Eisenhower Army Medical Center has implemented an automated Department of Defense Form 2569 (the 'blue card'): Record of Other Health Insurance for the Third Party Collection Program in its system that will capture electronic signatures and store them in a database rather than in paper files. Photo by Jennifer Chipman Dwight David Eisenhower Army Medical Center has implemented an automated Department of Defense Form 2569: Record of Other Health Insurance for the Third Party Collection Program in our system that will capture electronic signatures and store them in a database rather than in paper files. This process will help Eisenhower identify patients that have filled out or updated a DD 2569 as well as save on paper and storage space.

“We care about our environment and want to do our part to be green and help sustain the environment,” said Kelly Locke, chief of the Uniform Business Office. “Part of that responsibility is to constantly explore new ways to reduce paper consumption and reduce the amount of required storage space.”

Under Title 10, U.S.C. 1095, Military Treatment Facilities are mandated to bill insurance carriers for the cost of medical care furnished to retirees and family members who are covered by other health insurance.

The Consolidation Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1986 established the Third Party Collection Program. Under this program MTFs are authorized and obligated to bill health insurance carriers (like Blue Cross or Mail Handlers) for the cost of medical care furnished to retirees and family members who are covered by insurance policies. Eisenhower must comply with this law and we need your help to make the program successful.

Who Benefits? The Third Party Collection Program benefits both the patient and the facility.

If you are covered by a health insurance policy or Medicare supplement, we need your insurance information. You may stop at the Other Health Insurance desk in Eisenhower’s Main Pharmacy waiting area to fill out the DD Form 2569 and receive your blue verification card.

“Not only does the medical center benefit from the Third Party Collection Program, but our

patients benefit as well,” Locke said. “As the cost of medical care increases and funding from

Congress decreases, the funds collected from the Third Party Collection Program are returned to DDEAMC and are used to enhance services that we might not otherwise be able to afford. Services and products, such as state-of-the-art medical equipment and information systems, a larger variety of pharmaceuticals, renovations and personnel contracts are all supported financially by TPC dollars.”

If you would like more information about the Third Party Collection program, please call (706) 787-1125.

Q: What is the blue card for?

A: It serves as a verification that you have filled out the DD Form 2569, Third Party Collection Form.

Q: How often do I have to fill out the form?

A: The DD Form 2569 requires once every 12 months.

Q: Health insurance is one of my service benefits – why does the MTF have to bill my insurance company?

A: Quality health care is very expensive and costs are rising at an alarming rate. Your health care is paid for by your federal tax dollars. The law requires us to recover these costs if they are covered by insurance.

Q: What effect will this have on my health insurance?

A: Health insurance is intended to cover your needs for medical services listed in your policy, and the premiums you pay are for those services. Since you are using that policy to allow us to recover the costs of providing health care, the insurance is being used exactly as it is intended. Your premiums will not increase solely based on usage.

Q: When I receive care from the MTF, will I need to pay my policy deductible?

A: No, we will absorb the deductible. This may even satisfy your policy deductible if you later seek private medical care.

Q: If the full cost of care is not recovered, will I get a bill from you or my insurance company?

A: No, federal tax dollars cover any balance not paid by your insurance carrier. You will not be billed for any costs that we cannot recover from your insurance carrier under the Third Party Collection Program. You will receive an Explanation of Benefits form from your insurance carrier.

Q: Where does the money go?

A: Payments from your insurance company for your health care are collected and used to improve the quality of your care through enhancements such as contract services for doctors and nurses, and to purchase equipment and information systems.

Q: What do I need to do?

A: Let us know if you have insurance. Be sure your insurance information is accurate and updated yearly. You can update your information in the clinic, at the treasurer’s office, and at the Pharmacy Concierge Desk.