Yellow card: Don’t leave home without it Published Dec. 3, 2009 By Marci Day 90th Medical Group F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- The next time a retiree or military family member visits the 90th Medical Group, whether it is for a routine visit, to pick up a prescription, get an X-ray or get lab work done, he or she will be asked for an identification card and a yellow card. Similar to the civilian health insurance system where patients are required to show proof of insurance, the Air Force asks all retirees, retiree family members and active duty family members show proof that a DD Form 2569, Record of Other Health Insurance, is on file with the 90th MDG. The DD Form 2569 must be completed by each individual, one form per person, per year. DD Form 2569 form information must be updated annually, regardless if there has been no change within the past year. Presenting the Yellow Card indicates that a person's DD Form 2569 is current or needs renewal. Civilian health insurance companies are mandated by law to reimburse the government for medical treatment provided by the 90th MDG. In turn, the 90th MDG's Other Health Insurance Program is responsible for billing the insurance companies for services performed, items used or prescriptions filled. To fulfill the insurance companies' legal requirements for documentation, the medical group must keep a DD Form 2569 on file each year, even if a patient has no other health insurance. Congress has mandated a form be completed and kept on file as a legal statement from the patient stating that he or she does not have any record of OHI. Once the civilian insurance companies are billed for the services rendered, the monies received are used for bettering the clinic's facility to enhance patient care, such as purchasing the latest medical equipment, renovating the facility and hiring more staff. When a patient uses their private health insurance, all visits to the 90th Medical Group can be applied their policy's deductible. It's a win-win situation. Patients meet their annual deductible without paying a cent, and the 90th MDG builds up revenue to help continue providing quality health care. It also allows for retirees and family members to use base facilities, such as the pharmacy, and not have to pay a co-pay. The money collected from the OHI program at the 90th MDG in 2007 was used to purchase new items: exam chairs in family practice that meet Americans with Disability Act compliance standards, an optometry exam chair and specialized optical equipment, vital sign monitors, leg press and shoe insole shaper for physical therapy, waiting room and exam room furniture, a patient care conference room and more. The 90th MDG asks that all non-active duty patients show their yellow card with their government ID at check-in to help improve the quality of patient care you receive. The medical group staff asks for support and patience as they comply with federal law. For more information, please call Marci Day, OHI representative, 773-3171 or Master Sgt. Samantha Perez, 90th MDG, 773-4373.