BCBS approves QAS

[ALCapshaw2]

I just received notification that "Effective December 15, 2006, QAS will be contracted as an in-network provider with Blue Cross Blue Shield".

They (QAS) go on to say that "testing supplies *deemed medically necessary by your insurance company* will no longer require full payment prior to shipment.

BEFORE ordering supplies, I would suggest contacting QAS at 800-298-4515 to VERIFY that YOUR insurance plan agrees that home testing is "medically necessary" and is indeed a COVERED benefit. I also suggest contacting your insurance company representative. Hopefully you will be able to get through to someone who KNOWS what Anti-Coagulation Testing is and can tell you if it is a covered benefit with YOUR policy.

My Protime INR Test Instrument was covered by BCBS of Alabama as an exception, BUT when I went to re-order testing supplies (i.e. test strips) I was told that DME (Durable Medical Equipment) had to go through the Home Office of my company and Home Testing is NOT an approved benefit in THAT state. CATCH 22. It will be interesting to see if THAT situation has changed... Fingers Crossed!

Bottom Line: VERIFY your coverage before ordering anything!

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Karlynn]

Good news because that 2nd party I have to go through really jacks up the price of the strips. It cuts the cost of my copay in half being able to go directly with QAS.

 

[LUVMyBirman]

That's good to know Karlynn. Can I ask what you pay for a box of strips?

 

[Karlynn]

They charge BCBS $325, I believe. I think the QAS cost is ~$150. So a 10% copay means the difference of $32 and $15. This has really irked me. But I paid a lot more per test for my ProTime and with all the blown test due to air bubbles, my INRatio testing is still a lot less expensive. $3.25 a test (strip). I can't complain....but I will anyway.

 

[LUVMyBirman]

WOW. Karlynn. Thanks for the info. That is still about half of what I pay right now for strips at a cash price for the Coaguchek. That is....if I could still purchase them