RA Messages for April 13, 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 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


ATTENTION PHARMACISTS AND PRESCRIBING PROVIDER

In correspondence sent in September 2009, we notified providers that pharmacy claims billed for recipients for palivizumab (Synagis) outside the RSV season would deny. To override the claim, pharmacists will be required to submit paper claims to Pharmacy Benefits Management, P.O Box 91030, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-9030. For documentation pharmacists will need a prescription handwritten in the prescriber's handwriting on the prescription. Providers may call 225-342-9768 with questions.


ATTENTION PROVIDERS: CLAIMCHECK UPDATE

There is an additional provider notice dated March 19, 2010, regarding the implementation of 'ClaimCheck' posted to the Medicaid website. Providers are directed to information and updates regarding 'ClaimCheck' via the specific 'ClaimCheck' link at www.lamedicaid.com. Providers should visit this link frequently for the most current information on the upcoming 'ClaimCheck' claims editing implementation.


ATTENTION HOSPITAL PROVIDERS

Effective with dates of service on or after January 01, 2010, the reimbursement rates for some laboratory and radiology services for Outpatient Hospital providers are reduced. The codes being reduced are the result of having a rate on the Medicaid file that was in excess of the 2010 Medicare rate. Providers began seeing these reductions on the RA of February 23, 2010. Claims that were adjudicated prior to February 23, 2010, have been systematically adjusted on this RA (4/6/10) and no action is required by providers.

Any questions should be directed to Provider Relations.


ATTENTION: CERTIFIED NURSE MIDWIVES AND OB PROVIDERS
BILLING INFORMATION UPDATE: FIRST ASSISTANT AT SURGERY

Effective with date of service May 1, 2010, Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM) who perform as the 'first assistant surgery' are to use the "AS" modifier to identify these services. This billing update for Certified Nurse Midwives is to provide consistency in billing for non-physician providers who perform as the first assistant in surgery. There is no change in reimbursement methodology for CNM's. Questions concerning this update may be directed to Unisys Provider Relations at (800) 473-2783 or (225) 924-5040.


ATTENTION ALL PROVIDERS

According to the latest CMS regulations for complying with 5010 electronic transaction standards, entities must be ready to begin testing in early 2011. All electronic transactions must be conducted using 5010 and NCPDP D.0 versions beginning January 01, 2012. Providers should check with their clearinghouse, submitter or software vendor to determine the status of their preparations for the 5010 standards. The implementation will most likely require changes to the software and/or systems that you use for billing payers, so it is important that you plan for these changes. Unisys and DHH are working on preparations to be able to meet the date for beginning 5010 testing. Also, we will periodically share resources and post updates regarding our progress to the lamedicaid.com website under the link titled HIPAA Information Center.


TAKE CHARGE FAMILY PLANNING WAIVER - REIMBURSEMENT RATE
CUT FOR ALL FPW SERVICES

Due to budgetary shortfalls, DHH has implemented a 5% reimbursement rate cut for ALL FPW services. This rate cut has been implemented with an effective date of 1/22/2010.