How To View Online EOBs

This is a basic description of what you’ll need to do in order to access your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statements online. Since the majority of our patients are insured through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, we will use their website and process as an example. Most insurers have something similar available on their own websites, so if you have a different insurance plan, you can try to take some of the concepts and adapt them to your own insurer. You can contact the individual insurer to find out how to view online EOBs for that specific insurer.

The first step, is to sign up for an online member account. For BCBSNC, you can do that by clicking here and completing the registration process. To sign up for an account, you will need your Subscriber ID Number (available on your insurance card), Date of Birth, and Zip Code on file for the primary subscriber on your plan. If you already have an account, you can click here to login.

Once you are in your account, your screen should look something like this:

health-insurance-enable-online-bcbs-screen-shot

From there:

  1. Click on “Claims” on the top bar. You are now at a screen that can show you all of the medical and pharmacy claims that have been filed by your providers.
  2. You can expand the line items by clicking the + sign and then download the individual PDF files for the individual claims, if you’d like.
  3. Click on the link to download the PDF of the EOB, or just review the plan details shown in the online tool.

This is just a brief overview of the process for checking your online Explanation of Benefits statements for BCBSNC members. The Blue Connect online account has a lot of other great features (eg. deductible status, billing statements, prescription history, network access, etc.) for patients who want to manage their health insurance plan and usage,  so it is definitely worth signing up for any online tool your insurer offers. The screens will obviously be different, but the concept of “logging in to your online account and clicking the claims tab” should be pretty consistent.

In the rest of the blog posts in this series, I will explain the specifics involved in your EOB, including detailed information on the following topics:

  1. What is an Explanation of Benefits Letter?
  2. Basic EOB Terminology
  3. Determining Patient Responsibility
  4. Determining Plan Details
  5. Accessing Online EOBs
  6. Understanding Denials and Denial Codes
  7. How To File an Appeal

If you have any specific questions or topics you would like us to discuss, please mention them in the comments below and we will address them in future posts. If you are a patient at Family Care and have any questions about EOBs you received for claims from our office, please let us know by filling out our contact form. Thank you!

November is Diabetic Eye Disease Month!

In keeping with the National Diabetes Awareness Month theme, it makes sense that November is also National Diabetic Eye Disease Month. From our local UNC Hospital:

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, approximately 29 million Americans age 20 or older have diabetes, but almost one-third don’t know they have the disease and are at risk for vision loss and other health problems.

Early symptoms are often unnoticed, therefore vision may not be affected until the disease is severe and less easily treated.

Diabetic eye disease, a group of eye problems that affects those with diabetes, includes diabetic retinopathy, cataracts and glaucoma. The most common of these is diabetic retinopathy, which affects 5.3 million Americans age 18 and older.

From friendsforsight.org:

Diabetes can lead to a wide variety health complications, including heart disease, nerve damage, stroke, kidney disease, and vision loss. In fact, diabetes is the leading cause of blindness among working-age Americans. Diabetes is a risk factor for developing glaucoma, as well as for developing cataracts, but the most common and debilitating vision problem experienced by diabetics is diabetic retinopathy.

Today 3.6 million Americans ages 40 and older suffer from the diabetic retinopathy. During Diabetic Eye Disease Month, Friends for Sight encourages individuals with diabetes to take preventative measures and protect their eyes from the devastating effects of diabetes.

From caringnews.com:

What is diabetic eye disease?

Diabetic eye disease is a group of eye problems affecting people who have diabetes. This includes cataracts and glaucoma, but the most common type is diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in adults 20 – 74 years of age. In this condition, the high blood sugar levels associated with diabetes cause the blood vessels of the retina to swell, leak fluid or become blocked. Sometimes abnormal new blood vessels grow on the retina. Diabetic retinopathy can result in severe vision loss.

Reducing the risk of diabetic eye disease

The good news is that people with diabetes can lower their risk of developing diabetic eye disease. The National Eye Institute (NEI) urges people with diabetes to keep their health on TRACK:

Take your medications.
Reach and maintain a healthy weight.
Add physical activity to your daily routine.
Control your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol.
Kick the smoking habit.

Diagnosis and treatment

Prevention is the best step to protect against the damage caused by diabetic eye disease. But although diabetic eye disease cannot be cured, ophthalmologists offer a number of treatments to reduce or halt the loss of vision. This can only happen if the problem is detected early enough—and unfortunately, patients may not notice that anything is amiss during the early stages. So regular eye exams are extra-important for people with diabetes.

Says the NEI’s Dr. Paul A. Sieving, “The longer a person has diabetes, the greater his or her risk of developing diabetic eye disease. If you have diabetes, be sure to have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year. Diabetic eye disease often has no early warning signs, but can be detected early and treated before vision loss occurs. Don’t wait until you notice an eye problem to have a dilated eye exam, because vision that is lost often cannot be restored.”

Family Care Office Hours Until 8pm on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday!

With the addition of our newest provider, Sarada Schossow, PA-C, Family Care is extending our office hours on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays until 8:00pm!

With these new changes, here is a breakdown our three providers and their current scheduling availability. We schedule our appointments in 30 minute blocks, so the last appointment time available is 30 minutes  prior to our office’s closing time each night. This is the standard working schedule for each provider, so please check our Google Calendar (subscribe by clicking on a calendar date in the left hand column of this page) for specifics regarding individual vacation dates, weather closings or delays, and holiday schedules.

Family Care Office Hours, as of November 1, 2015

 

With these extended hours, we want to offer our patients the opportunity to see your regular primary care provider for your acute illnesses at a time that might be more convenient for your working schedule. We understand it is sometimes difficult and problematic to get out of work to come to the doctor, so hopefully our extended hours will give our patients a chance to avoid expensive urgent care and emergency room visits.

As always, we reserve at least three “Same Day” visits for each of our providers every day, including our last appointment of the day. This means we will almost always be able to see you on the same day of your request, but you should make sure to call early in the day to ensure availability. For acute illnesses, our new schedule ensures that you will almost always be able to see a provider within 24 hours. Let us know if you have any questions!

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month!


This month, the Family Care blog will be featuring educational materials and information specifically for people living with diabetes. Our office has held free diabetes education classes for our patients for the past few years because we think it is necessary for patients to fully understand the disease to lower their health risks and the overall impact that diabetes has on their lives. November is designated as National Diabetes Education Month by the American Diabetes Association, so it is a great time to raise awareness of the challenges and help provide a better understanding of how to live with diabetes. The goal of the month, according to the American Diabetes Association:

The vision of the American Diabetes Association is a life free of diabetes and all of its burdens. Raising awareness of this ever-growing disease is one of the main efforts behind the mission of the Association. American Diabetes Month® (ADM) is an important element in this effort, with programs designed to focus the nation’s attention on the issues surrounding diabetes and the many people who are impacted by the disease.

Here are just a few of the recent statistics on diabetes:

  • Nearly 30 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes.
  • Another 86 million Americans have prediabetes and are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
  • The American Diabetes Association estimates that the total national cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United States is $245 billion.

Here is a great video of Republican Congressman Tom Reed discussing his personal reasons for recognizing and promoting National Diabetes Awareness Month in November and the reasons it is really a 365-day-per-year cause.

Throughout the month, we will have more content and specifics, so consider this an introduction to National Diabetes Awareness Month. For final takeaways, here are three messages on what National Diabetes Awareness Month is all about from the American Diabetes Association:

Eat Well, America! This year’s theme for American Diabetes Month in November.

  1. Eating well means more than eating healthy. Eating well means savoring food that is delicious, nutritious and simple to prepare.
  2. The American Diabetes Association will show people living with diabetes and others who want to lead a healthy lifestyle how to enjoy foods that are both delicious and nutritious.
  3. We will inspire Americans to eat well by equipping them with tips for planning and preparing healthy meals on their own.
  4. Diabetesforecast.org/adm and 1-800-DIABETES are the go-to resources offering meal planning, shopping tips, grocery lists, chef’s preparation secrets and delicious recipes.
  5. The Association is leading the conversation that helps the nearly 30 million Americans living with diabetes and the 86 million Americans with prediabetes, as well as their loved ones, achieve health and wellness every single day.

Healthy Eating from Start to Finish. The Association will show Americans how to eat healthy from start to finish, without sacrificing flavor.

  1. Every week in November, the Association will introduce recipes for every meal, including snacks and recipes for the holidays and other special occasions, when indulgences can present a challenge to your healthy eating plan.
  2. The Association will include seasonal recipes and tips from noted cookbook authors and chefs to give Americans the extra boost to incorporate healthy eating into their everyday lives.
  3. We will address the start-to-finish steps that empower people to put together a healthy meal that tastes good and is good for you and your family:
    1. Planning and shopping tips will include mapping out a shopping trip, creating a shopping list and choosing budget-friendly ingredients.
    2. Preparation and cooking tips will include tools and techniques that guarantee recipe success.
    3. Plating and serving tips will guide people with simple steps to create a healthy, nutritious and appealing plate of food—whether at home or dining out.
    4. Complete nutrition information for every recipe so that people can decide which dishes suit them best, based on their diabetes management plan and personal tastes.

Lunch Right with Every Bite! On National Healthy Lunch Day, the Association’s annual celebration of nutritious eating, we will spotlight what healthful, simple and enjoyable meals look like.

  1. This year we’ll celebrate National Healthy Lunch Day on Nov.17, when we encourage everyone to “lunch right with every bite” and make better food choices to counter expanding waistlines, low energy and rising rates of type 2 diabetes and obesity-related illness. To start, let’s do lunch—a healthy lunch.
  2. On this day, we will ask Americans to make or buy a healthy lunch and encourage employers and restaurants to provide healthy alternatives.
  3. In addition, we’ll ask people to share their healthy lunch photos using the hashtag #MyHealthyLunch to create social media buzz. Our fans and followers will inspire their friends and family to make healthy lunch choices that best fit their lifestyle.

Durham Promise Zone Meeting On October 15!

From the NC Cooperative Extension, a partnership between NC State University and NC A&T University:

Dear Friends and Community Partners,

I would like to invite you to join us on Thursday, October 15 from 8:30AM-12:00PM to be a part of the development of a Durham Promise Zone.  The event will take place at the Durham County Human Services Building at 400 E. Main Street in Conference Room A.  A light breakfast will be provided.

What is a Promise Zone?

The Promise Zone Initiative is a federal program created by the Obama administration to designate high poverty communities as “Promise Zones.”  The designation creates a partnership between the federal government and the local community to address priorities within the zone.  A Durham Promise Zone would not supplant existing initiatives and efforts; it would reinforce this work.  The Promise Zone designation will enhance our ability to act in concert with federal and state agencies and garner resources that can support local work and improve quality of life in the zone.  There is a competitive community-based federal application process to request a Promise Zone for Durham.

What is my role?

Durham County Cooperative Extension has been asked to shepherd the federal application process for a Durham Promise Zone on behalf of the City, County, and Durham Community.   Essential to this process is community input, investment and commitment from partners who are the implementers of community based programs, initiatives, practices, and strategies in Durham.  We are inviting YOU to participate and become one of the “Pillars of Promise” because you and your organization are deeply engaged in the community and the goals of the proposed Promise Zone.  On October 15, you will learn more about the Promise Zone application process, review the proposed zone map, and have direct input into the five goals for the zone:

  1. Create Jobs
  2. Increase economic activity
  3. Improve educational opportunities
  4. Reduce violent crime
  5. Promote health and access to healthcare

Through your participation, you and your organization will have the opportunity to become an Implementation Partner for the Durham Promise Zone.

What do I need to do?

Please RSVP using the link below and join us on October 15.  There is a space on the RSVP form to indicate your interest if you cannot attend and to recommend other potential partners in this process.  You can also send someone else to represent your organization. Please contact Donna Rewalt, Community Outreach Coordinator, at (919)560-0538 or durhampromisezone@dconc.govif you have any questions.

RSVP:

https://docs.google.com/a/ncsu.edu/forms/d/1Fb1SmuL9QC9YJ6Phi9aIx9d66MYRBfIZvw_yZ6PY2fE/viewform

What are the benefits?

If designated as a Promise Zone (a ten-year designation), the benefits for Durham include:  preference for certain competitive federal programs and technical assistance, federal staff to assist in implementing goals and navigating federal programs, potential tax incentives, and the expertise of five (5) full time AmeriCorps VISTA members to manage volunteers and increase capacity.  The Promise Zone designation propels our collective ability to address multiple community challenges and has the potential to expand and strengthen the good work you are already doing in the community.

We look forward to meeting with you on October 15 and sharing more about the potential for a Durham Promise Zone.  Together we have an extraordinary opportunity to be the catalyst for ongoing collaboration and to serve as the pillars of change, growth and prosperity for a greater Durham.

Emergency Nurses Week is October 11-17, 2015

Quoted from daysoftheyear.com:

Promoted and sponsored by the Emergency Nurses Association and having originated in Australia back in 1989, Emergency Nurses Day is now an international celebration, intended to honour the hard work and dedication of emergency nurses all around the world.

Why do emergency nurses warrant special appreciation? Well, quite simply, because they make a huge difference to sick, injured and even dying people every single day, offering vital assistance and support.

Nursing as a profession requires a special level of compassion and nurses working in hospital emergency wards face numerous difficulties during their working life, yet still return every day to provide crucial care for those who need it the most.

A special focus is placed on Emergency Nurses Day, which forms one part of a wider celebration, called Emergency Nurses Week. Various events are held around the world, in order to give thanks and show support for those who choose to work in this essential profession.

While the entire week is devoted to thanking emergency nurses, Emergency Nurses Day specifically is October 14, 2015.

 

September 15 is National Neonatal Nurses Day!

From the National Association of Neonatal Nurses:

National Neonatal Nurses Day is celebrated every September 15.  The day was established in 2000 by the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN).  On this day, members of the neonatal community honor nurse colleagues and show their pride in being a neonatal nurse.

This day provides an opportunity to celebrate the hard work and dedication of neonatal nurses and the NANN community. NANN would like to honor all neonatal nurses for the life-long impact you have on neonates and their families. These contributions to the tiniest patients make a difference that lasts a lifetime.

Those of you on the neonatal frontlines know better than anyone that neonatal health takes the effort of every members of a committed nursing and healthcare staff, as well as dedicated family members. This year’s Neonatal Nurses’ Day theme, “We’re all in this together.” celebrates all the critical components of a neonatal care team.

No matter what role you play, your contributions and commitment to the tiniest of patients makes a difference that lasts a lifetime. On this day, throughout the week, and at NANN’s upcoming Annual Educational Conference, we celebrate YOU! Thank you for being such an integral part of the neonatal community and for all your efforts – big and small – for the tiniest patients.

August is National Immunization Month!

From the CDC:

Each year in August, National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) provides an opportunity to highlight the value of immunization across the lifespan. Activities focus on encouraging all people to protect their health by being vaccinated against infectious diseases. In 2015, the National Public Health Information Coalition (NPHIC) is coordinating NIAM activities.

Each week of the month, the CDC will feature different age groups and the recommendations for that age group.

This is a great resource and an important part of your preventive healthcare. Here are some ways you can make a difference, from healthfinder.gov:

July 10 is “Don’t Step on a Bee” Day!

The name of this holiday is just too funny to overlook. I feel like people would be much more likely to swat or spray a bee rather than step on them, but I think I get their point. Bees are good! Don’t kill them! They are also our North Carolina state insect, so you’ll probably go to jail for killing one. I’m not completely sure on that one, but its still not worth the risk!

Read more

Independence Day is July 4th!

“Resolved: That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.” – Richard Henry Lee, Representative of Virginia, 1776

“Today is the day we celebrate our independence day!” – Bill Pullman, as President Thomas Whitmore, 1996

A brief history on the holiday from PBS.org, which you may have forgotten about since elementary school:

“Taxation without representation!” was the battle cry in America’s 13 Colonies, which were forced to pay taxes to England’s King George III despite having no representation in the British Parliament. As dissatisfaction grew, British troops were sent in to quell the early movement toward rebellion. Repeated attempts by the colonists to resolve the crisis without military conflict proved fruitless.

On June 11, 1776, the Colonies’ Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia and formed a committee whose express purpose was drafting a document that would formally sever their ties with Great Britain. The committee included Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston. Jefferson, who was considered the strongest and most eloquent writer, crafted the original draft document (as seen above). A total of 86 changes were made to his draft and the Continental Congress officially adopted the final version on July 4, 1776.

Enough with the internet now! Go outside and have a fun,  safe, and happy 4th of July!