2006 Administrative Simplification Workshops: Moving Along the eContinuum Don't miss the Washington Healthcare Forum's fifth annual sries of statewide Administrative Simplification workshops. Beginning next month, these free, half-day workshops will focus on Moving Along the eContinuum. Participants will learn about: Preparing for the implementation of the National Provider Identifier (NPI). Best practices for sending claims and receiving remittance advice electronically. Replacing phone and paper with web-based solutions. What's new from health plan partners. What's new from OneHealthPort. Date Location Time Tuesday, October 24, 2006 Mt. Vernon- Skagit Valley Casino 8:30 a.m. until noon Thursday, October 26, 2006 Bellevue Community College 8:30 a.m. until noon Thursday, November 2, 2006 Spokane- Sacred Heart 1:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 7, 2006 Seattle- Swedish Medical Center 1:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. Thursday, November 9, 2006 Olympia- Labor and Industries 1:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 14, 2006 Valley Medical Center- Renton 1:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. During breakout sessions, the Forum will also seek feedback from provider participants about aligning activities and preparing to take advantage of emerging electronic solutions. For more information and to register to attend one of these free workshops, please go to www.wahealthcareforum.org.

Medicare Coordination of Benefits Now Seamless at UMP
Providers no longer need to bill UMP (or other payers) separately for Medicare retirees' claims. Medicare automatically sends electronic claims to other payers after Medicare has paid first.

Provider billing managers––including facility, professional and durable medical equipment providers––no longer need to bill UMP separately for secondary payment of Medicare claims. Mutual of Omaha, the third party administrator for CMS, forwards the claim electronically to UMP (and to other payers) after Medicare has paid first. Secondary payment by UMP is now automatic, and you no longer have to send duplicate claims to CMS and UMP.

Previously, providers who saw patients with Medicare as their primary coverage had to wait until they received a paper Explanation of Benefits in order to bill UMP for secondary payment.

Regence BlueShield Gives Consumers Secure Access to Health Care Information
Regence is helping its members make better choices by offering an array of online tools through the Regence Engine. Regence invites all providers to see what is now available to Regence patients by taking a test drive of the member experience at www.wa.regence.com/provider and clicking on the myregence.com button.

When members access the secure online tool, the Regence Engine, they can instantly see the status of their claims, quickly locate nearby physicians and compare basic information about local hospitals. It also lists upcoming activities such as fund-raising walks and marathons and offers a changing collection of features designed to educate and motivate members. Through the Regence Engine, members can enroll in programs to help lose weight, manage stress, quit smoking and fight cancer. The Regence Engine supports the work you do with members but does not replace the counsel and treatment you offer.

Purchase Premium CustomCoder™ by September 31 and Get a Free Set of Coding Books
CustomCoder gives you real-time access to code detail and reference information for CPT®, HCPCS ICD-9 codes, CCI, CPT crosswalks and LCD/NCD edits. Because users can access CustomCoder™ via the Internet, there is nothing to install or update. Continuous updates give you the most current and complete information each time you log on. CustomCoder™ gives you three coding products in one, with the most comprehensive, up-to-date coding information in the format of your choice: online, on your desktop, and/or in print.

For a limited time––until September 31, 2006––you will receive a free set of basic coding books when you order Premium CustomCoder™, a $525 value for only $249.95! To order or for more information, click here.

Take Advantage of OneHealthPort Webcasts
Get the most from OneHealthPort and OneHealthPort's participating sites by attending one of the following free online "webcasts."

"How to Navigate Online Claims and Eligibility Applications for Participating Healthcare Sites" - Staff from Regence BlueShield, GroupHealth Cooperative, Premera Blue Cross, First Choice Health and Uniform Medical Plan will show you how to easily navigate their site's online claim status and eligibility applications. You'll also receive shortcuts to eliminate duplications and speed up payment.
Wednesday, October 11 Noon - 1 p.m.

"Introduction to Office Ally and Electronic Claims Submission" - If you currently providers currently submitting paper claims, Office Ally offers the ability to electronically submit claims to over 500 participating health plans, including many of OneHealthPort's participating sites. Learn how this free browser-based service can simplify claims editing, routing and tracking to many payers.
Tuesday, October 17 Noon - 1 p.m.

To attend these hour-long, live seminars, all you need is a telephone line and a computer with an Internet connection and an Internet browser. For specific system requirements, please click here. You can even invite a group of people from your office to watch together at one computer with a speakerphone. Space is limited, so sign up now! You will receive a confirmation and then an e-mail reminder the day before the webcast.

To register for any of these webcasts, click here. You will receive a confirmation and then an e-mail reminder the day before the webcast.