 Voice: 847-872-8070 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.rfa-edi.com -----Original Message----- From: Valeta Barger [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, September 19, 2003 9:48 AM To: WEDI SNIP Transactions Workgroup List Subject: RE: Insurance cards with no Insured ID Doug, I agree that blaming HIPAA is bogus, however California passed legislation, I believe in July 2002, that prohibits the use of social security numbers on correspondence, including insurance ID cards. Since most, not all, insurers have traditionally used the SS# as the ID number this has required a massive change in business for insurers. You should also note that Utah has also passed similar legislation. I agree the response from the insurer is unacceptable. I would contact the claim manager at the payer to obtain the needed information and report the incompetent employee that provided the answer. I also think some of the responsibility falls upon the patient (consumer). If the consumer wishes the provider to bill their insurance company on their behalf the consumer most certainly should ensure that they can supply the needed information to the provider. It is inconceivable to me that any consumer would purchase a product that requires ID numbers in order to use the product and not demand this information from the company. That's like obtaining a credit card but not being provided the number so that you can utilize the card. Also after having worked in the insurance industry for 20 years I find that this business is just like any other business. There are good and bad companies that employee good and bad staff. It has been my experience that most insurers wouldn't respond with "You can't do that!" but if approached would work to correct the problem. > -----Original Message----- > From: Doug Webb [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Friday, September 19, 2003 10:05 AM > To: WEDI SNIP Transactions Workgroup List > Subject: Re: Insurance cards with no Insured ID > > Susan, > 1) Blaming HIPAA for this fiasco is totally bogus. > > 2) "I dunno" is a totally unacceptable response from the insurance > company. > > 3) If you can't get a vaild insurance ID, you can't file a claim. A > 270 query MAY reval the proper information. You shouldn't have to do > so to get a valid ID. Bill the patient. Inform the the insurance > company that you will do this, and will give the patient X days to pay > before being referred to your collector. The insurance company will > probably respond "You can't do that!"; you can respond "We can and > will if you don't clean up your act!" > > The opinions expressed here are my own and not necessarily the opinion > of LCMH. > > Douglas M. Webb > Computer System Engineer > Little Company of Mary Hospital & Health Care Centers [EMAIL PROTECTED] > <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Susan Hollabaugh <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: WEDI SNIP Transactions Workgroup List > <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Sent: Friday, September 19, 2003 07:17 AM > Subject: Insurance cards with no Insured ID > > We have begun receive patients in our California Imaging Centers who > present Insurance cards with no Insured ID. > > Here is the experience as reported from our Director in the region: > > "One Health Plan and Aetna are issuing new insurance cards without the > Insurance Identification Number. I called both insurances to ask why, > and was told, "HIPAA". Both are in the process of issuing new cards to > ALL members > > So I asked, the patient, "what is your Insurance ID number?". "I > dunno" , was the answer > > So I asked the insurance companies, "are we to assume that the ID > number is the social security number?" "I dunno" , was the answer. > They would not provide me with the ID number." > > How are we going to bill a patient's insurance company under these > circumstances? How are others dealing with this situation? Will this > necessitate Eligibility verification? Could we find the information > that we need that way? If this extends throughout the market, it will > be a nightmare > for providers. > > EDI Project Manager > 8754 Dunstable Loop > Bristow, VA 20136 > (703) 369-5775 --- The WEDI SNIP listserv to which you are subscribed is not moderated. 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