EOB's available only online

[Guest cc1898]

I was just curious as to whether anyone had an opinion on a TPA choosing to only make EOB's available online to participants. Instead of issuing EOB's to participants, each month a single monthly statement would be issued covering all medical claims for the previous month. EOB's for each single claim would be available online.

I was under the impression that plans- whether they be welfare or pension- may only use the internet to make disclosures if the employees were able to access the information at their worksite.

The employees in question here do not have access to computers in their day to day work.

[leevena]

My first reaction would be to ask if regular paper/us mail is still available. If not, I would be stunned.

I have most of my bills (utility, phone, cable, etc.) sent to me via email alert. However, I have opted for that, it was not forced on me. I agree with your statement that not all employees have access to computers.

Plus, think of all the other issues that surface, such as distrust of the internet, use of someone elses computer for confidential information, the frequency of which someone changes their email address, and more. If this TPA only offers web-based, I would leave them in a NY minute.

[JanetM]

Am thinking you will have a nightmare tracking the 180 days for appeals. You have to notify the participants of a denial and then the clock starts. Don't even go down that road is my opinion. Does the TPA have provision for participants to sign up to get their stuff online?