Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois - Employer - Upcoming Process Changes for Dental HMO: Systems Transition Will Create Efficiencies for All

What's New
BPS Form Revised for Easier Use
How's Your Heart Campaign Launch
New Options Added to Biometric Screening Events
Dental PPO Provider Network Grows, New ID Cards Issued
Holiday Schedules for HSA Banking Partners
Condell Medical Center Rejoins BCBSIL Networks Effective Dec. 1
Healthy Expectations Now Called Special Beginnings^®
2009 Changes to the Prescription Drug Benefit Program
Wellness Coaching Available to HMO Members
Upcoming Process Changes for Dental HMO
New Member ID Card Format Being Implemented for BCBSIL Group Markets

Upcoming Process Changes for Dental HMO: Systems Transition Will Create Efficiencies for All

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) is updating some of its processes as part of our commitment to providing you ease in doing business with us.

Currently, Dental Network of America (DNoA) handles all aspects of the dental HMO (DHMO) product. To create efficiencies and enhance customer service to you and your employees, we are in a transition process to bring certain administrative functions for the DHMO product in sync with our other health and dental products and all systems, and portal functionality and capabilities. The transition is scheduled to be completed in January 2009.

As part of this transition, it is necessary for us to place a "lock out" on our systems for several days. For existing groups with DHMO coverage, we will be unable to make data changes at the account or member level during that time, which is expected to be from December 4 through December 16. The system "lock out" will affect our internal systems as well as external portal functions through Blue Access® for Employers.

Advantages for You and Your Employees
This project will provide the following advantages for all dental products (HMO, PPO, Traditional).

Standardizes billing: If your company offers multiple benefit programs through BCBSIL, you will begin receiving your DHMO bill in the format you are accustomed to for your other products. For DHMO-only customers, the first BCBSIL statement should be a "superbill," which explains how to read your new statement.
Allows you to manage your account online: You will soon be able to manage your DHMO benefit program through Blue Access® for Employers. You will be able to add and terminate members at your convenience, without submitting any paperwork, and pay your bill online.
Enhances administrative functions: This systems integration enhances electronic communication, helping to decrease the new business set-up cycle time for DHMO accounts, more quickly recognize benefit changes for existing business and update capitation/eligibility lists accordingly.
Gives members online access to their DHMO claims: Through Blue Access® for Members, DHMO members will now be able to view their Explanation of Benefits (EOB).
Uninterrupted customer service and provider relationships: This project will provide DNoA access to all information as before, allowing them to continue to provide excellent customer service to our DHMO members, handle claims and all provider-related activities (for example, networking or any inquiries or issues) for a seamless transition.

New Payment Requirements
As part of this transition, there will be some billing changes. Beginning with the January 2009 statement, your DHMO bill will come directly from BCBSIL rather than from DNoA. The following changes regarding payment process will occur:

Payment by check: There will be a new address to remit payment - Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, P.O. Box 1186, Chicago IL 60690-1186.
Payment by wire transfer: You will need to complete an authorization form to initiate this ongoing transaction method.
New Feature: Online Payment - You will now be able to pay online through Blue Access for Employers (BAE). If you are already registered for online bill payment through BAE, you can simply update your account to add a billing profile for DHMO to begin paying online. Current DHMO-only customers will need to first set up a BAE account and then create a payment profile to begin paying online. You should be able to create a payment profile for DHMO beginning in early December. If you need assistance setting up a billing or payment profile, visit the Online Payment Help section within Blue Access for Employers for instructions.

Important: To help simplify this transition, all existing DHMO customers are being set up with a separate billing profile for DHMO as part of the conversion process. Upon renewal, if you wish, the billing profiles can then be combined into one bill.

The billing schedule will change as well. Your first statement from BCBSIL, for January, will be mailed around December 22.

Continue to watch Benefits Management Briefing and check Blue Access for Employers for updates on this project.