September 2007 Volume VI, Issue 9
Importance of Employee Communications
Most employers with a consumer driven health care that consists of a high deductible plan (HDHP) and an HSA are only seeing an average of 5 percent increases compared to an average of 13 to 15 percent for traditional PPOs. So what is the reason some employers today have not offered a consumer driven health care plan or if they have that employees are not electing that plan model?
Click here to read more about employee communications.
Inventory Information Approval System (IIAS)
The IRS Notice 2006-69 allows for auto-adjudication for an additional category of claims under the merchant based inventory information approval system (IIAS). As described below, under such an arrangement, a real-time determination is made by the merchant at the point of sale of the amount of eligible medical expenses by comparing the selected items to a pre-approved list. No additional substantiation is required if a merchant compares the item or items to a pre-determined list maintained by the merchant of items sold by the merchant that constitute Code Section 213(d) expenses and restricts use of the Card only to those items that fall on that list. However, as noted below, the employer (or its TPA) must have access to claims level detail provided at the time of the transaction or a later date.
Click here to read more about employee communications.
Improved Debit Card Feature Coming Soon
Along with the Inventory Information Approval System (IIAS) another change coming soon are Partial Authorizations.
DataPath has worked directly with FiServ on a feature to allow for partial authorizations. Partial authorization will ensure that the debit card will no longer be declined for an insufficient account. Instead the card holder will be prompted to submit another method of payment for the remaining amount due (split tender). Partial authorization will only work at merchants that allow for split tender purchases.
Click here to read more about Partial Authorization.
inTouchSM - DataPath Client Portal
As part of our “We are listening” initiative, we have developed a new self service solution called inTouchSM - DataPath Client Portal. Our inTouchSM Client Portal will create a dynamic experience for all your DataPath needs, such as access to online support query, view recent updates and downloads, and DataPath news.
Click here for more information about inTouchSM.
HIPAA and Personal Health Records (PHRs)
The American Bar Association’s Joint Committee on Employee Benefits has posted its report of its annual question and answer session with representatives from HHS’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
Click here to read the Q & As.
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© 2007 DataPath, Inc.