Blue Review

Changes affect Walmart associates in 2010

Effective Jan. 1, 2010, health plan benefits for all Walmart associates is administered by Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield. In addition, New Directions Behavioral Health will begin providing utilization management services for Walmart's health plan participants.

Identification (ID) card
As of Jan. 1, 2010, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield will become the single Blue Plan administering health plan benefits for Walmart associates.  Coverage was previously provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) or Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, depending upon where the Walmart associate worked.  Walmart associates who currently have coverage through other Blue Plan will receive new ID cards, reflecting a new alpha prefix of WMW.

You should request the new ID card from Walmart associates at the time of service. To ensure accurate claims processing:

  • Verify the new ID card, reflecting the new WMW prefix and update the patient file.
  • Submit claims to your local Blue Plan using the exact ID card number, inclusive of alpha prefix. Do not add, omit or alter any characters from the member ID number.
  • Claims must be filed under the ID card prefix that is/was in effect at the time the service was rendered.
  • To check eligibility, benefits and pre-certification requirements, send an electronic eligibility inquiry to your local Blue Plan or call 800-676-BLUE (2583) and provide the three letter alpha prefix.
  • If you have questions, contact your local BCBSTX network representative. 

 

 

 


BCBSTX makes no endorsements, representations, or warranties about any products or services offered by
independent third-party vendors mentioned in this newsletter. The vendors are solely responsible for the products or
services offered by them. If you have any questions about the products or services mentioned in this newsletter,
contact the vendor directly.


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an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.


Blue Review • Issue 2, 2010 • www.bcbstx.com