Juliet Oni says filing TRICARE claims electronically using eZ TRICARE Claims on the Humana Military Web site, since May 2004 has been easy and hassle-free. Best of all, she says, the majority of the medical practice’s claims are now paid in just over one week.

TRICARE network providers are required to choose an electronic claims filing method to submit TRICARE claims. Ms. Oni is the office manager for Genesis Gastroenterology, a one-physician practice in Warner Robins, Ga. She manages the practice for her husband, Frederick Oni, M.D., a gastroenterologist. About 40 percent of their patients are TRICARE beneficiaries. First opening in August 2003, the office serves beneficiaries affiliated with nearby Robins Air Force Base.

Available only to TRICARE network providers, eZ TRICARE Claims is a free service with no additional hardware or software to buy. The system uploads batches of CMS-1500 claims files directly from providers’ practice management systems, which eliminates the need to rekey claims data. Encryption technology ensures that claims files are transmitted securely and in compliance with the rules of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

The system is user-friendly, but when problems arise, Availity, the vendor Humana Military partnered with to create eZ TRICARE Claims, is available to offer customer support. Ms. Oni experienced some difficulties getting started, for example.

Ms. Oni now goes online every two or three days to file claims. When information is missing or incorrect, the system alerts her immediately to supply the missing data or revise as needed.

Previously, Genesis Gastroenterology had been filing claims through a vendor and if corrections were needed, claims would be returned to her by mail. She would need to correct the mistakes and send the revised claims back, a process that took several weeks. She’s pleased that eZ TRICARE Claims eliminates such delays.

“You can correct the claim right there online,” Ms. Oni explains. “If it’s not right, the system will let you know and you won’t be able to move on without making the correction.”

With fewer claim submission errors, she can rely on the practice being paid faster. If posting claims on a Thursday, for example, she now expects to receive a check by the end of the following week.

“It’s a lot faster than the way we did it before.”

Network providers must be registered users of the Humana Military Web site to use the system. To become a registered user and sign up for eZ TRICARE Claims, visit Online Provider Services.