Personal Health Statements are here!

The wait is over — Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield members began receiving the new Personal Health Statements (PHS) in March. The PHS replaces the traditional Explanation of Benefits (EOB) health-care benefit statement, which was generated every time your doctor or hospital filed a claim.

The PHS is more comprehensive than the EOB and designed to make claims processing easier to understand. With the PHS, industry terms have been rewritten into everyday language, claims are more clearly explained, and members will know exactly where they are with their out-of-pocket costs (deductibles, copayments, coinsurance and more). The PHS also gives more information about health benefits.

"Our members told us through focus groups that they want to know first and foremost 'what do I owe?'" said Karen Raley, vice president of Communications and Product Development. "So we’ve put this information in red on the first page."

In addition, a 'Benefits at a Glance' section has been added so members are reminded of their health benefits. Charts and graphs should make the information displayed easier to understand as well.

The PHS also features:

• A better description of the discounts members receive on their health-care services.
• Information on how to get in touch with us.
• A quick understanding of how much members owe and to whom.
• Help in understanding the benefits members have and how they work.

The 'Benefits at a Glance' section also shows members their personal health benefits and tracks where they are in meeting deductibles and annual coinsurance maximums. Pharmacy information has been added, including generic medication recommendations. Another new feature on the PHS will be personal health messages and reminders to get health screenings.

Members still have the option to confidentially view their PHS electronically by signing up for a notification email through the My Blueprint member self-service center. Then, when a new PHS is generated, members will receive an email.

The new PHS will be issued twice a month instead of every time a claim is filed. If a member only has pharmacy claims during a month, the PHS will be issued quarterly.

The new PHS now is available to all Arkansas Blue Cross members and will be available later in the year for Health Advantage members. "We love to hear from our members," said Raley. "Feedback always is welcome on how the PHS can be improved."