Banner Blue News                 

A Publication of Wabash Memorial Hospital Association  

Fall - 2006

Where Are You?

     Welcome Dr. Dewey Ballard     Board certified Internal Medicine physician, Dewey Ballard, M.D., has recently joined the Medical Staff at the Wabash Outpatient Clinic in Decatur.  Dr. Ballard and his wife,  Mary, have moved to Decatur from Springfield, Missouri.  He will start seeing patients here as soon as his Illinois license is issued.  The Ballards have two sons in college. 

A reception and open house at the Decatur Clinic will be held so all of the local members and road crews in the area can help welcome the Ballards to Decatur and to the Wabash family.   ______________________________                  Medicare Member Information   Accompanying our new claim adjudication software is a system that will allow Medicare providers to bill Wabash directly for their primary payment electronically.  Physicians will no longer have to bill Railroad Medicare. By doing this, Medicare providers will receive both their primary and supplemental payments in one check directly from Wabash, usually in half the time it takes to get their reimbursement from Medicare.  Medicare members should look for their new Wabash membership card in January of 2007.  It will contain instructions for your Primary Care Physician on how to bill Wabash electronically for full payment.      Did you know that Wabash pays the $952 deductible each benefit period if you're hospitalized?  Through the first six months this year, Wabash has again paid out more than we received for our beneficiaries.  You can help us save your money!  Remember:  Do not let doctors and hospitals charge for services you didn't authorize or receive.  Have your physician check 'may substitute' on all your prescriptions to take advantage of new generic drugs entering the market.  Consider your healthcare service as if you are paying for it yourself.

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Every parent  has probably heard, "do  you know where your children are?"  But, we ask, "Do we know where our members are?"  if we have your incorrect address or phone number:  1) Payment of your medical claims could be delayed, 2) Your quarterly edition of the Banner Blue News could be mis-delivered, 3) You may not receive information about 'rule changes' that could affect your benefits, 4) You could be misinformed about Board action and / or eligibility changes.  If you have moved recently or for any reason think we may have outdated information, please check with Marge or Carol (888-800-9161) to be sure that we have your correct name, address and phone number.
____________________________________                              Information           Transplant Recipients - Wabash announces its recent affiliation with a premier transplant network, Interlink.  If your physician has established your need for a new organ, it is important that you contact Denise at Wabash (888-800-9161) as soon as possible if you are to take full advantage of your transplant benefit in order to minimize your out-of-pocket costs.                                  Claims Adjudication Software - The Wabash Claim Department has implemented new claim adjudication software.  The intent is to insure ongoing rapid and accurate processing of your medical bills.  We solicit your patience and indulgence during this implementation phase.  Please call your personal claim representative (888-800-9161) if you experience any undue delays in the processing of your bills.                Wabash has something for everybody - We all know someone being affected by the high cost of prescription drugs.  "Friends of Wabash" is a unique program designed to save up to half of the cost of high priced brand or generic drugs.  If you have friends, parents, grandparents or neighbors that want to save money, have them visit www.drugbenefit.com.  You don't have to be a Wabash member to enjoy these savings. ________________________________