Provider Focus - May 2009 - Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
Provider Focus - May 2009 - Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
Provider Focus - May 2009 - Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
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<strong>May</strong> <strong>2009</strong><br />
<strong>Provider</strong>focus<br />
Published Monthly for Physicians, Health Care <strong>Provider</strong>s, and Their Office Staff<br />
Technology Plays a Vital Role in Improving the Quality <strong>of</strong> Health Care<br />
During her confirmation hearing,<br />
Secretary <strong>of</strong> Health and Human<br />
Services Kathleen Sebelius said<br />
health information technology “lays<br />
the foundation for a 21st-century<br />
system to reduce medical errors,<br />
lower health care costs, and empower<br />
health consumers.”<br />
<strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Cross</strong> <strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Shield</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Massachusetts</strong> (BCBSMA) has long<br />
supported e-health initiatives in<br />
<strong>Massachusetts</strong>, through our involvement<br />
with the <strong>Massachusetts</strong><br />
eHealth Collaborative and the eRx<br />
Collaborative. That’s because we<br />
believe the most promising way to<br />
control health care costs is by<br />
improving the quality <strong>of</strong> care, and<br />
that technology plays a crucial role<br />
in achieving this goal.<br />
As part <strong>of</strong> BCBSMA’s goal <strong>of</strong> increasing<br />
the safety, quality and affordability<br />
<strong>of</strong> patient care in <strong>Massachusetts</strong>,<br />
in 2008 we announced that we<br />
would require providers to prescribe<br />
medications electronically to qualify<br />
for any <strong>of</strong> our physician incentive<br />
programs starting in January 1, 2011.<br />
A recent study, Adoption <strong>of</strong><br />
Electronic Health Record<br />
2<br />
4<br />
5<br />
7<br />
In This Issue<br />
Reminder for PCPs on<br />
Panel Status and After-<br />
Hours Reimbursement<br />
Recredentialing Tips for<br />
Behavioral Health<br />
<strong>Provider</strong>s<br />
Functional Rating Index<br />
Tool Online for<br />
Chiropractic Practices<br />
Medical Policy Update<br />
Capabilities in <strong>Massachusetts</strong><br />
Physician Practices* examines<br />
physicians’ use <strong>of</strong> basic and<br />
advanced electronic health record<br />
(EHR) capabilities.<br />
Of the 519 physicians surveyed<br />
(roughly 3% <strong>of</strong> <strong>Massachusetts</strong> physicians):<br />
36% said they use all “basic”<br />
EHR capabilities, such as electronic<br />
medication and problem<br />
lists, and functionality to order<br />
prescriptions electronically.<br />
5% claimed adoption <strong>of</strong> all<br />
“advanced” EHR capabilities,<br />
including disease management<br />
and health maintenance functionality.<br />
Nearly 75% said they order prescriptions<br />
electronically for at<br />
least some <strong>of</strong> their patients.<br />
66% regularly transmit prescriptions<br />
electronically to pharmacies<br />
via fax or computer.<br />
“The research clearly shows the<br />
progress that has been made in the<br />
state to increase adoption <strong>of</strong> clinical<br />
information technology,” said Greg<br />
In Brief<br />
LeGrow, BCBSMA’s Director <strong>of</strong> e-<br />
Health Innovation. “We still have a<br />
way to go, but the results are<br />
encouraging and demonstrate the<br />
impact aligned efforts can have to<br />
further the use <strong>of</strong> technology that<br />
improves the quality and affordability<br />
<strong>of</strong> care delivered.”<br />
Joining the Technology Movement<br />
To assist prescribers who have not<br />
adopted this technology, BCBSMA<br />
is sponsoring new e-prescribing<br />
licenses on a first-come, first-served<br />
basis in <strong>2009</strong> to selected prescribers<br />
who have not received prior sponsorship<br />
from the eRx Collaborative or<br />
BCBSMA.<br />
In addition, the Centers for<br />
Medicare & Medicaid Services is<br />
<strong>of</strong>fering incentive payments this<br />
continued on page 3<br />
New Google Health Online Training Available<br />
As we’ve reported in <strong>Provider</strong> <strong>Focus</strong>,<br />
BCBSMA members can now safely<br />
import their health history and other<br />
health data into a secure online<br />
Google Health personal health<br />
record free <strong>of</strong> charge.<br />
Learn how Google Health can help<br />
members organize their health<br />
history and share it with providers<br />
by completing our new online<br />
training course.<br />
Signing Up for Training Is Easy!<br />
To register, log on to our website at<br />
www.bluecrossma.com/provider<br />
and select Resource Center><br />
Training & Registration>Course<br />
List, then select About Google<br />
Health.
Physician News<br />
Attention PCP Offices: Reminders on Panel Status, After-Hours Reimbursement<br />
BCBSMA values the services that primary care physicians<br />
(PCPs) provide in managing our members’ total<br />
care. During this time when PCPs are in high demand,<br />
we would like to remind you <strong>of</strong> our guidelines for PCP<br />
<strong>of</strong>fice practice.<br />
Panel Designations<br />
If you have an open panel, we expect it to be open for<br />
all BCBSMA members. We appreciate when PCPs are<br />
able to maintain an open panel status for new patients to<br />
help ensure that our members have access to the care<br />
that they need. Please also note that 90-day written<br />
notice is contractually required when closing your panel<br />
to new members.<br />
If you have closed your panel to new members, but it is<br />
open to existing members:<br />
You will not be listed on the Find a Doctor section<br />
<strong>of</strong> our website as a participating PCP for members<br />
to choose.<br />
Your existing patients, who may change from one<br />
health plan to a BCBSMA managed care product,<br />
may continue to have you listed as their PCP.<br />
Our expectation is that your panel is closed with all<br />
health plans, not just with BCBSMA.<br />
If you have closed your panel to both new members and<br />
existing members:<br />
You will not be listed on the Find a Doctor section<br />
<strong>of</strong> our website as a participating PCP for members<br />
to choose.<br />
Our expectation is that your panel is closed with all<br />
health plans, not just with BCBSMA.<br />
Your existing patients, who may change from one<br />
health plan to a BCBSMA managed care product,<br />
will not be able to continue with you as the PCP, as<br />
your panels are closed for both new and existing<br />
members.<br />
No managed care members will be added to your<br />
panel and members requesting to be added to your<br />
panel will be advised to select another PCP with an<br />
open panel.<br />
If you have questions about your current panel status,<br />
please log on to www.bluecrossma.com/provider and<br />
click Manage Your Business>Find a Doctor or call<br />
our <strong>Provider</strong> Enrollment area at 1-800-419-4419.<br />
Reimbursement for Sundays, Major Holidays<br />
We will continue to reimburse participating physicians<br />
for CPT ®´´ code 99050 (Services requested after posted<br />
<strong>of</strong>fice hours in addition to basic service). Major holidays,<br />
for which this code would apply, include only the following<br />
six holidays:<br />
New Year’s Day<br />
Memorial Day<br />
Independence Day (July 4th)<br />
Labor Day<br />
Thanksgiving Day<br />
Christmas Day.<br />
InterQual ®´´ Behavioral Health and Medical/Surgical Level <strong>of</strong> Care Criteria Now Available Online<br />
Our Medical Review Resources page now gives you Determine prior to rendering services whether<br />
access to the InterQual ®´´ Behavioral Health and<br />
the services meet the InterQual ®´´ criteria.<br />
Medical/Surgical Level <strong>of</strong> Care Criteria. The new<br />
page enables providers to use a set <strong>of</strong> drop-down To access the Level <strong>of</strong> Care Criteria, log on to<br />
menus to access the InterQual ®´´ Level <strong>of</strong> Care Criteria www.bluecrossma.com/provider and select<br />
for your patient—our members.<br />
Manage Your Business>Medical Review<br />
Resources>InterQual ®´´ Behavioral Health and<br />
Medical-Surgical Level <strong>of</strong> Care Criteria. To<br />
As a reminder, BCBSMA uses InterQual ®´´ criteria to<br />
make medical necessity determinations. Referring to<br />
the criteria may help you:<br />
Understand how BCBSMA made a medical<br />
necessity determination for a service that has<br />
been rendered, or<br />
submit an InterQual ®´´ SmartSheet TM for a procedure<br />
that requires prior authorization, select McKesson<br />
InterQual ®´´ SmartSheets from the Medical<br />
Review Resources page.<br />
2<br />
<strong>Provider</strong>focus • <strong>May</strong> <strong>2009</strong>
Member Education<br />
BCBSMA Offers Wellness Tools to Empower Our Members<br />
To help our members make the<br />
connection between lifestyle habits<br />
and their long-term health, we<br />
<strong>of</strong>fer a suite <strong>of</strong> wellness programs<br />
that empower them to make<br />
informed, healthy choices.<br />
We recently enhanced our wellness<br />
website to provide an integrated<br />
set <strong>of</strong> services designed to help<br />
make behavior changes and<br />
improve members’ overall health.<br />
At www.mybluehealth.com,<br />
members can find our wellness<br />
solution, which includes:<br />
Health assessments<br />
Lifestyle management tools<br />
Online coaching tools<br />
Personalized diet and exercise<br />
plans<br />
A library <strong>of</strong> health and wellness<br />
articles, tips and recipes<br />
Online communities<br />
Access to discounted networks<br />
<strong>of</strong> complementary and alternative<br />
health providers.<br />
Technology Plays a Vital Role in Improving the Quality <strong>of</strong> Health Care<br />
continued on page 3<br />
year to early adopters <strong>of</strong> e-prescribing<br />
technology; providers who<br />
delay use <strong>of</strong> e-prescribing technology<br />
will be penalized for noncompliance.<br />
The incentives are intended<br />
to <strong>of</strong>fset the costs <strong>of</strong> implementing<br />
the new technology—<br />
about $3,000 to adopt, and monthly<br />
costs <strong>of</strong> $80 to $400 to maintain.<br />
The American Recovery and<br />
Reinvestment Act signed by<br />
President Barack Obama includes<br />
$19 billion to jump-start health<br />
care IT efforts over the next several<br />
years. The funding is another<br />
step the government is taking to<br />
support health care providers in<br />
adopting technology.<br />
For information on:<br />
CMS’ e-prescribing incentive<br />
program<br />
<strong>Massachusetts</strong> Health Data<br />
Consortium<br />
eRx Collaborative<br />
MassPro<br />
BCBSMA’s <strong>2009</strong> e-prescribing<br />
program<br />
Go to:<br />
Guidance and education about<br />
how to implement e-prescribing<br />
technology or EHRs, is <strong>of</strong>fered by<br />
MassPro, a federally designated<br />
health care Quality Improvement<br />
Organization, and the CMS<br />
Doctor’s Office Quality-<br />
Information Technology (DOQ-<br />
IT) initiative, which provides consulting<br />
services to physician<br />
groups in the state to expedite the<br />
adoption <strong>of</strong> electronic health<br />
records. Masspro has successfully<br />
enrolled more than 1,500 physicians<br />
from more than 450 practices<br />
in the CMS DOQ-IT initiative.<br />
* The survey was conducted in the summer <strong>of</strong><br />
2008 by CSC and sponsored by BCBSMA. Go to<br />
www.csc.com/ physician_study_09 for more<br />
details.<br />
www.cms.hhs.gov/erxincentive<br />
www.mahealthdata.org<br />
www.erxcollaborative.org<br />
www.masspro.org<br />
www.bluecrossma.com/provider; log<br />
on and click Resource Center>Admin<br />
Guidelines & Info>Fact Sheets<br />
3<br />
<strong>Provider</strong>focus • <strong>May</strong> <strong>2009</strong><br />
eRx Collaborative: A Conduit<br />
for Technology Adoption<br />
The eRx Collaborative has been<br />
working since 2003 to improve<br />
patient safety and increase health<br />
care affordability by underwriting<br />
the cost and promoting the adoption<br />
and utilization <strong>of</strong> e-prescribing<br />
technology in <strong>Massachusetts</strong>.<br />
The Collaborative has provided<br />
funding for more than 5,600 prescribers;<br />
those prescribers have<br />
sent 17.8 million e-prescriptions<br />
since the start <strong>of</strong> the program.<br />
In 2008 alone:<br />
The Collaborative deployed<br />
350 new prescribers during<br />
the year, surpassing the year’s<br />
goal <strong>of</strong> 200 new prescribers.<br />
Collaborative prescribers sent<br />
4 million e-prescriptions<br />
Approximately 82,600 e-prescriptions<br />
were changed due<br />
to drug safety alerts (2% <strong>of</strong><br />
the e-prescriptions written).<br />
Though no longer sponsoring<br />
renewals or new licenses in <strong>2009</strong>,<br />
the Collaborative will refocus its<br />
efforts to promote e-prescribing in<br />
<strong>Massachusetts</strong> through education<br />
and engagement <strong>of</strong> physicians,<br />
vendors, and consumers.
Behavioral Health Highlights<br />
Recredentialing Tips for Behavioral Health <strong>Provider</strong>s<br />
Q. How <strong>of</strong>ten does BCBSMA<br />
recredential providers<br />
A. BCBSMA recredentials pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />
providers every two years<br />
based on the provider’s birth date.<br />
For example: If you are scheduled<br />
to be recredentialed this year and<br />
your date <strong>of</strong> birth is June 12, 1969,<br />
your recredentialing application is<br />
due June 1, <strong>2009</strong>.<br />
Q. How will I be notified about<br />
recredentialing<br />
A. You will receive an automatic<br />
reminder via fax, mail, or e-mail to<br />
your address that’s on file with the<br />
Council for Affordable Quality<br />
Healthcare (CAQH). You will be<br />
asked to review, update, and attest<br />
to the accuracy <strong>of</strong> your data. To<br />
streamline the recredentialing<br />
process for all behavioral health<br />
providers, BCBSMA no longer<br />
requires two reference letters,<br />
except for MDs who do not have<br />
hospital privileges.<br />
Q.What documentation is required<br />
A. In addition to those listed on the<br />
recredentialing application, psychiatric<br />
nurse practitioners must<br />
attach a copy <strong>of</strong> his/her accreditation<br />
certificate from either the<br />
American Nurses Credentialing<br />
Center or the American Academy<br />
<strong>of</strong> Nurse Practitioners.<br />
Q.What happens if I don’t review<br />
and update my information<br />
A. If you do not respond to<br />
CAQH’s information request, your<br />
contract with BCBSMA will be terminated.<br />
If we do not receive your<br />
information within 30 days <strong>of</strong> contract<br />
termination, you will be<br />
required to go through full initial<br />
credentialing, which would require<br />
the completion <strong>of</strong> a new contracting<br />
application and the submission<br />
<strong>of</strong> two letters <strong>of</strong> reference.<br />
Q. If I am not due for recredentialing,<br />
but my address or other information<br />
changes, how do I update the<br />
information on file with CAQH<br />
A. You can change your provider<br />
information on file with CAQH at<br />
any time. Because all recredentialing<br />
notifications are sent to the<br />
address CAQH and BCBSMA have<br />
on file, it is important to notify<br />
both CAQH and BCBSMA <strong>of</strong> any<br />
changes to your information.<br />
Please Note: We recommend that<br />
you re-attest every 120 days to<br />
verify that your information is<br />
up-to-date. To do this, simply go to<br />
https://upd.caqh.org/oas or<br />
call the CAQH help desk at<br />
1-888-599-1771. The help desk<br />
can also assist you with login<br />
information.<br />
If you have any questions about<br />
recredentialing application packages,<br />
please call <strong>Provider</strong> Enrollment and<br />
Credentialing at 1-800-419-4419.<br />
State Mental Health Parity Law Goes Into Effect July 1, <strong>2009</strong><br />
The State Mental Health Parity<br />
Mandate will be implemented<br />
effective July 1, <strong>2009</strong>, and will<br />
apply to all fully insured accounts<br />
and administrative service contract<br />
accounts with contracts that currently<br />
cover benefits at the biological<br />
level for:<br />
Affective disorders<br />
Bipolar disorder<br />
Delirium and dementia<br />
Major depressive disorder<br />
Obsessive-compulsive disorder<br />
Panic disorder<br />
Paranoia and other psychotic<br />
disorders<br />
Schizoaffective disorder<br />
Schizophrenia<br />
Effective July 1, <strong>2009</strong>, the following<br />
four disorders will be reclassified<br />
as biologically-based, and will<br />
be covered as biologically-based, in<br />
addition to the nine conditions listed<br />
to the left:<br />
Autism<br />
Eating disorders<br />
Post-traumatic stress disorder<br />
(PTSD)<br />
Substance abuse.<br />
This change means that all <strong>of</strong> these<br />
disorders will be treated the same<br />
as medical and surgical benefits<br />
and will not have visit maximums<br />
or capitation on dollar amounts if<br />
no such limits apply to similar<br />
4<br />
<strong>Provider</strong>focus • <strong>May</strong> <strong>2009</strong><br />
treatments for medical and surgical<br />
conditions.<br />
As always, we urge you to use one<br />
<strong>of</strong> our provider technologies to<br />
check eligibility and benefits<br />
before delivering services.<br />
Upcoming Federal Mental Health<br />
Parity Changes<br />
These state-level changes come in<br />
advance <strong>of</strong> an important change<br />
regarding behavioral health coverage<br />
that will be addressed in the<br />
new federal Mental Health Parity<br />
Act, which will go into effect in<br />
October <strong>2009</strong>. We’ll provide more<br />
details about the federal change in<br />
a future issue <strong>of</strong> <strong>Provider</strong> <strong>Focus</strong>.
Behavioral Health Highlights<br />
Update on Neuropsychological Testing Authorization<br />
Requirements<br />
Our January 1, <strong>2009</strong> F.Y.I. regarding<br />
changes to neuropsychological testing<br />
authorization requirements noted<br />
that the requirement would become<br />
effective for members <strong>of</strong> our POS<br />
product for both in-network and out<strong>of</strong>-network<br />
care starting on <strong>May</strong> 1,<br />
<strong>2009</strong>. As clarification, the requirement<br />
will not apply to POS members<br />
who seek out-<strong>of</strong>-network care.<br />
Also, BCBSMA has decided to modify<br />
the approval range to a minimum<br />
<strong>of</strong> eight units, rather than the previously<br />
announced minimum <strong>of</strong> six<br />
units. Depending on the complexity<br />
<strong>of</strong> the required testing, prior authorization<br />
requests will be approved<br />
within the following ranges based on<br />
medial necessity:<br />
8-12 hours for children<br />
8-12 hours for adolescents, rather<br />
Ancillary News<br />
than the previously announced<br />
range <strong>of</strong> 6-10 units<br />
8-10 hours for adults.<br />
To access our F.Y.I. and resources<br />
related to this requirement, log on to<br />
www.bluecrossma.com/<br />
provider and click on the<br />
Neuropsychological Testing window<br />
on the right side <strong>of</strong> the home page.<br />
Prior authorization is not required for<br />
neuropsychological testing associated<br />
with acute inpatient medical or inpatient<br />
behavioral health care. Testing<br />
at all other levels <strong>of</strong> care does<br />
require prior authorization.<br />
If you have questions, please e-mail<br />
your <strong>Provider</strong> Relations Manager at<br />
behavioralhealth@bcbsma.com or<br />
call 1-800-316-BLUE (2583),<br />
Option 3.<br />
Chiropractic Services Authorization Program Training<br />
Join representatives from BCBSMA<br />
and our vendor, Healthways<br />
WholeHealth Networks, Inc.<br />
(HWHN), for an in-person seminar<br />
or online webinar about the chiropractic<br />
services authorization program.<br />
We will <strong>of</strong>fer three training<br />
sessions, in which you will learn:<br />
How the program has been<br />
updated in <strong>2009</strong><br />
How to use HWHN’s telephonic<br />
and web-based tools to submit<br />
authorization requests<br />
How to check member eligibility<br />
and benefits<br />
About the criteria HWHN uses<br />
to make authorization decisions.<br />
To register, log on to<br />
www.bluecrossma.com/provider<br />
and select Resource Center><br />
Training & Registration><br />
Course List>Chiropractic<br />
Authorization Program Training<br />
(under the Ancillary subheading).<br />
Location: Date: Time:<br />
BCBSMA<br />
One Enterprise Drive<br />
Quincy<br />
Webinar<br />
Wednesday, June 10, <strong>2009</strong><br />
Thursday, June 11, <strong>2009</strong><br />
Wednesday, June 10, <strong>2009</strong><br />
10:30 a.m. - noon<br />
10:30 a.m. - noon<br />
2 p.m. - 3 p.m.<br />
5<br />
<strong>Provider</strong>focus • <strong>May</strong> <strong>2009</strong><br />
Date Extended for Applying<br />
to Our Managed Care<br />
Behavioral Health Network<br />
We previously announced that<br />
our Managed Care Behavioral<br />
Health (MCBH) network would<br />
be open until <strong>May</strong> 1, <strong>2009</strong> to<br />
psychologists who indicate on<br />
the application that they are<br />
qualified to provide neuropsychological<br />
testing services to<br />
BCBSMA members and are<br />
accepting referrals. We are<br />
extending this invitation<br />
beyond <strong>May</strong> 1, <strong>2009</strong> until you<br />
receive further notice from<br />
BCBSMA. Log on to<br />
www.bluecrossma.com/<br />
provider and select News for<br />
You>FYIs for more information.<br />
Functional Rating Index (FRI)<br />
Tools Posted Online for<br />
Chiropractic Practices<br />
Our FRI tools are available as<br />
PDF files on <strong>Blue</strong>Links for<br />
<strong>Provider</strong>s. You can easily copy<br />
the files and post them on you<br />
practice’s website. Then, your<br />
patients can download and<br />
complete the questionnaire<br />
prior to the appointment. Log<br />
on to www.bluecrossma.com/<br />
provider and select the blue<br />
box marked Chiropractic<br />
Services Authorization<br />
Program on the right-side <strong>of</strong><br />
the page. The PDFs can be<br />
found in the pop-up window.<br />
The tools are available in<br />
English, Spanish, and<br />
Portuguese.
Billing Notes<br />
Individual Consideration Tips: Using a Not Otherwise Classified (NOC) Code<br />
To submit an individual consideration<br />
appeal with a NOC code,<br />
please complete our <strong>Provider</strong><br />
Appeal Form, and submit it with<br />
the required documentation and a<br />
detailed description <strong>of</strong> services<br />
performed; otherwise, you will be<br />
asked to resubmit the appeal with<br />
the required information. (The<br />
entire medical record is not<br />
required.)<br />
To download the Appeal Form, log<br />
on to www.bluecrossma.com/<br />
provider and click on Resource<br />
Center>Forms>Review and<br />
Appeals.<br />
Previous NOC Codes That Now<br />
Have a CPT/HCPCS Code<br />
We have been receiving appeals<br />
with NOC codes for services that<br />
now have a listed HCPCS or CPT<br />
code. To help expedite the payment<br />
process, please review the<br />
table below and update your<br />
records to reflect these codes.<br />
If you submit an appeal with a<br />
NOC code for a service that has an<br />
HCPCS or CPT code, we’ll return<br />
your appeal and request that you<br />
revise and resubmit the claim.<br />
Code:<br />
29828<br />
43273<br />
43279<br />
49652<br />
49653<br />
49654<br />
49655<br />
49656<br />
49657<br />
58541<br />
58542<br />
58543<br />
58544<br />
64650<br />
64653<br />
95992<br />
S2083<br />
S2117<br />
S2118<br />
S8037<br />
Narrative:<br />
Arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; biceps tenodesis<br />
Endoscopic cannulation <strong>of</strong> papilla with direct visualization <strong>of</strong> common bile duct(s) and/or pancreatic<br />
duct(s) add on code (List separately in addition to code(s) for primary procedure. Use 43273 in conjunction<br />
with 43260, 43261, 43263-43265, 43267-43272)<br />
Laparoscopy, surgical, esophagomyotomy (Heller type), with fundoplasty, when performed<br />
Laparoscopy, surgical, repair, ventral, umbilical, spigelian or epigastric hernia (includes mesh insertion,<br />
when performed); reducible<br />
Laparoscopy, surgical, repair, ventral, umbilical, spigelian or epigastric hernia (includes mesh insertion,<br />
when performed); incarcerated or strangulated<br />
Laparoscopy, surgical, repair, incisional hernia (includes mesh insertion, when performed); reducible<br />
Laparoscopy, surgical, repair, incisional hernia (includes mesh insertion, when performed); incarcerated or<br />
strangulated<br />
Laparoscopy, surgical, repair, recurrent incisional hernia (includes mesh insertion, when performed);<br />
reducible<br />
Laparoscopy, surgical, repair, recurrent incisional hernia (includes mesh insertion, when performed);<br />
incarcerated or strangulated<br />
Laparoscopy, surgical, supracervical hysterectomy, for uterus 250 g or less<br />
Laparoscopy, surgical, supracervical hysterectomy, for uterus 250 g or less; with removal <strong>of</strong> tube(s) and/or<br />
ovary(s)<br />
Laparoscopy, surgical, supracervical hysterectomy, for uterus greater than 250 g<br />
Laparoscopy, surgical, supracervical hysterectomy, for uterus greater than 250 g; with removal <strong>of</strong> tube(s)<br />
and/or ovary(s)<br />
Chemodenervation <strong>of</strong> eccrine glands; both axillae<br />
Chemodenervation <strong>of</strong> eccrine glands; other area(s) (e.g., scalp, face, neck), per day<br />
Canalith repositioning procedure(s) (e.g., Epley maneuver, Semont maneuver), per day<br />
Adjustment <strong>of</strong> gastric band diameter via subcutaneous port by injection or aspiration <strong>of</strong> saline<br />
Arthroereisis, subtalar<br />
Metal-on-metal total hip resurfacing, including acetabular and femoral components<br />
Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography<br />
6<br />
<strong>Provider</strong>focus • <strong>May</strong> <strong>2009</strong>
Medical Policy Update<br />
Access the latest updates to medical<br />
policies and other documents via:<br />
www.bluecrossma.com/<br />
provider; click Medical Policies.<br />
Fax-on-Demand at 1-888-633-7654<br />
Changes<br />
Autologous Chondrocyte<br />
Implantation, 374. Adding coverage <strong>of</strong><br />
autologous chondrocyte implantation<br />
for identified medically necessary<br />
indications and criteria to align with<br />
<strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Cross</strong> <strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Shield</strong> Association<br />
national policy. Effective 8/1/09.<br />
Osteochondral Allograft and Autograft<br />
Transplantation, 111. New medical<br />
policy, aligning coverage and noncoverage<br />
<strong>of</strong> osteochondral allograft<br />
and autograft transplantation with<br />
BCBSA national policy. Effective<br />
8/1/09.<br />
Spinal,Vagal, Deep Brain, Cerebellar<br />
Stimulation, 083. Managed care<br />
guidelines: Authorizations are<br />
required for outpatient services with<br />
the exception <strong>of</strong> spinal cord stimulator<br />
trials. Effective 8/09.<br />
TENS, PENS/PNT, and NMES, 003:<br />
Managed Care guidelines:<br />
Referrals are not required for<br />
Medicare HMO <strong>Blue</strong> ® members,<br />
however, the device must be<br />
medically necessary, prescribed<br />
by a plan physician, and provided<br />
by a network provider. For all<br />
other Managed Care plans, any<br />
specialist visit requires a referral,<br />
except for visits performed by<br />
OB/GYN specialists. Authorizations<br />
are not required. Authorizations<br />
are required for outpatient<br />
services.<br />
Indemnity and PPO<br />
guidelines: Authorizations are<br />
required for most outpatient services<br />
as determined by the individual’s<br />
subscriber certificate.<br />
Effective 8/09.<br />
Clarifications<br />
Maze Surgery, 356. Clarifying coverage<br />
<strong>of</strong> CPT code 33257, operative<br />
tissue ablation and reconstruction <strong>of</strong><br />
atria, performed at the time <strong>of</strong> other<br />
cardiac procedure(s), limited (e.g.,<br />
modified maze procedure). Effective<br />
3/09.<br />
Medical Technology Assessment Noncovered<br />
Services, 400.<br />
Clarifying coverage for CPT ®´´<br />
code 33257, effective 3/09.<br />
Clarifying the non-coverage for<br />
SonoCine ®´´, Adjunctive Breast<br />
Ultrasound System model 100.<br />
Multiple Sleep Latency Testing (MSLT)<br />
and Maintenance <strong>of</strong> Wakefulness<br />
Testing (MWT), 102. Implementation<br />
<strong>of</strong> a new medical policy (previously<br />
announced in March <strong>2009</strong> <strong>Provider</strong><br />
<strong>Focus</strong>) has been postponed. Please<br />
continue to use medical policy 293,<br />
Sleep Disorders, for coverage and noncoverage<br />
<strong>of</strong> multiple sleep latency<br />
testing. Also, please see medical policy<br />
400, Medical Technology Assessment<br />
Guidelines Non-Covered Service, which<br />
clarifies non-coverage for maintenance<br />
<strong>of</strong> wakefulness testing.<br />
Effective 6/1/09.<br />
Osteochondral Allograft and Autograft<br />
Transplantation, 374. Removing coverage<br />
information on osteochondral<br />
allograft and autograft transplantation<br />
with notation to see new medical<br />
policy (Osteochondral Allograft and<br />
Autograft Transplantation, 111).<br />
Effective 8/09.<br />
Polysomnography, 094.<br />
Implementation <strong>of</strong> a new medical<br />
policy has been postponed. Please<br />
continue to use Sleep Disorders (medical<br />
policy 293) for coverage and<br />
non-coverage guidelines for<br />
polysomnography and sleep studies.<br />
Tumor Markers, 167. Clarifying covered<br />
indications for BTA stat ®´´ or<br />
NMP-22 to include new 2008 ICD-<br />
9-CM diagnosis codes 599.70 (hematuria,<br />
unspecified) and 599.72<br />
(microscopic hematuria). Reminder:<br />
Coverage is based on the criteria<br />
defined in the medical policy.<br />
Correction<br />
The Medical Policy Update<br />
page in the February <strong>2009</strong> issue<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Provider</strong> <strong>Focus</strong> incorrectly<br />
listed the medical policy<br />
number for Iontophoresis as 094.<br />
The correct number is 095. To<br />
view this medical policy, go to<br />
www.bluecrossma.com/<br />
provider and click on Medical<br />
Policies.<br />
Check Out Our Improved Medical Policy Page on <strong>Blue</strong>Links for <strong>Provider</strong>s<br />
We’re always looking for ways to<br />
improve our website to make it<br />
work better for you. One request<br />
we’ve heard from providers is an<br />
easier way to search for medical<br />
policy information.<br />
To help you find the information<br />
you need quickly, we’ve added a<br />
search tool to the Medical Policy<br />
page on our website. Go to<br />
www.bluecrossma.com/<br />
provider and click on Medical<br />
7<br />
<strong>Provider</strong>focus • <strong>May</strong> <strong>2009</strong><br />
Policies. Then, simply type a subject,<br />
condition, treatment, or document<br />
number into the Quick<br />
Search box on the right side <strong>of</strong> the<br />
page to obtain a listing <strong>of</strong> related<br />
medical policies.
<strong>Provider</strong>focus<br />
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Important Update<br />
Addresses for <strong>Provider</strong> Appeals Have Been Consolidated<br />
To help reduce administrative<br />
expenses, BCBSMA will be consolidating<br />
our <strong>Provider</strong> Appeals<br />
addresses into one address for all<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essional and ancillary providers<br />
(including oral surgeons and behavioral<br />
health providers), and for all<br />
facilities.<br />
Effective July 1, <strong>2009</strong>, all appeals<br />
should be sent to:<br />
<strong>Provider</strong> Appeals<br />
BCBSMA<br />
P.O. Box 986065<br />
Boston, MA 02298<br />
P.O. boxes 986070 and 986075<br />
will expire June 30, <strong>2009</strong>. To<br />
prevent any delays in processing<br />
your claims, please begin using the<br />
new addresses immediately. If you<br />
use s<strong>of</strong>tware to print claim forms or<br />
any other communications that<br />
contain a BCBSMA address, please<br />
make the necessary changes to<br />
your system.<br />
We will update our <strong>Blue</strong> Book manual,<br />
forms, and other provider documents<br />
to reflect this change.<br />
If you have any questions, please<br />
contact your <strong>Provider</strong> Relations<br />
Manager at 1-800-316-BLUE<br />
(2583).<br />
<strong>Provider</strong>focus is published monthly for<br />
BCBSMA physicians, health care providers, and<br />
their <strong>of</strong>fice staff. Please submit letters and suggestions<br />
for future articles to:<br />
Editor, <strong>Provider</strong> <strong>Focus</strong><br />
<strong>Provider</strong> Education and Communications<br />
<strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Cross</strong> <strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Shield</strong> <strong>of</strong> MA<br />
Landmark Center, MS 01/08<br />
401 Park Drive<br />
Boston, MA 02215-3326<br />
—or—<br />
E-mail: focus@bcbsma.com<br />
● Cleve L. Killingsworth, Chairman and<br />
Chief Executive Officer<br />
● Andrew Dreyfus, Executive Vice President,<br />
Health Care Services<br />
● John A. Fallon, M.D., Chief Physician<br />
Executive and Senior Vice President<br />
● Steven J. Fox, Vice President, <strong>Provider</strong><br />
Network Management<br />
● Teresa Perrier, Editor<br />
●Patricia Gaudino, Managing Editor<br />
● Stephanie Botvin, Contributing Writer<br />
● Jennifer Harding, Contributing Writer<br />
● Barbara Chester, Production Manager<br />
● Patricia Moriarty, Graphic Designer<br />
BCBSMA refers to <strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Cross</strong> <strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Shield</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Massachusetts</strong> and <strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Cross</strong> <strong>Blue</strong><br />
<strong>Shield</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Massachusetts</strong> HMO <strong>Blue</strong> ® , Inc., based on Product participation. © <strong>2009</strong><br />
<strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Cross</strong> and <strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Shield</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Massachusetts</strong>, Inc. and <strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Cross</strong> and <strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Shield</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Massachusetts</strong> HMO <strong>Blue</strong> ® , Inc. ® Registered marks <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Cross</strong> and <strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Shield</strong><br />
Association. ®´ and SM Registered marks <strong>of</strong> <strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Cross</strong> <strong>Blue</strong> <strong>Shield</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Massachusetts</strong>.<br />
®´´ and TM Registered marks <strong>of</strong> their respective companies. PEP-1914V(5/09)