Traditional Medicare Benefit Information Soon to be Available Online to Doctors and Hospitals through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan ...( New enhancement adds to one of the l...),Health

New enhancement adds to one of the largest health information interchanges

in the nation

DETROIT, May 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Beginning this summer, Michigan physicians and hospitals will be able to go online to check eligibility and benefit information for people with Traditional Medicare coverage. It's made possible by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan's health care electronic data interchange clearinghouse and Web portal, one of the largest in the nation.

Through BCBSM's single Web portal -- called web-DENIS -- doctors and hospitals already have secure access to benefit and eligibility information for individuals enrolled in BCBSM, Blue Care Network and Medicaid plans. The addition of Traditional Medicare information is another giant leap forward.

"Benefit information on the vast majority of insured lives in Michigan now will be available 24/7 to physicians and medical facilities, helping them determine eligibility for health care benefits," said Mary A. Smith, BCBSM vice president of health care delivery strategy. "So when these individuals enter a hospital emergency room or most doctors' offices or medical facilities, the information will be available to their care provider."

The launch of the expanded service follows a successful pilot of the service started this past March by the Blues, and reinforces the company's commitment to supporting a statewide initiative by Gov. Jennifer Granholm, the Michigan Legislature and other public and private organizations to make Michigan a leader in health information exchange. The health information exchange initiative seeks to improve the quality and efficiency of health care delivery by minimizing redundant data collection, meeting national standards for information exchange, encouraging patient-centered care and promoting patient safety and quality.

"This launch is another step forward in our efforts to increase the scope of patient eligibility and benefi
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