RA Messages for January 5, 2010


PHARMACY PROVIDERS, PLEASE NOTE!!!

If you are unsure about the coverage of a drug product, please contact the PBM help desk at 1-800-648-0790.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING CHANGES TO APPENDIX A

DRUG                                                                                 DOSE                 STRGTH             FUL                 EFF
NITROGLYCERIN                                                         TAB SUBL              0.3MG         OFF LMAC     12/14/2009
NITROGLYCERIN                                                         TAB SUBL              0.4MG         OFF LMAC     12/14/2009
ACETIC ACID/ALUMINUM ACETATE                       OTIC DROPS            2%            OFF LMAC     12/17/2009

Detailed LMAC and FUL changes are posted on www.lamedicaid.com.

Please file adjustments for claims that may have been incorrectly paid. Only those products of the manufacturers which participate in the Federal Rebate Program will be covered by the Medicaid program. Participation may be verified in Appendix C, available at www.lamedicaid.com


NURSING HOME PROVIDERS

2010 Nursing Home Case-Mix Rate Training Workshop is scheduled for January 25, 2010 from 1:00 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. at the Department of Environmental Quality, Galvez Building, Oliver Pollock Conference Room C111, 602 N. Fifth Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802.

This program has been designed to provide nursing facility personnel and consultants an understanding of the Louisiana case-mix rate methodology, case-mix calculations, fair rental value bed-buy back, private room conversions, and the use of cost report data.

The training is appropriate for Cost Report Preparers, Accountants (including Home Office Staff), CFO's, Controllers, Office Managers, and Others involved in Case-Mix Rate Reviews. 4 CPE credits: Specialized Knowledge & Applications. Submit registration by January 18, 2010. To download the registration form, go to http://www.dhh.la.gov/offices/events.asp?ID=111&detail=7910 or contact Myers & Stauffer LC @ 1-800-374-6858.


ATTENTION HOSPITAL PROVIDERS

Effective December 1, 2009, Ambulatory Surgery is exempt from the 24 hour rule in which outpatient services exceeding 24 hours in duration are deemed inpatient. Ambulatory surgery (Revenue Code 490) and the other revenue codes associated with the surgery may now be billed as outpatient regardless of the duration of the outpatient stay.

Any questions should be directed to Provider Relations.


ATTENTION PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ANESTHESIA PROVIDERS
IMPLEMENTATION OF REIMBURSEMENT RATE REDUCTIONS

Effective with dates of service on or after August 4, 2009, the reimbursement rates for anesthesia services that are performed under the professional licensure of a physician (anesthesiologist or other specialty) are reduced by 3.5% of the fee amounts on file as of August 3, 2009. An emergency rule regarding these reductions was published in the August 20, 2009, issue of the Louisiana Register.

Providers will begin seeing these reductions on the RA of January 5, 2010. Claims for date of service August 4, 2009, that were adjudicated prior to January 5, 2010, will be systematically adjusted and no action is required by providers. Providers should monitor future RAs for updates regarding these adjustments. Notification will be made via remittance advice message when the recycle occurs. Effective for dates of service on or after November 20, 2009, maternity-related anesthesia services and anesthesia services rendered to recipients under the age of 16 shall be exempt from the August 4, 2009, rate reduction on anesthesia services performed by a physician (anesthesiologist or other specialty). An emergency rule was published regarding this amendment in the November 20, 2009, issue of the Louisiana Register.


PHARMACY PROVIDERS

Pharmacy Providers are advised that the new Louisiana MAC (Maximum Allowable Cost) prices will be implemented January 8, 2010.