RA Messages for December 29, 2009


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
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


ATTENTION PROVIDERS OF CHILDHOOD IMMUNIZATIONS

A new vaccine for the booster dose of children aged 15 months through 4 years for the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) immunization series is available from the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program. The American Medical Association (AMA) has released guidelines for the use of the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) procedure code 90648 for reporting the use of this Hib booster vaccine for the booster (final) dose of the Hib immunization series (see CPT Assistant September 2009). Louisiana Medicaid follows this guidance from the AMA and providers of childhood vaccines should use CPT code 90648 for reporting this vaccine. If nationally approved changes occur to CPT codes at a future date, providers are to follow the most accurate coding available for covered services, unless otherwise directed.

Louisiana Medicaid will reimburse providers for the administration only of the vaccine as the vaccine is available from the Louisiana VFC program at no charge to VFC enrolled providers. Providers should contact the Unisys Provider Relations unit at (800) 473-2783 or (225) 924-5040 with billing policy questions. Questions related to this vaccine including its availability should be directed to the Louisiana Office of Public Health-Immunization Program at (504) 838-5300.


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 MULTI-SYSTEMIC THERAPY (MST) PROVIDERS

Providers may now view the current MST Provider Manual on the Medicaid website, www.lamedicaid.com.


ATTENTION DENTAL PROVIDERS

The LAMedicaid website now has a "Dental Providers" link on the left of the homepage. This link provides information about the Medicaid Dental programs and services available to Medicaid dental providers. The website can be accessed at www.lamedicaid.com. Questions about the LAMedicaid website may be directed to Unisys Provider Relations at (800) 473-2783 or (225) 924-5040.


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.