RA Messages for April 20, 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: 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.


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.


ATTENTION: IMMUNIZATION PAY-FOR-PERFORMANCE ENROLLED PROVIDERS

The Department of Health and Hospitals has determined that to avoid a budget deficit, a change in the Immunization Pay-For-Performance Initiative (P4P) is necessary. Effective with P4P payments for April 2010 and thereafter, the initial benchmark measurement to receive a payment will be that 60% to 74% of the recipients linked to the participating CommunityCARE PCP must be up to date by age 24 months to be eligible to receive an incentive payment. No changes are being made to the second or third level benchmark or payments. Detailed information on the P4P incentive payment initiative can be found on the www.lamedicaid.com website, following the link for Pay-For-Performance. For details regarding the Emergency Rule associated with this change, please go to the Emergency Rule section of the Louisiana Register at the Office of the State Register's website (http://doa.louisiana.gov/osr/). Contact Unisys Provider Relations at (800) 473-2783 or (225) 924-5040 with any questions.


ATTENTION OUTPATIENT HOSPITALS AND FREE-STANDING ESRD FACILITIES
H1N1 INFLUENZA ADMINISTRATION

Effective with date of service October 1, 2009, Revenue Code 771 (Vaccine Administration) is payable to outpatient hospitals and free-standing ESRD facilities, but only if billed with CPT code 90470 (H1N1 Immunization Administration). As the H1N1 vaccine is being supplied at no charge by the Office of Public Health (OPH) and to only those providers that previously registered with OPH, Medicaid will reimburse providers only for the administration of the vaccine. Detailed policy and a fee schedule specific to the H1N1 influenza vaccine administered by outpatient hospital and ESRD providers has been added to the 'H1N1 Influenza Information' link on the homepage of www.lamedicaid.com. Claims previously denied due to delay in implementation will be systematically adjusted and no action is required by providers. Providers should contact the Provider Relations unit at (800) 473-2783 or (225) 924-5040 with billing or policy questions. Questions related to the H1N1 vaccine including availability should be directed to the OPH Immunization Program at (504) 838-5300.


IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL MEDICAID HOSPICE PROVIDERS

The Department of Health and Hospitals will partner with Automated Health Systems (AHS) to administer the Medicaid Hospice Program. Effective May 1, 2010, Hospice providers are to appropriately submit all hospice related forms and prior authorization requests to:


Automated Health Systems
10101 Siegen Lane
Baton Rouge, LA 70810
Attention: Hospice Manager

Fax: (225) 757-4360


ATTENTION PROFESSIONAL SERVICES PROVIDERS: CLAIMCHECK WEBINARS

The implementation of McKesson ClaimCheck editing for professional services is anticipated to become effective with the processing date May 17, 2010. Educational webinars concerning this implementation will be held April 27-29, 2010. Providers should visit the LA Medicaid website, www.lamedicaid.com, and click on the blue 'ClaimCheck' button for further information and to register for one of the webinars. Affected providers are strongly encouraged to attend.

Questions concerning this notice may be directed to Unisys Provider Relations at (800) 473-2783 or (225) 924-5040.