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EDI Solutions
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This brochure is a helpful EDI reference for both new and experienced electronic submitters. It covers the basics, like choosing an electronic filing approach and what to ask potential vendors. It also includes tips for keeping your transactions running smoothly, no matter how long you’ve been submitting electronically. And, it can help point you in the right direction when you need more detailed answers about processes, reports or other questions that may arise. Remember to consult this guide, or visit bcbsga.com whenever you have questions.
Should I handle electronic submissions
directly or work with an EDI vendor?
Every practice or facility must manage its own unique set of marketplace
requirements, operational needs and system capabilities. Using EDI Solutions, you can conveniently submit electronic transactions to us via a process called Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) — an advanced form of electronic business-to-business communication linking providers to EDI vendors, software vendors, clearinghouses or billing agencies and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia. To prepare your office for electronic submission, below are descriptions of two basic approaches.
Using an EDI vendor, clearinghouse or billing agency
If you choose this approach, you’ll submit either paper or electronic information to an EDI vendor of your choice. The EDI vendor then submits transactions to us. Generally, EDI vendors can supply you with everything necessary to edit, format, file and reconcile transactions electronically. EDI vendors often offer solutions that adapt well to your current practice management systems with little or no changes to your internal office procedures.
Services to look for in an EDI vendor }
}Mechanisms to ensure claims are directed to the appropriate payer }
}Payer front-end editing, registration and testing }
}Mechanisms to ensure current and valid codes are submitted — such as CPT,
HCPCS, CDT, ICD-9-CM and NDC (national drug codes)
}
}Systems to ensure compliance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
Act (HIPAA) requirements, maintaining HIPAA certification as needed
}
}Customer support, training and service-level agreements }
}Mechanisms to monitor state, federal and payer filing specifications,
installing system upgrades as appropriate
}
}Clear, accurate and easy-to-use reporting }
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Services to look for in an EDI vendor (continued)
Service-level agreements are between you and your EDI vendor. They are the first point of contact for electronic questions. Likewise, we also contract directly with each EDI vendor to ensure appropriate HIPAA and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia formatting. EDI Solutions provides customer support, electronic filing instructions (Companion Guide) and daily reporting for our contracting EDI vendors. You can find our electronic submitter contractual agreements, an EDI vendor listing, additional EDI vendor descriptions and electronic filing instructions at bcbsga.com/edi.
NOTE: EDI vendors, clearinghouses and billing agencies described offer a wide variety of services. While some provide all the ones mentioned above, others may not. Please work directly with your selected EDI vendor to determine their capabilities.
Submitting directly
You’re also welcome to contract and submit directly to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia through EDI. Generally, you’re responsible for editing, formatting, filing and reconciling your submissions according to HIPAA and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia specifications, using software designed and supported by your own organization or by a software vendor. With the direct submission approach, you must use your own computer, modem, communications software and data compression software. There is no cost to submit claims electronically to us, beyond what is needed to prepare and maintain your environment.
EDI Solutions provides customer support, electronic filing instructions (Companion Guide) and daily reporting. You can find our electronic submitter contractual agreements and the Private Business — HIPAA Companion Guide here or online at bcbsga.com/edi.
To submit directly, you should have: }
}Experienced EDI staff to help with the submission and reconciliation
of electronic submissions
}
}Ability to monitor state and federal mandates, providing the necessary
support for system modifications
}
}Systems to ensure electronic transactions are HIPAA-compliant }
}Mechanisms to ensure that current and valid codes are submitted —
such as CPT, HCPCS, CDT, ICD-9-CM and NDC
}
}Ability to accept and interpret electronic acknowledgements and
reports when transaction fail HIPAA compliance
}
}Ability to monitor payer communications for potential system upgrades }
}Technology available to support data compression and connectivity software
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Consider these features when choosing your approach
}
}HIPAA-compliant format, code set editing — such as CPT, HCPCS,
CDT, ICD-9-CM and NDC — and support for state and federal mandates
}
}Ability to access secured patient insurance eligibility, benefit and claim inquiries
which provide access to membership, copays, benefits and deductible amounts
}
}Ability to submit all claim types electronically— coordination of benefits (COB),
notes (NTE), adjustments, and institutional and professional claims
}
}Customer support and service-level agreements }
}Editing to ensure the accuracy of NPI numbers and payment indicators submitted }
}Automated system capability to correct claim errors and resubmit claims electronically }
}EDI vendor capability to receive and forward important vendor
and payer communications
}
}Ability to submit to multiple payers }
}Accurate, clear and easy-to-use reports with audit trails to reconcile electronic
submissions from your office to the EDI vendor and from the EDI vendor to the payer
}
}Electronic funds transfer (EFT)/835 payment advice (electronic remittance voucher)
retrieval and automated posting
}
}Patient account information (benefits and eligibility, claim status, fee schedule
information and payment history)
}
}Training program and user manuals }
}Ability to convert to paper, as appropriate
MAkE An InfoRMED DEcISIon
Determine your needs. Ask the right questions. Here are some tips that can help you make the choice that’s right for you.
}
}Ask other doctors and facilities how they handle electronic submission }
}Visit bcbsga.com/edi, select List for a list of clearinghouses, software vendors and billing agencies }
}Estimate the number of claims you submit each month to various carriers, such as
Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia, and commercial carriers
}
}Determine whether your practice or facility has the technical resources
to file transactions electronically
}
}Determine the approach that best suits your organization’s needs }
}Compare the cost and benefits of electronic filing versus paper submissions }
}Get the full benefit of electronic submission by understanding the types of claims your
office is likely to submit, such as coordination of benefits (COB), and work with your EDI vendor to move from paper to electronic filing
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Questions to consider when selecting either approach: }
}Since Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia requires that HIPAA electronic submissions
must be certified, what measures are in place to ensure HIPAA compliance?
}
}How long will it take to transition from paper to electronic submission?
What are the costs involved?
}
}With the implementation of HIPAA, claims with coordination of benefit information,
adjustments and attachments are now features of electronic filing.
}
}What mechanisms are in place to accommodate these features? What options are
available if a vendor cannot submit these kinds of claims electronically?
}
}Is training available for new or existing employees —either on site, via monthly
newsletter updates or user group meetings? What costs are associated with training?
}
}Is it necessary to purchase additional software and/or hardware to meet the needs
of the practice or facility?
}
}Are systems unavailable for electronic submissions when system upgrades are
installed? Is there a cost for system upgrades? How often are upgrades installed?
}
}Is there a capability to automatically post the electronic 835 payment advice? What
are the costs involved?
}
}Are there software edits that will prevent the submission of invalid, incomplete or
inaccurate information?
}
}Is the purchased software compatible with the internal computer’s operating
system (DOS, Windows, MacIntosh, or Unix)?
}
}Will the HIPAA reports payers are using (such as 999) be translated into a flexible,
easy-to-follow format?
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Questions to consider when selecting either approach (continued): }
}Regarding data transmissions, how are occasional discrepancies between vendors
and payers resolved?
}
}Is the actual data sent to or from the payer available? }
}How are vendor versus payer errors indicated on an error report? }
}Receiving prompt payments is an important benefit. Are there specific situations
that require paper claim submission to a payer? If yes, how will the claims be flagged? Will an indicator note electronic versus paper submissions? Is there an additional cost when paper claims are mailed?
}
}What is the vendor’s customer support policy? }
}Is support billed at a flat monthly fee or charged on a call-by-call basis? }
}Will the system allow electronic re-transmission of corrected claims, or must these
claims be re-billed on paper?
}
}Will this software support additional HIPAA mandates, such as electronic attachments? }
}In order to submit electronically with the software purchased, is it also necessary
to select a clearinghouse?
}
}Is there a client reference list available? }
}What are the service-level agreements and response time frames? }
}What mechanisms are in place to ensure optimal efficiency of your electronic claims
process — minimizing the need for paper submissions?
}
}How will the EDI vendor forward important payer communications? Viewing these
communications will allow providers to evaluate and plan for system upgrades and become aware of EDI-related developments.
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Your gateway to electronic data sharing
Visit bcbsga.com/edi
At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia, we’ve dedicated a website to share electronic information with you or your electronic data interchange (EDI) vendors (clearinghouses, software vendors and billing agencies). Our website at bcbsga.com/edi gives you pertinent and timely information, along with helpful tools to ease electronic transactions.
What you’ll find online at bcbsga.com/edi: }
}EDI registration information and forms }
}EDI contacts and support information }
}EDI communications and electronic submission tips }
}Information on electronic filing benefits and cost-savings }
}Tools for submitting electronic claims directly to us }
}Filing instructions for EDI submission of eligibility, benefit and claim status inquiries }
} Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia Companion Guide with complete information
on submitting electronic transactions
}
} Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia report descriptions }
}List of clearinghouses, software vendors and billing agencies }
}FAQs and answers about electronic transactions }
}Information and links pertaining to the Health Insurance Portability
and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
}
}Contractual agreements with our trading partners
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Questions? Find detailed answers at bcbsga.com/edi.
Our Private Business — HIPAA Companion Guide and the EDI User Guide have the details on how to submit, receive and troubleshoot electronic transactions required by HIPAA. You can find it online at bcbsga.com/edi > Private Business — HIPAA Companion Guide. Whether you submit directly to us or use a clearinghouse, software vendor or billing agency, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia HIPAA Companion Guide, EDI User Guide, and the HIPAA Technical Report 3 (TR3) are effective tools to help address your questions. The more you understand how we process electronic transactions, the better your experience with electronic transactions will be – even if you use an outside service.
Here’s a sample of what you’ll find in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia HIPAA Companion Guide and EDI User Guide:
Questions Answers
}
}Do you accept coordination of benefits (COB) claims?
}
}What information is required when filing COB claims electronically?
837 Professional Health care claim companion Guide
837 Institutional Health care claim companion Guide
}
}What is the registration process for receiving EFTs/835 payment advices (electronic remittance vouchers)?
}
}What information does Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia provide on the 835 payment advice?
835 Health care claim Payment/Advice communication Protocol Electronic funds Transfer
(EfT) form
}
}Can I request eligibility, benefits and claim status inquires using EDI?
}
}Do you accept both real-time and/or batch inquiry requests?
}
}How can I learn more about your enhanced information returned for eligibility, benefit and claim status inquires?
}
}What are the connectivity options for membership eligibility, benefit and claim
status inquiries?
270/271 Health care claim Eligibility
companion Document 276/277 Health care claims Status Request & Response
companion Document
}
}What reports are provided for trading partners?
}
}How often are reports produced? When are the reports delivered?
}
}When reports are returned with errors, what is the process for resolving these errors?
EDI User Guide
}
}When are the EDI Solutions helpdesk specialists available to address questions?
}
}What are the hours of operation for EDI Solutions?
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Reports help speed account reconciliation
Accurate, timely reports help resolve errors early
Timely reporting lets you quickly correct errors so you can re-submit electronic transactions quickly — speeding account reconciliation. The two-stage process, outlined below, must be closely monitored. Please implement ways to monitor submissions and reconcile errors with electronic transmissions during these stages. If you work with an EDI vendor, clearinghouse or billing agency, it’s your responsibility to ensure reports are accurate, flexible, clear and easy to understand. Additionally, please ensure your office staff gets appropriate training on report functions.
Stage 1: EDI Reconciliation — Provider’s Office/Facility to EDI Vendor }
}Reconciles provider submissions with that of the EDI vendor }
}Displays claims originally submitted electronically that the EDI vendor
switched to a paper submission
}
}Identifies claims that failed EDI vendor edits }
}Provides required information (such as patient and claim detail) to correct
and resubmit claims
}
}Balances total number claims and total dollars received }
}Indicates the date claims were sent to each payer
Stage 2: EDI Reconciliation — EDI Vendor to Payer }
}Reconciles the EDI vendor’s submission with the payer }
}Identifies the number of claims accepted or rejected by the payer along
with the date received
}
}Provides required information (such as patient and claim detail) to correct
and resubmit claims with errors
Report basics }
}Work reports each day, ensuring prompt handling of claims }
}Reconcile both claim totals and dollars }
}Correct claims with errors and resubmit them electronically to provide an audit trail
and to avoid payment delays
}
}Work with EDI vendors to ensure Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia reports
are available. Our reports are your receipt that claims were either accepted for processing or rejected due to errors.
}
}If you use an EDI vendor, you should work with them directly if there are questions
about data content, delivery time frames, formatting or errors
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If you need to contact us about reports
1. Identify the report in question.
2. Include the EDI vendor’s name providing reports on your behalf, if applicable. 3. Provide claim submission date, claim detail and error message(s) returned.
NOTE: We are not familiar with the proprietary reports generated by every EDI vendor. Please be prepared to provide details from our reports when you speak with an Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia representative.
Questions to ask EDI vendors
Occasionally, a vendor may switch to paper submissions for different reasons. Make sure your vendor is transmitting all of your claims electronically.
}
}Are the payer-specific report(s) reformatted by the EDI vendor? Are the payer’s
original reports available for reference if needed?
}
}If the payer’s report is reformatted, does the EDI vendor omit or change any
information found on the payer’s original reports?
}
}What reports, if any, are available to reconcile EDI submissions at the EDI vendor
and payer levels?
}
}Who is the contact if questions arise about EDI vendor reports? What is the
estimated response time for resolution to EDI vendor report questions?
}
}Are there payer errors that only the EDI vendor can correct? If so, how quickly
are the errors corrected and claims resubmitted? What is the notification process when submission delays occur?
}
}Is the EDI vendor automatically switching to a paper submission when claims
error? What is the cost to switch to a paper submission? Are the paper claims being corrected before mailing?
}
}Does the vendor provide access to payer reports that are proof of receipt
for timely filing?
Helpful information for providers
To speed claim payments, you should request and review reports in order to reconcile your electronic submissions and identify claims in error. A rejection on any level may impact the entire claims submission and certainly cash flow. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia produces four separate reports, identifying the claim’s acceptance or rejection status. Our timely delivery of reports helps you correct claim errors, often without missing a remittance cycle.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia contracts with each of our EDI vendors, ensuring reports are delivered — accurately, timely and according to specifications. It’s your responsibility to ensure that the contract you have negotiated with your EDI vendor provides quality service and prompt delivery of payer reports, as appropriate. Please see the next page for a description and delivery schedule of each report.
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Report name Description Blue cross and Blue Shield of Georgia contact Access EDI Solutions Interchange Acknowledgement — TA1
This proprietary report is produced specifically for claims filed to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia, and indicates invalid or corrupted information with the electronic file structure and/or data contained within the file. We are unable to open, identify or read the electronic file submission when invalid or corrupted information is detected. Errors identified will cause the entire file to reject.
Delivery Schedule — Report generates only when a file
error is detected.
Call EDI Solutions at 888-883-2720
EDI User Guide Chapter VII — Acknowledgements
and Reports
999 Interchange Acknowledgement
Generated when the electronic file structure and/or data contained within the file is invalid or corrupted. With invalid or corrupted information Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia is unable to open, identify or read the electronic file submission. Errors identified will cause the entire file to reject.
Delivery Schedule — Daily: Report generates only when
a file error is detected
Call EDI Solutions at 888-883-2720
EDI User Guide Chapter VII — Acknowledgements
and Reports
277cA claims Acknowledgement
X12 HIPAA Health Care Claim Acknowledgement is the business level acknowledgement for health care claims-837. Report returns a reply of “Accepted” or “Not Accepted” status based on the electronic claim Technical Report 3 and front end edits. For claims Not Accepted, the 277CA will detail additional actions required of the submitter in order to correct and resubmit. Errors identified at this level will cause individual claims to reject.
Delivery Schedule — Daily: Report generates
acknowledging the acceptance or non-acceptance of a claim
Call EDI Specialist at 888-883-2720
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia EDI Solutions EDI User Guide
Acknowledgements and Reports Level 2 Status Report X12 — Level 2 HIPAA compliance Blue cross and
Blue Shield of Georgia Business
Proprietary report that validates code sets, data structure and balancing based on HIPAA file structure and at submission requirements. This report also provides a summary detail for total claim(s) and charge(s) submitted, passed and failed. Errors identified will cause individual claims to reject.
Delivery Schedule — Daily: Report generates displaying
all claims passing
Call EDI Solutions at 888-883-2720
EDI User Guide Chapter VII — Acknowledgements
and Reports
Alert Messages
Important electronic messages such as system modifications, submission tips and other communications
Delivery Schedule — As needed.
Call EDI Solutions
fInD MoRE DETAILS onLInE
You can find report descriptions, along with formatting specifications, error listings and troubleshooting tips online at bcbsga.com/edi.
