What's New:

Important update regarding BlueCard^® claims processing

We recently announced that BlueCard^® claims would be processed on our new system beginning December 17, 2007. The date has been moved. We will now begin processing BlueCard claims on our new system on
December 31, 2007.

After the conversion referenced above, claims for your BlueCard patients will be reported on our new vouchers. Sample vouchers are available in the Payment section (PDF) of our Provider Office Manual.

As a reminder, clinical editing will also apply to your BlueCard patients’ claims.

Questions
If you have questions or would like more information, contact your provider relations representative or BlueCard Customer Service at 1 (800) 448-0525 or in Portland at
(503) 225-5393.

NASCO^® claims migrated to new claims system on 1/1/08

The National Account Service Company (NASCO^®) claims will be migrated to our new system on January 1, 2008. You will receive a Regence Life and Health voucher for any NASCO claims received prior to December 31, 2007 and any adjustments or recoveries to these claims. You will receive our new voucher (the same voucher used for your Innova^SM, Engage^SM and BlueCard^® patients) for NASCO claims received on or after January 1, 2008. Sample vouchers are available in the Payment section (PDF) of our Provider Office Manual.

Nelson Trust moved to different health plan effective 1/1/08

The Nelson Trust cancelled its coverage with Regence BCBSO effective December 31, 2007. Members of the Nelson Trust with Regence BCBSO coverage had the alpha prefix NTT. Claims for dates of service through December 31, 2007 will be processed under their coverage with Regence BCBSO.

As of January 1, 2008, members of the Nelson Trust will be covered by Premera BlueCross under new alpha prefixes NLQ (actives) and NQN (<65 retirees). Claims for dates of service beginning January 1, 2008 and after will be processed under their coverage with Premera BlueCross. Please refer to your patients' new member cards for the appropriate alpha prefix.

Les Schwab moves to PPO network for 2007
Effective January 1, 2007, Les Schwab employees in Oregon and Clark County, Washington will have preferred provider organization (PPO) level of benefits when seeing BlueCard PPO providers. In 2006, Les Schwab members had traditional level of benefits.

For benefit and eligibility information, call the telephone number on the back of the member's card. If that information is not available, call BlueCard Eligibility at 1 (800) 676-BLUE (2583). You will be prompted for the member's alpha prefix and transferred to BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.

Effective January 1, 2007, the new alpha prefix for Les Schwab is LSB. Be sure to use this alpha prefix when submitting claims for 2007 dates of service.

Different Member and Provider BlueCard Customer Service Numbers
There are different phone numbers for members and providers to use to get answers to their BlueCard questions.

• Member Inquiries
  If a patient asks you a BlueCard question you are unable to answer, please ask them to contact their Blue Plan directly. Refer them to the front or back of their ID card for the appropriate Customer Service phone number. (To ensure members' questions are answered promptly, please do not refer them to the phone numbers listed below).
• Provider Inquiries
  For your convenience, we have dedicated staff to answer your questions about BlueCard claims submission, status or adjustments, or general information. Call Regence BCBSO's dedicated Provider BlueCard Customer Service unit in Portland at (503) 225-5393 or toll-free at
  1 (800) 448-0525.

Changes to rebundling process (effective 3/7/05)
Our rebundling process for BlueCard will now mirror the way we process claims for local business, following Medicare's Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) and Regence BCBSO Correct Coding Editor (CCE).

Claims with incorrect or missing ID numbers returned (Effective 4/1/05)
In order to accurately process claims for BlueCard members, we need the correct member identification (ID) number. Claims for BlueCard members with incorrect or missing ID numbers, will be returned to the provider to review and resubmit. Please be sure to submit the complete ID number, including alpha prefix, as it appears on the ID card.

Blue Plan health care debit cards gaining popularity
Beginning January 1, 2005, some Blue Plans members will have new Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield health care debit cards -- new cards with value-added features that can assist you in collecting member cost sharing amounts. View examples of debit cards.