Thomas Prompt Payment / Late Payment Interest

Effective for claims paid on or after January 21, 2009, and as part of our obligation under the Thomas/Love Settlement, 8 percent annual late payment interest will be paid on certain professional claims not processed within 30 calendar days. Exceptions include claims for State Health Plan products, Medicare Supplement claims for dates of service on or after January 1, 2009, claims for the Federal Employees Health Plan, or if interest is owed as a result of the North Carolina General Statute regarding late payment interest*.

In most cases, the Thomas late payment interest will be paid at the same time as the associated claim. In addition, the Thomas late payment interest information will display on the explanation of payment (EOP) form and in Blue e^SM on the claims status transaction.

Thomas late payment interest for Medicare Supplement claims with dates of service prior to December 31, 2008, but processed after January 21, 2009, will be sent separately from the original claim payment. Accompanying the interest payments will be a letter explaining what the interest is for and including the original claim ID, patient name and ID, service date, and procedure codes. Click here for a sample of the letter that will accompany Medicare Supplement Thomas interest payments.

*Note that North Carolina General Statute (NCGS) 58-3-225 requires BCBSNC to pay 18 percent late payment interest on payable portions of claims not paid within 30 calendar days. If the Thomas requirements and NCGS requirements overlap, the higher of the two interest rates will be used to determine the interest amount.