The Medical Group Management Association has launched a campaign to push for the widespread use of machine-readable patient identification cards by Jan. 1, 2010, Health Data Management reports.
MGMA represents physician group practice administrators.
The campaign calls for following the card implementation guide prepared by the Workgroup on Electronic Data Interchange in November 2007. The guide supported the widespread use of cards with either a magnetic strip or bar code to store data.
Saving Money?
MGMA said the adoption of standard ID cards could save $1 billion annually by preventing unnecessary administrative efforts and denied claims.
MGMA said the cards would cost about 50 cents each, "just a fraction more" than the cost of traditional paper or plastic health insurance cards.
In a statement, MGMA said, "The savings that insurers will see from reduced provider inquiries, claims reprocessing and labor will far exceed this expense" (Anderson, Health Data Management, 1/12).