319th MDG Third Party Collection Program

  • Published
  • By 319th Medical Group
  • Resource Management Office
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Have you ever asked yourself why you must present your Other Health Insurance card, commonly referred to as the "yellow card", when receiving care at the base clinic? Or wondered how updating the "yellow card" annually or when your health insurance changes can affect the care you and your family receive?

Under the Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1986, all military medical treatment facilities are mandated to bill health insurance carriers for the cost of medical care provided to active duty family members, retirees and family members who are covered by other health insurance. The 319th Medical Group Clinic must comply with this law and needs your help for continued program success.

The obligation to pay medical care costs applies only to the insurance carrier. Your insurance company will pay benefits directly to the 319th MDG and you will not be billed or responsible for any uncollected charges. By law, your insurance policy rates cannot go up or be canceled just because a claim is filed.

The benefits for the patient include no co-pay, deductible or any patient responsibility charges indicated in the Explanation of Benefits received from the insurance company. This means you may pay less out-of-pocket expense when later seeking health care through a civilian provider.

For example, pretend you have a health insurance policy with a $250 deductible for outpatient care and that you have a visit to the 319th MDG Clinic which generates a bill for $230 worth of services. The Clinic will bill your insurance company for the $230. The insurance company would not pay, but would credit that $230 towards your deductible. However, at some future time when you have to go downtown for chiropractic care or another service the clinic doesn't provide, you would only owe the remaining $20 of your $250 deductible before your insurance would start to pay.

Many of the staff who provide or support your care are funded by the money earned through this program. In fiscal year 2010 over $300,000 was collected. The money was used to fund medical staff contracts, medical supplies, staff training and patient travel. Our ultimate goal is to continue to provide service excellence and the highest quality healthcare to you -- the patient.

At the 319th MDG, asking for your "yellow card" at each point of service (ex: Family Practice, Lab, Pharmacy, etc...) is our way to ensure that all beneficiaries are informed and are active participants in the program.

If you are a dependent of an active duty member, retiree or family member of a retiree, you will be asked to fill out a DD Form 2569, regardless of whether you have other health insurance. This form is scanned, updated and maintained in an electronic system.

If your "yellow card" is about to expire, has already expired, or if you have had a change in your insurance, or residential address, please make sure to update your information at your next clinic visit. Remember the Third Party Collection Program helps us help you.

For further assistance with the Third Party Collections Program, please stop by the Budget Office located on the 1st floor in room 703 or call our Third Party Collections representatives at (701) 747-5376 or (701) 747-6127.