Why Medicare Carve-out Program Health ID Cards Look Different

Cards were simplified, leaving off unnecessary information.

Some participants and benefits administrators have noticed that the health ID cards for the NRECA Medicare Carve-out Program are without copay, coinsurance, deductible, PPO network logo and SHARE information. While past carve-out program health ID cards had this information, it isn’t a mistake that current ones do not.

Medicare is primary; NRECA is secondary

Since Medicare is the primary insurer for the carve-out program for Medicare-eligible retirees and their Medicare-eligible dependents, these benefit features don’t apply for primary benefits. A claim is first submitted to and processed by Medicare, as the primary insurer. The claim is then passed to CBA to process secondary benefits. At that point, CBA can determine copay, coinsurance and deductibles amounts that apply. Since CBA pays all carve-out program claims at the in-network benefit level, there’s no need for a PPO network logo. And since Medicare is the primary insurer, SHARE isn’t required.

Other changes appear on cards

While this unnecessary information has been removed to simplify carve-out program health ID cards, these ID cards do include the other changes, such as the new unique member ID. There also are instructions for filing a claim with Medicare first.

If you have any questions, contact the Member Contact Center at 1.866.673.2299 or at contactcenter@nreca.coop.