Presented below are some of the questions that frequently are asked by our partners. If you have a question that is not addressed below or if you would like further clarification, please send an e-mail to marketing@interlinkhealth.com or call (800) 599-9119.

 

 

 

General Questions

 

  1. What is an outcome-based transplant network?
  2. Is INTERLINK affiliated with any other health care organization?
  3. Do INTERLINK contracts place a patient higher on the waiting list for transplant?
  4. Does INTERLINK require exclusivity in its client partnership agreement?
  5. Is INTERLINK's web site secure?

 

 

Referrals to INTERLINK

 

  1. What is a Transplant Referral Form?
  2. How do I submit a referral to INTERLINK?
  3. What happens when I send a referral to INTERLINK?
  4. What should I do if I have an urgent case to refer?
  5. Does INTERLINK have a minimum benefit limitation on potential transplant referrals?
  6. Can a patient be double listed for transplant with INTERLINK?

 

 

Facility Contracts

 

  1. What is a Memorandum of Understanding or MOU?
  2. What is a Contract Rate Summary or CRS?
  3. How does INTERLINK obtain such strong global rates?
  4. If contacted, will INTERLINK provide contracted rates over the phone or via e-mail?
  5. Does INTERLINK negotiate with transplant centers not listed on the network map?
  6. Does INTERLINK own its own contracts?

 

 

Claims Operations

 

  1. What is the average turnaround time on claims?
  2. What should I do if I receive claims directly from the provider?
  3. How can I obtain a claim status update?

 

 

Network Development

 

  1. How does INTERLINK decide which providers and programs to include in the network?
  2. Which providers and programs are included in INTERLINK's Transplant Network?

 

 

Educational Programs

 

  1. What educational materials does INTERLINK provide?
  2. Does INTERLINK provide orientation for its partners?
  3. Will an INTERLINK representative come to my office to perform training?

 

 

 

General Questions

 

  1. What is an outcome-based transplant network?

    An outcome-based transplant network is a group of transplant providers throughout the nation that have undergone a rigorous credentialing process to ensure outcomes meet or exceed an established set of guidelines. Outcomes evaluated include patient survival, graft survival, length of stay, volume, physician experience, and accreditations, among others. 


    Providers that have met these guidelines are very experienced in transplant care and have minimized complications associated with treatment, which, in general, leads to lower average billed charges than a center with less experience. An outcome-based transplant network, such as INTERLINK Health Services inc., is able to approach these providers and pre-negotiate contracts for services. These contracts then become accessible to our clients upon referral.
     

  2. Is INTERLINK affiliated with any other health care organization?
    No. INTERLINK is an independent company without ties to any other health care organizations, therefore we are able to focus on the best interests of our clients and their members.
     
  3. Do INTERLINK contracts place a patient higher on the waiting list for transplant?
    Accessing an INTERLINK contract does not change the patient’s status on the waiting list for transplantation, however it does provide access to the best centers nationwide for transplant care. Only factors such as severity of illness, availability of donors, and level of match between donor and recipient will affect a transplant candidate’s length of time on the waiting list.
     
  4. Does INTERLINK require exclusivity in its client partnership agreement?
    No. INTERLINK believes in providing options to our clients and their members. We are confident that our superior customer service and strong contracts will earn our clients’ loyalty, not legally binding contracts with long-term commitments.
     
  5. Is INTERLINK's web site secure?
    Yes. INTERLINK is VeriSign secured. VeriSign SSL provides the strongest possible encryption to web site users. Click on the VeriSign seal found at the bottom of the Transplant Referral Form page to verify in real time that INTERLINK has been approved by VeriSign to protect confidential information.

 

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Referrals to INTERLINK

 

  1. What is a Transplant Referral Form?
    A Transplant Referral Form notifies INTERLINK of a potential transplant. This form asks the referral source to provide basic information related to the potential transplant so we can begin to process your referral. The Transplant Referral form can be completed via our secure website or fax.
     
  2. How do I submit a referral to INTERLINK?
    A Transplant Referral Form can be submitted one of two ways; electronically (preferred) or via fax (503) 640-2028.
     
  3. What happens when I send a referral to INTERLINK?
    After a Transplant Referral form is submitted to INTERLINK, we will begin processing it immediately and will respond with a confirmation letter within 48 hours. Then, we will send the Contract Rate Summary (CRS) and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for signature, which must be returned to INTERLINK within 30 days. Upon receipt of the signed MOU, we will notify the provider that the patient’s potential transplant shall be paid under INTERLINK’s agreement. Finally, we will send a letter to the referral source to confirm that the agreement is in place and that all claims should be directed to INTERLINK for repricing. For a paper flow sample, please go to the Operational Materials section of our website.
     
  4. What should I do if I have an urgent case to refer?
    If an urgent case arises, please refer the patient as you would a normal case via the Transplant Referral Form. However, please follow-up with a phone call to our Referral Specialist at (800) 599-9119 to notify us that we need to expedite the process.
     
  5. Does INTERLINK have a minimum benefit limitation on potential transplant referrals?
    INTERLINK does not have a specific minimum benefit limitation at this time. If the potential transplant candidate does have benefit limitations, you must contact INTERLINK’s Referral Specialist at (800) 599-9119 and disclose the limitation. At that time, a decision will be made as to whether or not the case can be accepted.
     
  6. Can a patient be double listed for transplant with INTERLINK?
    Yes. If patient is double listed, INTERLINK will provide rates for applicable providers.

 

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Facility Contracts

 

  1. What is a Memorandum of Understanding or MOU?
    A Memorandum of Understanding or MOU is an executable one-page document that the employer’s health plan or an authorized representative signs. This document legally binds the payor to the terms of the applicable Contract Rate Summary for a specific patient.
     
  2. What is a Contract Rate Summary or CRS?
    A Contract Rate Summary is a summary of applicable financial terms related to a specific patient’s potential transplant based on the agreement between INTERLINK and the provider. CRSs are only released upon receipt of a Notice of Potential Transplant. The CRS must be accompanied by a signed MOU to become active.
     
  3. How does INTERLINK obtain such strong global rates?
    INTERLINK focuses on those centers with the very best outcomes for specific transplant types. By providing volume to these centers and by maximizing exclusivity, cost savings become available through contracted rates.
     
  4. If contacted, will INTERLINK provide contracted rates over the phone or via e-mail?
    No. A Transplant Referral Form must be submitted before rates can released in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding.
     
  5. Does INTERLINK negotiate with transplant centers not listed on the network map?
    Yes, however we encourage our clients to pursue network centers whenever possible to ensure patients are receiving care at leading transplant institutions.
     
  6. Does INTERLINK own its own contracts?
    Yes. INTERLINK’s contracting department negotiates with each provider individually to obtain a contract for services that meets our established standards.

 

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Claims Operations

 

  1. What is the average turnaround time on claims?
    INTERLINK's claims operations are nationally recognized for effectiveness and efficiency. We are committed to repricing claims and submitting them to the payor within 72 business hours of receipt, however currently average turnaround time is 24 hours!
     
  2. What should I do if I receive claims directly from the provider?
    If a payor receives claims directly from the provider, it is very important to contact INTERLINK’s Claims Department immediately. All claims related to a patient’s transplant must be sent to INTERLINK for repricing. Denial Verbiage is available to notify the provider of this process.
     
  3. How can I obtain a claim status update?
    Please submit your request via our Claim Status Inquiry in the Claims Connection section of our website and a Claims Analyst will respond to your inquiry within 48 business hours. Or, contact our Claims Department for immediate assistance at (800) 599-9119.

 

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Network Development

 

  1. How does INTERLINK decide which providers and programs to include in the network?
    Before a transplant provider and its programs can participate in INTERLINK’s Transplant Network, three things must happen. First, there must be a need for transplant services in a geographic region.  Second, the provider and programs are carefully evaluated to ensure an extensive list of outcomes criteria are met. Lastly, the provider must offer a contract for services that conforms to INTERLINK’s established contracting standards.
     
  2. Which providers and programs are included in INTERLINK's Transplant Network?
    The most current list of approved providers and programs can be found in the Network Map section of our website.

 

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Educational Programs

 

  1. What educational materials does INTERLINK provide?
    INTERLINK has invested heavily in education programs to ensure our clients and their members are able to make informed decisions regarding transplant care. We currently offer a variety of programs, including TransplantCE Web Based Training, Quick Reference Guides, Candidate Education Booklets, Transplant Provider Outcomes Data, Medical Round Table Teleconferences, and Educational Conferences. Additionally, our Chief Medical Officer and Director of Transplant Management are available to answer your questions. To learn more about any of these programs, please contact our Marketing Department at (800) 599-9119 or at marketing@interlinkhealth.com.
     
  2. Does INTERLINK provide orientation for its partners?
    Yes. INTERLINK has developed a structured implementation process for our clients and providers to develop relationships and ensure processes are in place to handle transplant referrals as they come up. For more information on either client of facility implementation, please contact our Implementation Coordinator at (800) 599-9119.
     
  3. Will an INTERLINK representative come to my office to perform training?
    Yes. Our sales team is constantly traveling nationally to meet with new and current clients. Our team is available to educate and train our clients’ employees, including case managers, sales team members, and claims processors about our company and processes. Please contact our Sales Department to find out when we’ll be in your area next.

 

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