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TRICARE Contractor Changes 2025: A Guide for Healthcare Providers

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TRICARE Contractor Changes: What Providers Need to Know Important Update: TRICARE Regional Changes As of January 1, 2025, significant changes are impacting TRICARE's regional contractor structure. These changes will affect how healthcare providers submit claims for services rendered to TRICARE beneficiaries. Key Changes: Regional Shifts: Six states will transition from the East Region to the West Region: Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wisconsin. New Contractor for West Region: TriWest Healthcare Alliance will replace Health Net Federal Services, LLC.  New Claims Processor for East Region: Humana Military will remain the regional contractor, however PGBA will replace Wisconsin Physician Service (WPS) as Claims Processor Claim Submission: West Region:  Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wisconsin. Claims with a date of service in 2025 must be submitt...

Documenting My Web Development Journey: Learning HTML

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Documenting My Web Development Journey: Learning HTML I have recently started learning web development , and I thought it would be a good idea to document my journey and share what I learn along the way. Before I begin, I want to note that I’m simply sharing my understanding as I learn from various sources. I’m primarily following this course on Udemy along with other helpful resources. If you're interested, you can also check out the course and join me on this journey! What is HTML? From my understanding, HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is the language used to create and structure web pages . Like every language, HTML has its own syntax and structure . An HTML document begins with <html> and ends with </html> . In between, we use various tags to build the content of a web page. Basic HTML Structure HTML is typically divided into the following parts: <html> : The root element that wraps all the content. ...

Simplify Your Digital Tasks with TinyWow: The Ultimate Free Online Tool

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Simplify Your Digital Tasks with TinyWow: The Ultimate Free Online Tool In today’s fast-paced digital world, managing files and performing quick edits can often be a hassle. But what if there was a way to handle all your digital tasks effortlessly, without downloading any software or signing up for an account? Enter TinyWow.com, the ultimate free online platform designed to make your life easier. Why TinyWow? TinyWow offers a wide range of tools to help you with your daily digital tasks. Whether you need to edit documents, convert images, or handle video files, TinyWow has got you covered. Here are some of the key features that make Tin...

No More Confusion! Find Your BCBS State Portal for Easy Claims & Eligibility Checks

Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is a leading health insurance provider in the US. However, BCBS operates as a network of independent companies in each state. This can be confusing for healthcare providers and patients trying to access claim status and eligibility information. Never waste time searching again! This blog post provides a helpful reference list of all BCBS state licensees and their respective claim status and eligibility verification websites: State/Territory Companies/Licensee Name Website to check claim status Alabama ...

Independent Lab Billing Process - Genetic Testing (Part -3)

Independent laboratories play a crucial role in healthcare, providing essential diagnostic services. However, navigating the complexities of billing can be daunting. Let's break down the key aspects of independent lab billing: General Guidelines CLIA Certification: Ensure lab is CLIA-certified to meet quality standards to bill insurance providers. Accurate Coding: Use correct CPT and ICD-10 codes for precise billing. Insurance Contracting: Establishing contracts with insurance providers to determine reimbursement rates and payment terms. Compliance: Adhere to HIPAA and other relevant regulations to protect patient privacy. Billing and Claim Submission: Follow specific procedures for each insurance provider, including electronic submission and paper claims. Billing to Different Payers Medicare: Comply with Medicare Fee Schedule and other regulations. Use correct CPT and ICD-10 codes. Submit claims electronically through a clearinghouse or directly to Medicare. M...

Why Your 128GB USB Drive Shows Only 115GB: A Storage Mystery Solved

 Have you ever bought a 128GB USB drive, only to find that your computer shows it as 115GB or less? This isn't a trick or a manufacturing defect; it's a result of how storage is measured and formatted. The Decimal vs. Binary Conundrum Decimal Measurement: Storage manufacturers use the decimal system (base 10) to calculate storage. This means 1GB is 1,000,000,000 bytes. Binary Measurement: Computers, however, use the binary system (base 2), where 1GB is actually 1,073,741,824 bytes. This difference in measurement can lead to a significant discrepancy in perceived storage capacity. File System Overhead When you format a storage device, the file system (like NTFS or FAT32) takes up some space for its own operations. This overhead further reduces the usable storage capacity. Why Does This Happen? Marketing Practices: Manufacturers often advertise storage capacity using decimal measurements, which are easier to understand for consumers. Technical Limitations: The binary s...

Removing Non-Breaking Spaces from Excel Cells: A Quick Guide

Many times there comes a scenario where we need to remove extra space from text in cell which has numbers in it, the Trim() function only doesn't work, we may need to use TRIM function combined with any other function (or) need to use VALUE function combined with any other function. Excel's  TRIM()  function is a lifesaver when it comes to removing leading and trailing spaces from text. However, it can be less effective when dealing with non-breaking spaces, which are often used to prevent text from breaking to the next line. The extra space is not a space it is a non-breaking space recognized as CHAR(160), to remove this non-breaking space need to use the below formula, VALUE(SUBSTITUTE(A2, CHAR(160),)) Example: If cell A2 contains the text "225422  " (with a non-breaking space after the number), applying the formula would result in "225422" with no extra spaces. By following these steps, you can effectively remove non-...

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

Ubuntu 24.04 Noble Numbat is a long-term support release that was released on 25 April 2024. It is based on systemd v255.4 and Linux kernel 6.8, which includes supports for more gamepads and better swap memory handling. As part of an upgrade to GNOME 46, many apps have been updated to use libadwaita and GTK4. Nautilus, the file manager, has received several quality-of-life features, and Wi-Fi settings now include an option to generate a QR code for network credentials. Notifications now include a header for the sender app's name, settings have been reorganized, touch users now tap to click by default, and users can now log in from a remote desktop.   GNOME Games is now never bundled on install. Thunderbird is now provided as only its snap version. The latest version can be installed from the official website  Ubuntu 24.04.1 LTS

Streamline Your BCBS Calls: A Guide to Accurate Member ID Input

Calling BCBS for claim status or eligibility verification can be a time-consuming process. One common frustration is entering the correct member ID. By following these simple steps, you can increase your chances of connecting with the right BCBS plan and get the information you need more efficiently. Steps: Call the BCBS Blue Card number: 1 (800) 676-BLUE (2583). Enter the prefix of the member's ID: Using the keypad on your phone, input the alpha prefix found at the beginning of the member ID. Here's a handy reference: A = 21 B = 22 C = 23 D = 31 E = 32 F = 33 G = 41 H = 42 I = 42 J = 51 K = 52 L = 53 M = 61 N = 62 O = 63 P = 71 Q = 7 R = 73 S = 74 T = 81 U = 82 V = 83 W = 91 X = 92 Y = 93 Z = 9 ...

Independent Lab Billing Process - Genetic Testing (Part -2)

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Genetic testing is a type of medical test that identifies changes in genes, chromosomes, or proteins. The results of a genetic test can confirm or rule out a suspected genetic condition or help determine a person’s chance of developing or passing on a genetic disorder. More than 77,000 genetic tests are currently in use, and others are being developed. Genetic testing involves looking for changes in:  Genes : Gene tests study DNA sequences to identify variations (mutations) in genes that can cause or increase the risk of a genetic disorder. Chromosomes : Chromosomal genetic tests analyze whole chromosomes or long lengths of DNA to see if there are large genetic changes, such as an extra copy of a chromosome, that cause a genetic condition. Proteins : Biochemical genetic tests study the amount or activity level of proteins or enzymes; abnormalities in either can indicate changes to the DNA that result in a genetic disorder. Next we will ...

Independent Lab Billing Process - Intro (Part -1)

The Independent Lab Billing Process in Medical Billing The world of medical billing can be a complex one, and independent lab billing adds another layer of intrigue. Unlike traditional physician billing, independent labs deal directly with multiple insurance payers for a high volume of lower-cost services. This post will shed light on the independent lab billing process Step 1: Order Received & Sample Collection The journey begins when a physician orders a test for their patient. The independent lab receives the order and collects the necessary sample (blood, urine, etc.). Step 2: Coding & Charge Capture Here's where things get specific. Lab technicians perform the tests, and then comes the crucial step of coding. Using Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes, you'll assign the correct code for each service rendered. Accuracy is paramount, as these codes determine your reimbursement. Software can help automate this process, but a keen eye is still e...