Re: Blue Cross and Blue Shield

Re: Blue Cross and Blue Shield

Pat Shannon, CO, CECP

8/29/2001

Mr. Veldman,

It might interest you to know that the problem is widespread enough that
collection agencies now offer programs designed for the medical world to
collect unpaid medical claims from insurance companies. We work with
National Revenue, the nations largest collection agency, and they recently
came out with a program to go after insurance companies and back us up.
This may be more cost effective than an attorney approach.

Pat Shannon
President/CEO
Healthcare Management Solutions, Inc
The Nations O&P Billing Service
402-898-0561 Fax 402-898-0564
<Email Address Redacted>


Date: Tue, 28 Aug 2001 21:14:01 -0500
From: Bernie Veldman < <Email Address Redacted> >
Subject: Blue Cross and Blue Shield

I have learned a great deal over the last few days...mostly that I am not
the only one with a problem here. We manage to keep our receivables
comfortably low, but we seem to be having more and more problems with BC/BS.
When we send a claim, we include all pertinent information,
including...LOMN, practitioner notes, prescription, detailed invoice, HCFA
1500, photos and the kitchen sink. Then we seem to get requests for the
information that we have already sent them. In some cases we have had
services authorized prior to providing the service, and still had to wait
6-8 months for payment. I personally feel that this is nothing more than a
stall tactic. I would be dropped if I were t not pay my insurance premiums
for 6-8 months.

BC/BS is probably the single slowest payer at this time. They owe us a
great deal of money, and will not seem to give us any answers on whether or
even if they intend to pay.

I have been in touch with a law firm that specializes in this type of
problem. I would love to find out how many of you are having this same
problem with BC/BS. I am not looking for $ amounts, just an idea of how big
this problem is.

I look forward to hearing from you

Bernie T. Veldman
BOC Orthotist