May 2020

Important Reminder Regarding Billing for Point-of-Use Convenience Kits

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) regularly reviews claims submitted by providers to help ensure that benefits provided are for services that are included in our member’s benefit plan and meet BCBSIL’s guidelines. Some providers are submitting claims for point-of-use convenience kits used in the administration of injectable medicines. These prepackaged kits contain not only the injectable medicine, but also supply items, such as, but not limited to, alcohol prep pads, cotton balls, band aids, disposable sterile medical gloves, povidone-iodine swabs, adhesive bandages and gauze. As a reminder, only the drug component(s) of the kit will be reimbursable to the provider.

BCBSIL periodically checks availability and pricing of these kits to better manage costs. Often, the cost of these convenience kits is more than the cost of its components when purchased one item at a time. Non-drug supplies in the kits are inclusive of the practice expense for the procedure performed for which no added compensation is warranted to the provider. Reimbursement for these point-of-use convenience kits may be updated based upon the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drug component.

Remember to provide the most appropriate care in the most cost-effective manner.

It’s important to check member eligibility and benefits through the Availity^® Provider Portal or your preferred vendor web portal prior to every scheduled appointment. Eligibility and benefit quotes include membership status, coverage status and other important information, such as applicable copayment, coinsurance and deductible amounts. Checking eligibility and benefits also helps providers confirm benefit preauthorization requirements. Providers must also ask to see the member's ID card for current information and a photo ID to help guard against medical identity theft. When services may not be covered, members should be notified that they may be billed directly. Obtaining benefit preauthorization is not a substitute for checking member eligibility and benefits.

The above material is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for the independent medical judgment of a physician. Physicians and other health care providers are encouraged to use their own best medical judgment based upon all available information and the condition of the patient in determining the best course of treatment. Members should refer to their certificate of coverage for more details, including benefits, limitations and exclusions. Regardless of benefits, the final decision about any medication is between the member and their health care provider.

Checking eligibility and/or benefit information and/or the fact that a service has been preauthorized/pre-notified is not a guarantee of payment. Benefits will be determined once a claim is received and will be based upon, among other things, the member’s eligibility and the terms of the member’s certificate of coverage applicable on the date services were rendered. If you have any questions, please call the number on the member’s ID card.

Availity is a trademark of Availity, LLC, a separate company that operates a health information network to provide electronic information exchange services to medical professionals. Availity provides administrative services to BCBSIL. BCBSIL makes no endorsement, representations or warranties regarding any products or services provided by third party vendors such as Availity. If you have any questions about the products or services provided by such vendors, you should contact the vendor(s) directly.