Due to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and its implementing regulations and other guidance (HIPAA), 45 CFR, section 164.522 (Rights to Request Privacy Protection for Protected Health Information), Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama has a new policy regarding claims that members do not want filed. If a member instructs the provider not to file a claim for services through Blue Cross, a provider can honor this request and accept payment. However, a "Notification of Non-Filed Claims" form should be signed by the member prior to accepting payment.