An in-network provider is one who has contracted with Aspirus Health Plan to provide services to our members for specific pre-negotiated rates. An out-of-network provider is one who has not contracted with Aspirus Health Plan. Typically, if you visit a physician or other provider in-network, the amount you will be responsible for paying will be less than if you go to an out-of-network provider. While there are some exceptions, in many cases, Aspirus Health Plan will either pay less or not pay anything for services you receive from out-of-network providers. As a general rule, HMO and POS plans make use of provider networks. Some exceptions to out-of-network liability would be lab work, radiology, or pathology sent from your in-network doctor or facility to an outsourced facility that is out-of-network. Since the member does not have control over where labs or pathology is being sent, we would allow at the in-network benefit level.
At the written request of our members, Aspirus Health Plan will provide a good faith estimate of the reimbursement Aspirus Health Plan will expect to pay and the member’s responsibility (out-of-pocket costs) for the specified health care service being considered. This process does not take the place of a prior authorization, prior approval, or pre-certification.
Please be aware that any requested pre-service estimate is a verification of benefits and not a guarantee of payment. Payment is based on the terms, conditions, and provisions of the policy/plan and is subject to the provider’s contracted rates in effect at the time the service is performed including, but not limited to:
Non-participating provider reimbursement value will apply to non-participating providers and services rendered. This means enrollees are responsible for any charge that exceeds the non-participating provider reimbursement value for authorized services received from non-participating providers. The amount the plan pays for covered services is based on the allowed amount. If an out-of-network provider charges more than the allowed amount, you may have to pay the difference. For example, if an out-of-network hospital charges $1,500 for an overnight stay and the allowed amount is $1,000, you may have to pay the $500 difference. (This is called balance billing.)
Non-participating provider reimbursement value will apply to non-participating providers and services rendered. This means enrollees are responsible for any charge that exceeds the non-participating provider reimbursement value for authorized services received from non-participating providers. Also, the estimate of out-of-pocket expenses that will be prepared is based on information submitted to Aspirus Health Plan, along with claims and benefits we have processed at the time of our inquiry response. Aspirus Health Plan will assume no modifications or complications occur in the treatment plan.
For more information about balance billing select the link below to access a summary with frequently asked questions (FAQ) on the Consolidations Appropriations Act (CAA)
Consolidations Appropriations Act (CAA) No Surprises Act & Transparency in Coverage FAQ (PDF)
After health care services are provided to you, a claim must be correctly submitted to us. The claim can be submitted by you or the health care provider. Participating providers will handle the coding and submission of claims on your behalf.
For non-participating providers who do not code and/or submit claims, the following information must be filed with us within the time frame specified in your certificate of coverage.
Aspirus Health Plan Claim Form (PDF)
Covered persons who receive health care services in a country other than the United States will need to pay for expenses up front and then submit the claim to us for reimbursement. We will reimburse you for any covered amount in U.S. currency. The reimbursed amount will be based on the U.S. equivalency rate that is in effect on the date you paid the claim or on the date of service if paid date is not known.
Enrollee claim submission time frames are specific to the certificate of coverage. A typical time frame is 90 days from service date, but can vary based on the specific certificate provided. Enrollees can submit any type of form as a claim as long as it meets the criteria below:
Claims address:
Aspirus Health Plan
PO Box 1062, Minneapolis, MN 55440
Customer Service:
Phone: 866.631.5404 (TTY: 1.866.631.8597)
Enrollees who are enrolled in coverage but fail to make premium payment by the assigned due date have a grace period before their coverage can be terminated. The grace period is different for individuals who receive an advance premium tax credit (APTC) and those who do not. Individuals receiving an APTC have a grace period of three months. Those who do not receive an APTC have a grace period that is set by state law or regulations.
Claim pending means the issuer has not yet paid the medical claim.
Issuers are required to pay for medical care received during the first month of the grace period for enrollees who are receiving an APTC. However, for the second and third months of the grace period, issuers may withhold or “pend” payment for medical claims until the enrollee pays all outstanding premiums. If payments are not made in full and the plan is terminated, the individual will be responsible for paying any medical expenses incurred during the second and third months of the grace period.
If we pay for more benefits than what we are liable to pay for under this policy, including, but not limited to, benefits paid in error by us, we can recover the excess benefit payments from any person, organization, physician, hospital, or other health care provider that has received such excess benefit payments. We can also recover such excess benefit payments from any other insurance company, service plan, or benefit plan that has received such excess benefit payments.
You may be able to prevent retroactive denials by ensuring that claims submitted are accurate and duplicate submissions are not sent. If a corrected claim is being sent in, please use the corrected claim cover sheet. Please call Customer Service at 866.631.5404 prior to treatment for verification of benefits or following the prior authorization process can also eliminate some retroactive denials.
Enrollees will be refunded any premium overpayment that we receive less any claims paid during the period of time the enrollee was not eligible under the policy (if applicable). Requests for refund of premium overpayment can be made through written or electronic correspondence or by calling Customer Service at 866.631.5404.
Medical necessity is used to describe care that is reasonable, necessary, and/or appropriate, based on evidence-based clinical standards of care. The definition of medically necessary is a health care service or facility determined to be consistent with and appropriate for the diagnosis or treatment of your illness or injury;
A prior authorization is the process of receiving written approval for certain services or products prior to services being rendered. It is a written form submitted to us by your provider. Services are still subject to all plan provisions including, but not limited to, medical necessity and plan exclusions. Some services may require prior authorization and/or be subject to review for medical necessity.
Under the provision of the plan, all prior authorizations must be approved by the Plan Medical Director or an authorized designee prior to dates of service requested. If the prior authorization is not approved prior to the service being received or prior to receiving services from a non-participating provider, additional out-of-pocket expenses up to the limits of the plan may be applicable. Prior authorization does not apply to services or charges that are excluded by the plan.
Failure to comply with our prior authorization requirements will initially result in no benefits being paid under the policy. If, however, a health care service is denied solely because you did not obtain our priorauthorization, you can request that we review and reconsider the denial of benefits by following the Internal Grievance and Appeals Procedures outlined in your or the member’s policy. If you provide information that shows the health care service would have been covered under the policy if you had followed the prior authorization process, we will overturn the prior authorization penalty and reprocess the affected claim(s) in accordance with your standard benefits.”
Urgent request: Requests for medical care or services where application of the time frame for making routine or non-life threatening care determinations:
Concurrent request: A request for coverage of medical care or services made while a member is in the process of receiving the requested medical care or services. These requests are reviewed within 72 hours of receipt of the request.
Non-urgent request: A request for medical care or services for which application of the time periods for making a decision does not jeopardize the life or health of the member or the member’s ability to regain maximum function and would not subject the member to severe pain. These requests are reviewed within 15 calendar days of receipt of the request.
Yes, formulary and non-formulary drugs which are determined to have medical utility, but also require a higher degree of review to determine appropriateness, are required to undergo prior authorization.
Initial Review of Formulary Exception Request
Sometimes you may need a drug that is not listed on your health plan’s formulary (drug list). You may request coverage of such non-formulary drugs by submitting a formulary exception request. Navitus Health Solutions will perform the initial review of your formulary exception request.
To submit a formulary exception request, you or your prescribing provider must complete and fax the form located here, to Navitus Health Solutions at 1.855.668.8551 or mail it to the following address:
Navitus Health Solutions
PO Box 999
Appleton, WI 54912-0999
Note: If you are suffering from an acute condition that may jeopardize your life, health, or ability to recover from your illness, you may request an expedited review of your formulary exception request by writing “EXPEDITED REVIEW” on the form.
The timeframe for initial review of a non-expedited formulary exception request is 72 hours from when we receive the request.
The timeframe for review of an expedited formulary exception request is 24 hours from when we receive the request.
External Review of Formulary Exception Request
If you feel we have incorrectly denied your formulary exception request, you may ask for an external review of the denial by an impartial, third-party reviewer known as an independent review organization (IRO). We must follow the IRO’s decision.
To request an external review by an IRO, you, your authorized representative, or your prescribing provider must call Customer Care at 1.866.333.2757, fax a written request to 1.855.668.8551, or mail a written request to the following address:
Navitus Health Solutions
PO Box 999
Appleton, WI 54912-0999
The timeframe for external review of a non-expedited formulary exception request that was initially denied is 72 hours from when we receive the request.
The timeframe for external review of an expedited formulary exception request that was initially denied is 24 hours from when we receive the request.
An Explanation of Benefits (EOB) is a written explanation of how a medical claim was processed according to your plan benefits. It contains detailed information about what the insurance plan paid and what portion of the costs you are responsible for. EOBs are sent after a claim is received and adjudicated.
Coordination of Benefits (COB) applies to all health provisions of policies that pay benefits for expenses incurred. COB provisions apply when you have health coverage under more than one plan and eliminate duplication of benefits. The order of benefit determination rules determine which plan will pay as the primary plan. The primary plan pays without regard to the possibility that another plan may cover some expenses. A secondary plan pays after the primary plan and may reduce the benefits it pays so that payments from all plans do not exceed 100% of the total allowable expense.