Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Healthcare Solutions changed its timely filing deadlines, shortening both its 180-day allowance for in-network claims and its 365-day allowance for out-of-network claims, according to Anesthesia Business Consultants.
Three things to know:
1. An Anthem representative told ABC that the new deadline applies to all Anthem states.
However, the change notification was absent from Anthem's Virginia website, and some states' websites specified the change was only applicable to Medicare Advantage plans. In California, only Anthem Blue Cross plans are affected; Blue Shield operates independently.
2. Claims submitted on or after Oct. 1 will be subject to the new filing deadline. Anthem will refuse payment if a claim is submitted more than 90 days after the date of service.
If Anthem is the secondary payer, the 90-day period won't begin until the provider receives notification of the primary payer's responsibility.
3. Cigna and UnitedHealthcare also have a 90-day deadline for the submission of in-network claims from the date of service. Aetna's filing deadline is 120 days, and Humana's is 180 days, or 90 days for ancillary providers.