Yellow card: Don’t leave home without it Published June 18, 2010 By Staff Sgt. Norma Gobert 377th Medical Support Squadron Kirtland Air Force Base, NM -- When a retiree or military family member visits the 377th Medical Group, whether it is for a routine visit, or to pick up a prescription, he or she is asked for an identification card and a yellow card. Similar to the civilian health insurance system, where patients must show proof of insurance, the Air Force asks all retirees, retiree family members and active-duty family members to show proof that a DD Form 2569, Record of Other Health Insurance, is on file with the 377 MDG. The DD Form 2569 must be completed by each individual, one form per person, per year. DD Form 2569 information must be updated annually, regardless if there has been a change within the past year. Presenting the Yellow Card indicates that a person's DD Form 2569 is current or needs renewal. Civilian health insurance companies are mandated by law to reimburse the government for medical treatment provided by the 377 MDG. In turn, the 377 MDG's Other Health Insurance Program is responsible for billing the insurance companies for services performed, items used or prescriptions filled. To fulfill the insurance companies' legal requirements for documentation, the medical group must keep a DD Form 2569 on file each year, even if a patient has no other health insurance. Congress has mandated a form be completed and kept on file as a legal statement from the patient stating that he or she does not have any record of OHI. Once the civilian insurance companies are billed for the services rendered, the monies received are used for bettering the clinic's facility to enhance patient care, such as purchasing the latest medical equipment, renovating the facility and hiring more staff. When a patient uses private health insurance, all visits to the 377th Medical Group can be applied the policy's deductable. It's a win-win situation. Patients meet their annual deductible without paying a cent, and the 377 MDG builds up revenue to help continue providing quality health care. It also allows for retirees and family members to use base facilities, such as the pharmacy, and not have to pay a co-pay. The 377 MDG asks that all non-active duty patients show their yellow card with their government ID at check-in to help improve the quality of patient care they receive. The medical group staff asks for support and patience as they comply with federal law. For further assistance, visit the 377 MDG OHI representative, who is directly behind the ID/security desk, or call 853-8218 or 846-2767. Some Common OHI Questionsand answers: Q: Health insurance is one of my service benefits - why does 377 MDG have to bill my insurance company? A: Quality health care is very expensive and costs are rising at an alarming rate. Your health care is paid for by your federal tax dollars. The law requires 377 MDG to recover these costs if they are covered by insurance. Q: What effect will this have on my health insurance? A: Health insurance is intended to cover your needs for medical services listed in your policy and the premiums you pay are for those services. Since you are using that policy to allow 377 MDG to recover the costs of providing you with health care, the insurance is being used exactly as it is intended. Your premiums will not increase. Q: If the full cost of care is not recovered, will I get a bill from the 377 MDG or my insurance company? A: No. Federal tax dollars will cover any balance not covered by your insurance carrier. You will not be billed for any costs that we cannot recover from your insurance carrier. You will receive an Explanation of Benefits from your local insurance carrier. Q: When I receive care from 377 MDG, will I need to pay my policy deductible? A: No. 377 MDG will absorb the deductible. This may even satisfy your policy deductible if you later seek private medical care. Q: Where does the money go? A: Payment from your insurance company for your health care is collected and used to improve the quality of health care at 377 MDG through enhancements such as contract services for doctors and nurses and to purchase equipment and information systems. Q: What is the Yellow Card? A: It serves as verification that you have a current DD Form 2569, Third Party Collections Form, current within 365 days. Q: How often do I have to fill out the form? A: Annually or when changes are made to your insurance information.