Third party collections a win-win program

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Amy Kintzle
  • 460th Medical Support Squadron
The next time you visit the 460th Medical Group, whether for an appointment, to pick up a prescription or to get lab work done, you will be asked to show your "yellow card."

Similar to a civilian health insurance system where patients are required to show proof of insurance, the Air Force asks all retirees, retiree dependents and dependents of active-duty members to show proof that a current "Record of Other Health Insurance" (Department of Defense Form 2569) is filed in their medical record. That proof is the yellow card.

Health insurance companies are mandated by law to reimburse the government for medical treatment provided at Buckley Air Force Base. In turn, the 460th Medical Group's third-party collections program is responsible for billing the insurance companies for services performed, items used or prescriptions filled.

The monies received are used for purchasing new medical equipment, renovating the treatment facility and hiring more staff, among other purposes. All non-active-duty patients are required to  show their yellow card with their government identification at check-in.

What if you don't have other health insurance?

You will still need to complete and sign a DD Form 2569 to certify that you have no other health insurance.

How does letting the 460th MDG know that I have other health insurance benefit the patient?

One word: deductible. When you use your private health insurance, all visits to the 460th Medical Group can be applied to your policy's deductible. You will meet your annual deductible without paying a cent, and the 460th MDG increases revenues to continue providing quality health care for you.

Will other health insurance rates go up if you release this information to the 460th MDG?

Insurance rates are calculated a number of ways. The cost of your employer's health insurance is dependent on the total number of claims it has across the entire organization plus other factors including adding or subtracting people on the plan, changing deductibles and co-pays or offering a health maintenance organization versus a preferred provider organization. These things will happen regardless of whether you receive care at Buckley Air Force Base or another area healthcare facility.

What if your health insurance changes?

Please notify the medical technician or receptionist immediately upon check-in. We will give you another form to complete and file it in your medical record for safekeeping.

Third Party Liability

If a patient's visit to a clinic is attributed to a suspected disease (such as food poisoning) or injury that occurred as a result of an accident, please notify the provider. All providers are required to document such cases under the Federal Medical Care Recovery Act. These claims are then submitted to the 460th Space Wing Staff Judge Advocate for review. If the SJA determines your injury or disease was the fault of another party or occurred on public or private property, the United States will attempt to recover the medical care costs. Patients will provide a complete statement regarding the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident only when contacted by the SJA.

If you have questions or need more information, call Senior Airman Amy Kintzle at 720-847-6564.