Local Circuit Switching Capability, including Tandem Switching Capability 4.2.1 Local circuit switching capability is defined as all line-side and trunk-side facilities, plus the features, functions, and capabilities of the switch. The features, functions, and capabilities of the switch shall include the basic switching function of connecting lines to lines, lines to trunks, trunks to lines, and trunks to trunks. Local circuit switching includes all vertical features that the switch is capable of providing, including custom calling, custom local area signalling service features, and Centrex, as well as any technically feasible customized routing functions.
4.2.2 Notwithstanding BellSouth’s general duty to unbundle local circuit switching, BellSouth shall not be required to unbundle local circuit switching for ▇▇▇▇ when ▇▇▇▇: (1) serves an End User with four (4) or more voice-grade (DS0) equivalents or lines served by BellSouth in Zone 1 of one of the following MSAs: Atlanta, GA;
Value-Based Programs If you receive covered healthcare services under a Value-Based Program inside a Host Blue’s service area, you will not be responsible for paying any of the Provider Incentives, risk-sharing, and/or Care Coordinator Fees that are a part of such an arrangement, except when a Host Blue passes these fees to us through average pricing or fee schedule adjustments. The following defined terms only apply to the BlueCard section only: • Care Coordinator Fee is a fixed amount paid by us to providers periodically for Care Coordination under a Value-Based Program. • Care Coordination is organized, information-driven patient care activities intended to facilitate the appropriate responses to an enrolled member’s healthcare needs across the continuum of care. • Value-Based Program (VBP) is an outcomes-based payment arrangement and/or a coordinated care model facilitated with one or more local providers that is evaluated against cost and quality metrics/factors and is reflected in provider payment. • Provider Incentive is an additional amount of compensation paid to a healthcare provider by us, based on the provider’s compliance with agreed-upon procedural and/or outcome measures for a particular group of covered persons. Federal or state laws or regulations may require a surcharge, tax or other fee that applies to insured accounts. If applicable, we will include any such surcharge, tax or other fee as part of the claim charge passed on to you. • Enrolled Member Liability Calculation When covered healthcare services are provided outside of BCBSRI service area by nonparticipating providers, the amount an enrolled member pays for such services will generally be based on either the Host Blue’s nonparticipating provider local payment or the pricing arrangements required by applicable law. In these situations, the enrolled member may be responsible for the difference between the amount that the nonparticipating provider bills and the payment BCBSRI will make for the covered services as set forth in this paragraph. Federal or state law, as applicable, will govern payments, including but not limited to, emergency services, air ambulance services, and certain covered healthcare services rendered by a nonparticipating provider. • Exceptions In some exception cases, BCBSRI may pay claims from nonparticipating healthcare providers outside of BCBSRI service area based on the provider’s billed charge. This may occur in situations where an enrolled member did not have reasonable access to a participating provider, as determined by BCBSRI. In other exception cases, BCBSRI may pay such claims based on the payment BCBSRI would pay to a local nonparticipating provider (as described in the above subsection “How Non-network Providers Are Paid”). This may occur where the Host Blue’s corresponding payment would be more than BCBSRI in-service area nonparticipating provider payment. BCBSRI may choose to negotiate a payment with such a provider on an exception basis. Unless otherwise stated, in any of these exception situations, the enrolled member may be responsible for the difference between the amount that the nonparticipating healthcare provider bills and payment BCBSRI will make for the covered services as set forth in this paragraph. Blue Cross Blue Shield Global® Core If you are outside the United States (hereinafter “BlueCard service area”), you may be able to take advantage of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core when accessing covered healthcare services. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core is unlike the BlueCard Program available in the BlueCard service area in certain ways. For instance, although the Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core assists you with accessing a network of inpatient, outpatient and professional providers, the network is not served by a Host Blue. As such, when you receive care from providers outside the BlueCard service area, you will typically have to pay the providers and submit the claims yourself to obtain reimbursement for these services. • Inpatient Services: In most cases, if you contact the service center for assistance, hospitals will not require you to pay for covered inpatient services, except for your cost-share amounts/deductibles, coinsurance, etc. In such cases, the hospital will submit your claims to the service center to begin claims processing. However, if you paid in full at the time of service, you must submit a claim to receive reimbursement for covered healthcare services. • Outpatient Services: Physicians, urgent care centers and other outpatient providers located outside the BlueCard service area will typically require you to pay in full at the time of service. You must submit a claim to obtain reimbursement for covered healthcare services. Preauthorization may be required for outpatient services. • Submitting a Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core Claim: When you pay for covered healthcare services outside the BlueCard service area, you must submit a claim to obtain reimbursement. For institutional and professional claims, you should complete a Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core claim form and send the claim form with the provider’s itemized bill(s) to the service center (the address is on the form) to initiate claims processing. Following the instructions on the claim form will help ensure timely processing of your claim. The claim form is available from BCBSRI, the service center or online at ▇▇▇.▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇. If you need assistance with your claim submission, you should call the service center at ▇.▇▇▇.▇▇▇.▇▇▇▇ (2583) or call collect at ▇.▇▇▇.▇▇▇.▇▇▇▇, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
