Care Improvement Plus! This provider manual

Evidence of Coverage, on the plan website, and on denial notices. Additional questions may be directed
to Provider Relations at 1-866-679-3119.
If Care Improvement Plus upholds Part C denial, the case is then sent to an external, Independent Review
Organization (Maximus). The enrollee may keep appealing through two (2) additional levels of federal
review and ultimately seek Judicial Review.
Providers are expected to participate in member appeals.
SECTION N – ADVANCED DIRECTIVE
Every competent adult and emancipated minor has the right to execute an Advance Directive. The
Patient Self-Determination Act requires that “a provider of services” must document in the individual’s
medical record whether or not the individual has executed an Advance Directive. Institutional
participating providers must demonstrate compliance with all applicable state and federal laws and
regulations. If a non-institutional provider chooses to discuss advance directives, they must document it
in their patient’s medical charts.
Care Improvement plus routinely provides information on Advance Directives to members upon
enrollment. Provider Relations may conduct provider staff education on Advance Directives along with
regular updates and reminders. Providers seeking information on Advance Directives and/or forms can
contact the Provider Relations Department at Care Improvement Plus.
SECTION O – HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY AND
ACCOUNTABILITY ACT (HIPAA) RESPONSIBILITIES
To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the health care system, the Health Insurance Portability
and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), Public Law 104-191, included Administrative Simplification
provisions that required the United States Health and Human Services Department (HHS) to adopt
national standards for electronic health care transaction code sets, unique health identifiers, and security.
At the same time, Congress recognized that advances in electronic technology could erode the privacy of
health information. Consequently, Congress incorporated HIPAA provisions that mandated the adoption
of Federal privacy protections for individually identifiable health information.
HHS published a final Privacy Rule in December 2000, which was later modified in August 2002. This
Rule set national standards for the protection of individually identifiable health information by three
types of covered entities: health plans, health care clearinghouses, and health care providers who conduct
the standard health care transactions electronically. Compliance with the Privacy Rule was required as of
April 14, 2003 (April 14, 2004, for small health plans).
HHS published a final Security Rule in February 2003. This Rule sets national standards for protecting
the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic protected health information. Compliance with
the Security Rule was required as of April 20, 2005 (April 20, 2006 for small health plans).
The Office of Civil Rights administers and enforces the Privacy Rule and Security Rule.
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