October 1, 2023

October 2023 Provider Newsletter

Featured Articles

WebinarsCommercialMedicare AdvantageOctober 1, 2023

Looking to earn CME credits? Check out the CME Engagement Hub!


Administrative

AdministrativeCommercialOctober 1, 2023

National Accounts 2024 Pre-certification list

AdministrativeCommercialOctober 1, 2023

CAA: Maintain your online provider directory information

AdministrativeMedicaidSeptember 15, 2023

Notice to ancillary providers who bill medical/pharmacy charges 

Digital SolutionsMedicare AdvantageOctober 1, 2023

Personalized Match Phase 1

Digital SolutionsMedicare AdvantageOctober 1, 2023

Availity: Medicare provider-facing talking points and FAQ

Digital SolutionsCommercialMedicare AdvantageMedicaidOctober 1, 2023

Improvements to Secure Messaging through Claims Status and Payer Spaces

Education & Training

Education & TrainingCommercialOctober 1, 2023

New website for cancer caregivers

WebinarsCommercialMedicare AdvantageSeptember 22, 2023

You're invited: Thriving, not just surviving: Youth mental health in today's world

WebinarsCommercialMedicare AdvantageMedicaidSeptember 22, 2023

You're invited: Thriving, not just surviving: Youth mental health in today's world

WebinarsMedicare AdvantageJune 30, 2023

Required training - Model of Care

WebinarsCommercialMedicare AdvantageOctober 1, 2023

Looking to earn CME credits? Check out the CME Engagement Hub!

Policy Updates

Policy UpdatesMedicaidSeptember 5, 2023

Clinical Criteria updates - May 2023

Policy UpdatesMedicare AdvantageSeptember 13, 2023

Clinical Criteria updates - June 2023

Medical Policy & Clinical GuidelinesCommercialOctober 1, 2023

Transition to Carelon Medical Benefits Management, Inc. site of care guidelines

Medical Policy & Clinical GuidelinesCommercialOctober 1, 2023

Medical Policies and Clinical Guidelines updates 

Prior AuthorizationMedicaidSeptember 13, 2023

Prior authorization requirement changes effective November 1, 2023

Reimbursement PoliciesMedicare AdvantageOctober 1, 2023

Genetic Tests: Once per Lifetime 

Quality Management

Quality ManagementCommercialMedicare AdvantageMedicaidAugust 29, 2023

Pharmacotherapy Management of COPD Exacerbation HEDIS

KYBCBS-CDCRCM-038800-23-CPN38706

HEDIS® is a registered trademark of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).

AdministrativeCommercialOctober 1, 2023

National Accounts 2024 Pre-certification list

The National Accounts 2024 Pre-certification list has been published. Please note, providers should continue to verify member eligibility and benefits prior to rendering services.

MULTI-BCBS-CM-035553-23-CPN35553

ATTACHMENTS (available on web): National Accounts 2024 Pre-certification list (pdf - 0.33mb)

AdministrativeCommercialOctober 1, 2023

Enhanced outpatient facility editing for National Correct Coding Initiative: Medically Unlikely Edits (MUEs) 

Beginning with claims processed on and after November 15, 2023, we will update our claims editing process for outpatient facility claims by applying the Medicare National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) Medically Unlikely Edits. NCCI edits are Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) developed guidelines to promote national correct coding based on industry standards for current coding practices.

These edits provide an opportunity to shift certain existing back-end reviews to front-end adjudication for outpatient facility claims. While this may facilitate quicker claim adjudication, it may also cause claims to deny frequency unit limits tied to Medically Unlikely Edits (MUEs) if correct coding guidelines are not followed. For additional information, please visit CMS.gov and select the Medically Unlikely Edits page.

If you have questions about this communication or need assistance with any other item, contact your Provider Relationship Management representative.

MULTI-BCBS-CM-036615-23-CPN36574

AdministrativeCommercialOctober 1, 2023

CAA: Maintain your online provider directory information

The Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) of 2021 contains a provision that requires online provider directory information be reviewed and updated as needed at least every 90 days. Maintaining your online provider directory information is essential for members and healthcare partners to connect with you when needed. Please review your information frequently and let us know if any of your information we show in our online directory has changed.

Submit updates and corrections to your directory information by following the instructions on our Provider Maintenance web page. Online update options include:

  • Add/change an address location.
  • Name change.
  • Provider leaving a group or a single location.
  • Phone/fax number changes.
  • Closing a practice location.

Reviewing your information helps us ensure your online provider directory information is current. Through genuine collaboration, we can simplify access to care and help you deliver high-quality, equitable healthcare.

MULTI-BCBS-CM-038049-23-SRS38044

AdministrativeMedicaidSeptember 15, 2023

Notice to ancillary providers who bill medical/pharmacy charges 

Ancillary providers who bill charges such as home infusion and injections should bill with the correct NPI/taxonomy combination for the medical provider type.  

For example, if you share an NPI with provider type 54 (pharmacy) and provider type 90 (DME) and are billing medical services, you should bill with the NPI/taxonomy combination registered as provider type 90. Services billed under provider type 54 will be denied.

Note that provider type 54 is not a billable provider type for medical services unless billing procedure code 99401 for vaccine counseling.  

If you have questions about this communication, please contact your Provider Relationship Management consultant or Provider Services at 855-661-2028

KYBCBS-CD-036617-23

AdministrativeMedicaidOctober 1, 2023

Reminder: Appointment availability and after-hours access requirements

To ensure members receive care in a timely manner, PCPs, behavioral health (BH) providers, and all other specialty providers must maintain appointment availability and after-hours access standards.

PCPs:

Appointment type

Appointment standard

Emergency

Immediately

Urgent care

Within 48 hours

Non-urgent sick care

Within 10 calendar days

Routine or preventive care

Within 30 days

Note: In-office wait times for scheduled appointments should not routinely exceed 45 minutes including time in the waiting and examining rooms.

Traditional healthcare by a PCP shall be available for clinical assessment and care planning within seven calendar days of discharge from inpatient or institutional care for physical or BH disorders, or discharge from a substance use disorder treatment program.

Transitional healthcare by a home care nurse or home care registered counselor shall be available within seven calendar days of discharge from inpatient or institutional care for physical or BH disorders, or discharge from a substance use disorder treatment program.

BH providers:

Appointment type

Appointment standard

Emergency

Immediately

Non-life-threatening emergency (crisis stabilization)

Within 24 hours

Urgent care

Within 48 hours

Outpatient treatment by a BH providers, post inpatient discharge

Within seven calendar days

Routine

Within 30 days

All other specialists:

Appointment type

Appointment standard

Emergency

Immediately

Urgent care

Within 48 hours

Routine or preventive care

Within 30 days

After-hours access requirements

Providers are required to abide by the following standards to ensure access to care for our members:

  • Offer 24/7 telephone access for members. A 24-hour telephone service may be used. The service may be answered by a designee such as:
    • An on-call physician.
    • A nurse practitioner with physician back-up.
  • Be available to provide medically necessary services. A physician must offer this service.
  • Follow the referral/precertification guidelines. This is a requirement for covering physician.

 If you have questions, contact your local Provider Relationship Management representative, or call Provider Services at 855-661-2028, extension 106-108-1854.

KYBCBS-CD-027180-23

Digital SolutionsCommercialMedicare AdvantageOctober 1, 2023

Availity PDM application is now the intake channel for all demographic change requests, including roster uploads

As we communicated in July, August, and September, the Provider Data Management (PDM) application on Availity Essentials* is now the only intake application to verify and initiate care provider demographic change requests, including submitting roster uploads, for all professional and facility care providers.** Previous intake channels are now retired as of October 1, 2023. 

If preferred, providers may continue to utilize the Provider Enrollment application in Availity to submit requests to add new practitioners under existing groups.

Training is available:

  • PDM application specific trainings:
    • Learn about and attend one of our training opportunities by visiting here.
    • View the Availity PDM quick start guide here.

Note: An Availity account is required to access these training options. If not registered yet, see below for registration details.

  • Roster Automation Standard Template and Roster Automation Rules of Engagement specific training:
    • Listen to our recorded webinar here.

Choice and flexibility to select the option that works best for you

Request data updates via either of the following options:

  • Standard PDM experience
  • Submitting a spreadsheet via a roster upload

Benefits to our care providers using Availity PDM

The Availity PDM application will ensure the following:

  • Consistently updated data
  • Decreased turnaround time for updates
  • Compliance with federal and/or state mandates
  • Improved data quality through standardization
  • Increased provider directory accuracy

Want to submit a roster using Availity PDM?

Roster Automation is our new technology solution designed to streamline and automate provider data additions, changes, and terminations that are submitted using a standardized Microsoft Excel submission. Any provider, whether an individual provider/practitioner, group, or facility, can use Roster Automation:***

  1. Utilize the Roster Automation Standard Template:
    • For your convenience, there is a standard roster Excel document. Find it online here.
  2. Follow the Roster Automation Rules of Engagement:
    • A reference document, Roster Automation Rules of Engagement, is available to ensure error-free submissions, driving accurate and more timely updates through automation. Find it online here.
    • More detailed instructions on formatting and submission requirements can also be found on the first tab of the Roster Automation Standard Template (User Reference Guide). 
  3. Upload your completed roster via the Availity PDM application.

Availity PDM compatibility check for roster submissions

Availity PDM has been enhanced to incorporate a roster compatibility check. Providers can see if the roster was successfully submitted:

  • If there is an error to the roster, providers will see an error rejection message with detailed reason for the rejection.
  • Errors will need to be corrected. Then, the roster should be re-uploaded. Status will show as successfully submitted once corrected and re-submitted.
  • After successful submission of the roster, all accepted elements of the roster will be processed and only errors/rejections will fall out.
  • Any elements that fall out will require manual intervention.

How to access the Availity PDM application

Log onto Availity.com and select My Providers > Provider Data Management to begin the attestation process. If submitting a roster, find the TIN/business name for which you want to verify and update information. Before you select the TIN/business name, select the three-bar menu option on the right side of the window, and select Upload Rosters (see screen shot below) and follow the prompts.

Availity administrators will automatically be granted access to PDM. Additional staff may be given access to Provider Data Management by an administrator. To find your administrator, go to My Account Dashboard > My Account > Organization(s) > Administrator Information.

Not registered for Availity yet?

If you aren’t registered to use Availity Essentials, signing up is easy and 100% secure. There is no cost for your providers to register or to use any of our digital applications. Start by going to Availity.com and selecting New to Availity? Get Started at the top of the home screen to access the registration page. If you have more than one TIN, please ensure you have registered all TINs associated with your Availity account.

If you have questions regarding registration, reach out to Availity Client Services at 800‑AVAILITY‑282‑4548.

** Exclusions:

  • Behavioral health providers assigned to Carelon Behavioral Health, Inc.* will continue to follow the process for demographic requests and/or roster submissions, as outlined by Carelon Behavioral Health.
  • Any specific state mandates or requirements for provider demographic updates.

*** If any roster data updates require credentialing, your submission will be routed appropriately for further action.

Note: The following requested adds, changes, or terminations will be routed to the Provider Contracting team for validation and impact to provider contracts and network adequacy:

  • Change tax ID
  • Change organization name
  • Add a network to agreement
  • Change provider specialty
  • Terminate entire agreement

* Availity, LLC is an independent company providing administrative support services on behalf of the health plan. Carelon Behavioral Health, Inc. is an independent company providing utilization management services on behalf of the health plan.

KYBCBS-CRCM-035685-23-CPN35500

Digital SolutionsMedicare AdvantageOctober 1, 2023

Personalized Match Phase 1

Find Care, the doctor finder and transparency tool in the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Anthem) online directory, provides Anthem members with the ability to search for in-network providers using the secure member website. This tool currently offers multiple sorting options, such as sorting providers based on distance, alphabetical order, and provider name.

Beginning in the second quarter of 2024 or later, an additional sorting option will be available for our Medicare Advantage members to search by provider performance called Personalized Match Phase 1. This sorting option is based on provider efficiency and quality outcomes, alongside member search radius. Providers with the highest overall ranking within the member’s search radius will be displayed first. Members will continue to have the ability to sort based on distance, alphabetical order, and provider name:

  • You may review a copy of the Personalized Match Phase 1 methodology that has been posted on Availity* – our secure Web-based provider tool – using the following navigation:   Go to Availity > Payer Spaces > Health Plan > Education & Reference Center > Administrative Support > Personalized Match Phase 1 Methodology.pdf.
  • If you have general questions regarding this new sorting option, please submit an inquiry via the web at Availity.
  • If you would like information about your quality or efficiency scoring used as part of this sorting option or if you would like to request reconsideration of those scores, you may do so by submitting an inquiry to Availity.

Anthem has expanded the scope of Personalized Match Phase 1 to include selected specialty providers and will continue to focus and expand our consumer tools and content to assist members in making more informed and personalized healthcare decisions.

* Availity, LLC is an independent company providing administrative support serviceson behalf of the health plan.

MULTI-BCBS-CR-032115-23-CPN27574

Digital SolutionsMedicare AdvantageOctober 1, 2023

Availity: Medicare provider-facing talking points and FAQ

Background:

We continue to focus and expand our consumer tools and content to assist members in making more informed and personalized healthcare decisions. Provider performance can vary widely in relation to efficiency, quality, and member experience. Our goal as your Medicare health plan partner is to ensure our members receive high-quality care that leads to improved member health outcomes across a wide range of variables.

Beginning January 1, 2023, we added a new sorting option on the FindCare tool for members to leverage when they are searching for a primary care provider. This sorting option, called Personalized Match Phase 1, is based on each provider’s score relative to their peers in the patient’s preferred mileage search radius. Providers are listed in order of their total score, though no individual scores appear within the tool or be visible to Medicare covered patients. The Personalized Match Phase 1 algorithm is based on quality and efficiency criteria to assist members in making more informed choices about their medical care. Other sorting options are still available on FindCare for our members.

Personalized Match Phase 1 highlights:

  • We strive to make healthcare simpler, more affordable, and more accessible, and one of the ways to help achieve that goal is to ensure that consumers are connected with care providers who have strong track records delivering quality care.
  • Beginning on November 10, 2023, we will upgrade the online FindCare tool for Medicare members with a new sorting option called Personalized Match Phase 1, to match consumers with providers who perform well in efficiency and quality metrics within a certain geographical distance.
  • The new sorting option, known as Personalized Match Phase 1, will be the default for consumers who search for Medicare non-primary specialty care providers in FindCare.
  • We currently offer Personalized Match to Commercial consumer members. Personalized Match seeks to match consumers with documented health conditions with provider ranked based on cost effectively managing quality care. For example, if a consumer who has been given a diagnosis of diabetes conducts a search, they will be matched with providers whose patients are more likely to cost effectively manage similar patients with diabetes (for example, consistently receive recommended A1c tests A consumer who is a 60-year-old male would receive different Personalized Match provider rank order than a consumer who is a 30-year-old female). The goal is to move to this full Personalized Match solution in Medicare in the future. Personalized Match Phase 1 only analyzes providers’ quality and efficiency performance regardless of member characteristics for generating the sort order.
  • You may review a copy of the new sorting methodology which has been posted on Availity.*
  • If you have general questions regarding this new sorting option, please submit an inquiry via the web on Availity.
  • If you would like information about your scoring used for this sorting option or if you would like to request reconsideration of your score, you may do so by submitting an inquiry via the web on Availity.
  • This change is part of a greater effort to help improve access to high quality, affordable healthcare, which is essential to our customers.

FAQ

Why are we reimagining the strategy for evaluating non-primary specialty care providers?

There is variability in provider performance (efficiency, quality, experience), and we want to ensure all members receive high-quality care that leads to improved patient outcomes. The strategy aligns with the future direction of our specialty provider care strategy. This phase of the Medicare FindCare improvement utilizes measures related to appropriate practice (for example, overuse and underuse measures). We utilize a vendor, Motive Medical, to generate an overall Appropriate Practice Score at the NPI level, based on all CMS Fee-for-Service members.

How will I know my inquiry went through successfully once I submit?

An email will be sent to the inquirer acknowledging receipt of inquiry within two business days.

What is the turnaround time from when I submit my question to receiving an answer?

The goal is to have all questions answered within two business days. If further clarification is needed, or if detailed research is required, that time frame will be extended.

How will I receive my response?

An email will be sent with the required information back to the email address provided during the initial inquiry request.

How do I submit an inquiry?

Inquiries can be made at Availity site. There are three dropdown options for inquiry types. These are: 1) General Program Inquires, 2) Request a Copy of Your Provider Performance Scorecard, and 3) Provider Performance Scorecard Inquiries. An open text field is available to describe the nature of the inquiry in more detail.

What type of inquiries can I submit?

Any questions relating to Personalized Match Phase 1 that is not answered in this FAQ or by the Methodology document.

Do providers have any recourse if they feel their Provider Performance Scorecard is inaccurate?

If a provider disagrees with their Provider Performance Scorecard results, the provider can submit an inquiry at Availity site detailing their reasoning. We will determine the best course of action as needed, but potential outcomes could be a provider consultation, reanalysis, and potentially a rescoring of provider performance to be reflected in Personalized Match Phase 1 and the Provider Performance Scorecard.

What provider specialties are included in Personalized Match Phase 1?

For 2023, selected non-primary specialty care providers are included. We plan to potentially incorporate other provider specialties in future provider performance evaluations.

What measures are included in quality scoring and why were they included?

The quality measures selected for Personalized Match Phase 1 include underuse and overuse measures, within the appropriate practice domain. Measures vary by specialty and are available on request.

How are measures weighted?

Motive Medical considers three factors in weighting the importance of each measure as it impacts the overall NPI Appropriate Practice Score (APS):

  • Measure volume (for example, the number of instances a provider is eligible for measurement)
  • Cost differential (for example, the difference in cost between the inappropriate service chosen versus the cost of the appropriate alternative), and
  • Patient harm (for example, measures weigh more heavily if they have a stronger negative impact on the patient).

What measurement year and source are used in quality scoring?

Motive Medical’s Fall 2022 Refresh was used for quality scoring with varying claim periods by measure including dates from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2021.

What are the inclusion criteria for quality scoring?

A non-primary specialist care provider must have at least three appropriateness measures with at least ten members in each measure (a few measures require 20 members) for the APS score to be calculated. If the provider does not meet this threshold, the APS score is not available.

The APS score can be described in the following steps:

  • Within each specialty, calculate the mean Motive Medical APS score to be used as the national-specialty benchmark.
  • For each non-primary care specialty provider, calculate an APS Observed to Expected (O/E) ratio, comparing the provider to the benchmark for the same specialty:
    • Provider’s APS / national-specialty benchmark.
  • The quality score is the provider’s APS O/E percentile ranking at the national-specialty level.

What factors go into your efficiency target?

The factors going into our efficiency target are the episodes of the members are assigned to provider specialty who has the highest cost within the episode for Surgery and Evaluation costs. The observed cost of an episode is the sum of provider’s total allowed costs. The expected or peer benchmark cost of an episode is the average cost of treating the same condition or procedure with the same severity level for all specialists in the same line of business, specialty and geographic area multiplied by number of provider’s volume. For ETGs the measure is at the condition level (diabetes, asthma) and for PEGs it’s the procedure level (knee replacement, lumbar fusions):

  • Observed cost: Total provider cost
  • Expected cost: Specialty average cost for same case mix * physician volume
  • Efficiency index = observed / expected 

How is your efficiency target set?

Efficiency scores from the condition ETG and PEG procedure (observed/expected ratio scores) are blended into one final efficiency score by weighing the percentage of all the dollars that are tied to procedures vs conditions. This ensures that the efficiency scores for proceduralists (surgeons) are based more heavily on the procedure episodes. This is the final blended efficiency score for the provider:

  • A minimum of 20 episodes that have benchmarks are required to calculate a condition efficiency or procedure efficiency score for the provider.
  • A 90% statistical confidence interval is computed around the provider’s final blended efficiency score to account for the level of statistical uncertainty around the point estimation. For example, a provider with a final blended efficiency score of 0.97 might have the following confidence interval: Upper confidence level (UCL) of 1.03, Lower Confidence level (LCL) of 0.91.  

Cost ratings are then assigned to providers and provider groups using confidence intervals, as shown below. The provider group cost ratings are used for TIN Designation while individual provider cost ratings are used for the Provider composite score.

 For high-cost cases, how do you normalize which can occur across different groups?

We exclude outlier episodes from the scoring, low cost and high-cost episodes are flagged by the software at Condition/Procedure, Severity, and Line of business level.

Provider specialties with quality measures:

  • Cardiac electrophysiology
  • Cardiac surgery          
  • Cardiology               
  • Colorectal surgery       
  • Endocrinology            
  • Gastroenterology         
  • General surgery          
  • Geriatric psychiatry     
  • Hand surgery             
  • Hematology               
  • Hematology/oncology      
  • Interventional cardiology
  • Medical oncology      
  • Nephrology   
  • Neurology                
  • Neurosurgery             
  • Obstetrics gynecology    
  • Ophthalmology            
  • Orthopedic surgery       
  • Otolaryngology        
  • Psychiatry              
  • Pulmonary disease        
  • Radiation oncology       
  • Rheumatology             
  • Surgical oncology        
  • Thoracic surgery         
  • Urology                  
  • Vascular surgery

* Availity, LLC is an independent company providing administrative support services on behalf of the health plan.

MULTI-BCBS-CR-032328-23-CPN32306

Digital SolutionsCommercialMedicare AdvantageMedicaidOctober 1, 2023

Improvements to Secure Messaging through Claims Status and Payer Spaces

We are committed to a future of shared success and therefore we are excited to announce improvements to Secure Messaging when checking claim status or when reaching out about a resolution to a previous inquiry.

What’s new?

In mid-October the process for Secure Messaging will change:

  • Through Claims Status:
    • When you select Secure Messaging from the Claims Status application, the screens will be updated, creating a better navigation and accessibility experience.
  • Through Payer Spaces:
    • The process for submitting your secure message will stay the same through Payer Spaces. However, you will no longer use the Resources tab link to access your replies. 
    • You will send secure messages and receive your replies in one single location through Payer Spaces:
      • Access Secure Messaging through the Payer Spaces under Applications tab.

As a reminder, to find your claims status fast, use the self-service Claim Status application on Availity.com.* Recent enhancements make it even easier and faster to get the information you are looking for. Access Claims Status from the Claims & Payments tab.

For questions, contact your Provider Relationship Management representative or use Chat with Payer also available through Payer Spaces. 

* Availity, LLC is an independent company providing administrative support services on behalf of the health plan.

MULTI-BCBS-CDCRCM-035675-23-CPN35463

Education & TrainingCommercialOctober 1, 2023

New website for cancer caregivers

Fifty-three million Americans (more than one in five) are family caregivers. According to a new study, Caregiving in the U.S. 2020, caregivers face health challenges of their own. Nearly a quarter of caregivers find it hard to take care of their own health and say that caregiving has made their own health worse.  

Now, helpforcancercaregivers.org is here to help caregivers care for themselves. This interactive website, available 24/7, provides the information and resources that caregivers need to care for their own health and well-being. The website walks users through a brief survey and then provides a personalized Self-Care Guide to help them improve their health.

Studies show that family caregivers suffer from poorer physical health than those who do not have additional caregiving responsibilities. Studies have also found that:

  • Caregivers show higher levels of depression.
  • Caregivers suffer from high levels of stress and frustration — which can lead to burnout.
  • Stressful caregiving situations may lead to harmful behaviors, such as abusing drugs or alcohol.
  • Caregivers have an increased risk of heart disease.
  • Caregivers have lower levels of self-care. 
  • Chronic diseases of caregivers are often more difficult to manage.
  • Caregivers have an increased risk of sickness and premature death.

Evidence has also shown that education and intervention reduce caregiver strain, uncertainty, and helplessness and that information helps normalize the caregiver experience and enhances a sense of control. 

Caregivers for your patients can access Help for Cancer Caregivers at helpforcancercaregivers.org

MULTI-BCBS-CM-036949-23-CPN36922

WebinarsCommercialMedicare AdvantageSeptember 22, 2023

You're invited: Thriving, not just surviving: Youth mental health in today's world

This forum has moved from the original date of September 27, 2023 to October 19, 2023

Register today for the youth mental health forum hosted by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Anthem) and Motivo* for Anthem providers on October 19, 2023.

Thursday, October 19, 2023
3:30 to 5 p.m. Eastern time

This important event will address the critical need to engage young people in leading their mental health. By deepening the discussion on youth mental health, we can do our part to foster a culture of understanding and support for youth and young adults. Authentic conversations lead to reducing implicit bias and improving the health and wellbeing of all Americans and the communities in which we live and serve. 

Please join us to hear from a diverse panel of experienced professionals and young leaders as we explore the challenges experienced by today’s youth, amplify the experiences and ideas of young people, and equip attendees with practical tools and innovative approaches to create meaningful change.

Each forum will continue the exploration of ways we can reduce disparities in healthcare, demonstrate cultural humility, address, and deconstruct bias, have difficult and productive conversations, learn about valuable resources, increase inclusion, advance equity in healthcare.

Please register for this event by visiting this link

* Motivo is an independent company providing a virtual forum on behalf of the health plan.

MULTI-BCBS-CRCM-039386-23-CPN39367

WebinarsCommercialMedicare AdvantageMedicaidSeptember 22, 2023

You're invited: Thriving, not just surviving: Youth mental health in today's world

This forum has moved from the original date of September 27, 2023 to October 19, 2023

Register today for the youth mental health forum hosted by Anthem and Motivo* for Anthem providers on October 19, 2023.

Thursday, October 19, 2023
3:30 to 5 p.m. Eastern time

This important event will address the critical need to engage young people in leading their mental health. By deepening the discussion on youth mental health, we can do our part to foster a culture of understanding and support for youth and young adults. Authentic conversations lead to reducing implicit bias and improving the health and wellbeing of all Americans and the communities in which we live and serve. 

Please join us to hear from a diverse panel of experienced professionals and young leaders as we explore the challenges experienced by today’s youth, amplify the experiences and ideas of young people, and equip attendees with practical tools and innovative approaches to create meaningful change.

Each forum will continue the exploration of ways we can reduce disparities in healthcare, demonstrate cultural humility, address, and deconstruct bias, have difficult and productive conversations, learn about valuable resources, increase inclusion, advance equity in healthcare.

Please register for this event by visiting this link

* Motivo is an independent company providing a virtual forum on behalf of the health plan.

KYBCBS-CDCRCM-039378-23-CPN39367

WebinarsMedicare AdvantageJune 30, 2023

Required training - Model of Care

As a contracted provider for Special Needs Plan (SNP) from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Anthem), you are required to participate in an annual training on Model of Care for Anthem. This training includes a detailed overview of SNPs and program information — highlighting cost sharing, data sharing, participation in the Interdisciplinary Care team (ICT), where to access the member’s health risk assessment results, plan of care, and benefit coordination.

Training for SNP product for Anthem is self-paced and available at availity.com.*

The training must be completed by December 31, 2023.

How to access the Custom Learning Center on the Availity website:

  1. Log in to Availity website at availity.com.
    • At the top of Availity website, select Payer Spaces and select the appropriate payer.
  2. On the Payer Spaces landing page, select Access Your Custom Learning Center from Applications.
  3. In the Custom Learning Center, select Required Training.
  4. Select Special Needs Plan and Model of Care Overview.
  5. Select Enroll.
  6. Select Start.
  7. Once the course is completed, select Begin Attestation and complete.

Not registered for Availity Essentials?

Have your organization’s designated administrator register your organization for the Availity website:

  1. Visit availity.com to register.
  2. Select Register.
  3. Select your organization type.
  4. In the Registration wizard, follow the prompts to complete the registration for your organization.

Refer to these PDF documents: https://apps.availity.com/availity/Demos/Registration/index.htm for complete registration instructions.

* Availity, LLC is an independent company providing administrative support services on behalf of the health plan.

MULTI-BCBS-CR-022628-23, CPN22400, MULTI-BCBS-CR-039458-23-CPN39408

WebinarsCommercialMedicare AdvantageOctober 1, 2023

Looking to earn CME credits? Check out the CME Engagement Hub!

Overview

We’re committed to being actively involved with our care provider partners and going beyond the contract to create a real impact on the health of our communities. That’s why we offer care providers free continuing medical education (CME) sessions to learn best practices to overcoming barriers in achieving clinical quality goals and improved patient outcomes. 

Engagement Hub objectives:

  • Learn strategies to help you and your care team improve your performance across a range of clinical areas.
  • Apply the knowledge you gain from the webinars to improve your organization’s clinical quality.
  • Offer care providers a convenient way to earn CME credits at a time that works best for them. 
  • Each session in this series is approved for one American Academy of Family Physicians credit:
    • Browse the listing of free CME webinars.
    • Open the CME webinars in Google Chrome

MULTI-BCBS-CRCM-038423-23-CPN38131

Policy UpdatesMedicaidSeptember 5, 2023

Clinical Criteria updates - May 2023

Clinical Criteria updates

On August 19, 2022, September 15, 2022, November 18, 2022, December 22, 2022, May 2, 2023, and May 19, 2023, the Pharmacy and Therapeutic (P&T) Committee approved the following Clinical Criteria applicable to the medical drug benefit for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medicaid (Anthem). These policies were developed, revised, or reviewed to support clinical coding edits. 

Visit Clinical Criteria to search for specific policies. If you have questions or need additional information, use this email.

Please see the explanation/definition for each category of Clinical Criteria below:

  • New: Newly published criteria.
  • Revised: Addition or removal of medical necessity requirements, new document number
  • Updates marked with an asterisk (*) notate that the criteria may be perceived as more restrictive.

Please share this notice with other providers in your practice and office staff.

Please note: 

  • The Clinical Criteria listed below applies only to the medical drug benefits contained within the member’s medical policy. This does not apply to pharmacy services.
  • This notice is meant to inform the provider of new or revised criteria that has been adopted by Anthem only. It does not include details regarding any authorization requirements. Authorization rules are communicated via a separate notice.

Effective date

Clinical Criteria  number

Clinical Criteria title

New or revised

October 8, 2023

*CC-0237

Qalsody (tofersen) 

New

October 8, 2023

*CC-0238

Hydroxyprogesterone caproate 

New

October 8, 2023

*CC-0240

Zynyz (retifanlimab-dlwr) 

New

October 8, 2023

CC-0165

Trodelvy (sacituzumab govitecan)

Revised

October 8, 2023

CC-0002

Colony Stimulating Factor Agents

Revised

October 8, 2023

CC-0128

Tecentriq (atezolizumab)

Revised

October 8, 2023

CC-0098

Doxorubicin Liposome (Doxil, Lipodox)

Revised

October 8, 2023

CC-0101

Torisel (temsirolimus)

Revised

October 8, 2023

CC-0107

Bevacizumab for Non-Ophthalmologic Indications

Revised

October 8, 2023

CC-0143

Polivy (polatuzumab vedotin-piiq)

Revised

October 8, 2023

CC-0092

Adcetris (brentuximab vedotin)

Revised

October 8, 2023

CC-0095

Velcade (bortezomib)

Revised

October 8, 2023

CC-0105

Vectibix (panitumumab)

Revised

October 8, 2023

CC-0178

Synribo (omacetaxine mepesuccinate)

Revised

October 8, 2023

CC-0114

Jevtana (cabazitaxel)

Revised

October 8, 2023

CC-0145

Libtayo (cemiplimab-rwlc)

Revised

October 8, 2023

*CC-0032

Botulinum Toxin

Revised

October 8, 2023

CC-0068

Growth Hormone

Revised

October 8, 2023

*CC-0057

Krystexxa (pegloticase)

Revised

October 8, 2023

*CC-0125

Opdivo (nivolumab) 

Revised

October 8, 2023

*CC-0225

Tzield (teplizumab-mzwv)

Revised

October 8, 2023

*CC-0167

Rituximab Agents for Oncologic Indications

Revised

October 8, 2023

*CC-0075

Rituximab Agents for Non-Oncologic Indications 

Revised

October 8, 2023

*CC-0182

Iron Agents 

Revised

October 8, 2023

*CC-0124

Keytruda (pembrolizumab)

Revised

KYBCBS-CD-031928-23-CPN30759

Policy UpdatesMedicare AdvantageSeptember 13, 2023

Clinical Criteria updates - June 2023

Medical drug benefit Clinical Criteria updates

On August 19, 2022, September 12, 2022, November 18, 2022, February 24, 2023, May 19, 2023, June 12, 2023, and July 11, 2023, the Pharmacy and Therapeutic (P&T) Committee approved the following Clinical Criteria applicable to the medical drug benefit for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Anthem). These policies were developed, revised, or reviewed to support clinical coding edits. 

Visit Clinical Criteria to search for specific policies. If you have questions or would like additional information, use this email.

Please see the explanation/definition for each category of Clinical Criteria below:

  • New: newly published criteria
  • Revised: addition or removal of medical necessity requirements, new document number
  • Updates marked with an asterisk (*) notate that the criteria may be perceived as more restrictive

Please share this notice with other providers in your practice and office staff.

Note: 

  • The Clinical Criteria listed below applies only to the medical drug benefits contained within the member’s medical policy. This does not apply to pharmacy services.
  • This notice is meant to inform the provider of new or revised criteria that has been adopted by Anthem only. It does not include details regarding any authorization requirements. Authorization rules are communicated via a separate notice.

Effective date

Document number

Clinical Criteria title

New or revised

October 18, 2023

*CC-0243

Vyjuvek (beremagene geperpavec)

New

October 18, 2023

*CC-0242

Epkinly (epcoritamab-bysp)

New

October 18, 2023

*CC-0241

Elfabrio (pegunigalsidase alfa-iwxj)

New

October 18, 2023

CC-0228

Leqembi (lecanemab)

Revised

October 18, 2023

*CC-0061

Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Analogs for the Treatment of Non-Oncologic Indications

Revised

October 18, 2023

*CC-0015

Infertility and HCG Agents

Revised

October 18, 2023

*CC-0062

Tumor Necrosis Factor Antagonists

Revised

October 18, 2023

CC-0151

Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel) 

Revised

October 18, 2023

*CC-0177

Zilretta (triamcinolone acetonide extended-release) 

Revised

October 18, 2023

CC-0149

Select Clotting Agents for Bleeding Disorders

Revised

October 18, 2023

CC-0032

Botulinum Toxin 

Revised

October 18, 2023

*CC-0002

Colony Stimulating Factor Agents

Revised

October 18, 2023

*CC-0001

Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents 

Revised

October 18, 2023

*CC-0174

Kesimpta (ofatumumab) 

Revised

October 18, 2023

*CC-0209

Leqvio (inclisiran) 

Revised

October 18, 2023

*CC-0011

Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) 

Revised

October 18, 2023

*CC-0005

Hyaluronan Injections - Medicare Only 

Revised

MULTI-BCBS-CR-036939-23-CPN36113

Medical Policy & Clinical GuidelinesCommercialOctober 1, 2023

Transition to Carelon Medical Benefits Management, Inc. site of care guidelines

Effective December 30, 2023, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Anthem) will transition the Clinical Criteria for site of care reviews to the following Carelon Medical Benefits Management* (Caralon) site of care guidelines to perform medical necessity and clinical appropriateness reviews for the requested site of care for certain procedures.

Program

Services

Carelon Guideline

CPT® code list links

Surgical

Routine outpatient surgical procedures across the following specialty services: gastroenterology (including upper and lower endoscopy), ophthalmology (such as cataract surgery), gynecology, dermatology, urology, pulmonary and musculoskeletal

Surgical Appropriate Use Criteria: Site of Service

https://tinyurl.com/8bruffkj

Radiology 

Routine outpatient CT and MRI imaging such as head, chest, and extremity imaging.

Advanced Imaging Appropriate Use Criteria: Site of Care

https://tinyurl.com/y45hsv5h

Musculoskeletal

Select musculoskeletal and pain procedures, including shoulder and knee arthroscopies and epidural injections.

Surgical Appropriate Use Criteria: Site of Care

https://tinyurl.com/3xujthte 

Rehabilitative Services

Routine outpatient speech, occupational, and physical therapy services

Outpatient Rehabilitative and Habilitative Services Appropriate Use Criteria: Site of Care

https://tinyurl.com/5dz92sp4

Note: These reviews do not apply to procedures performed on an emergent basis.

Carelon Medical Benefits Management also manages the musculoskeletal level of care review using The Carelon Musculoskeletal Appropriate Use Criteria: Level of Care for Musculoskeletal Surgery and Procedures guideline.  

Members included in the program

The new review criteria apply to all Anthem members currently participating in the above mentioned Carelon Medical Benefits Management programs. To determine if prior authorization by Carelon Medical Benefits Management is required for a member, contact the Provider Services phone number on the back of the member’s ID card. 

The following members are excluded: Medicare Advantage (individual and group),

Medicare, Medicare supplement, and the Federal Employee Program® (FEP).

Prior authorization requirements

Prior authorization requirements remain the same. For services scheduled to begin on or after December 29, 2023, care providers must contact Carelon Medical Benefits Management to obtain prior authorization. Requested services received on or after December 29, 2023, will be reviewed with the new Clinical Criteria.

Care providers may submit prior authorization requests to Carelon Medical Benefits Management at providerportal.com. Initiating a request and entering all the requested clinical information will provide an immediate determination 24/7.

For questions related to guidelines, please contact Carelon Medical Benefits Management via email at MedicalBenefitsManagement.guidelines@Carelon.com. Additionally, you may download a copy of the current and upcoming guidelines here.

* Carelon Medical Benefits Management, Inc. is an independent company providing utilization management services on behalf of the health plan.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Anthem Health Plans of Kentucky, Inc. Independent licensee(s) of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Anthem is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc.

MULTI-BCBS-CM-038847-23

Medical Policy & Clinical GuidelinesCommercialOctober 1, 2023

Medical Policies and Clinical Guidelines updates 

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Anthem) Medical Policies and Clinical Guidelines were reviewed for Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The chart below contains the current Clinical Guidelines and Medical Policies reviewed, and the updates that were approved. 

Policy or Guideline

 

Information

 

Effective date

 

DME.00032 Automated External Defibrillators for Home Use

Add to prior authorization   

1/1/2024

LAB.00003 In Vitro Chemosensitivity Assays and In Vitro Chemoresistance Assays

Add to prior authorization   

1/1/2024

LAB.00011 Selected Protein Biomarker Algorithmic Assays

Add to prior authorization   

1/1/2024

LAB.00019 Proprietary Algorithms for Liver Fibrosis in the Evaluation and Monitoring of Chronic Liver Disease

Add to prior authorization   

1/1/2024

LAB.00024 Immune Cell Function Assay

Add to prior authorization   

1/1/2024

LAB.00027 Selected Blood, Serum and Cellular Allergy and Toxicity Tests

Add to prior authorization   

1/1/2024

LAB.00035 Multi-biomarker Disease Activity Blood Tests for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Add to prior authorization   

1/1/2024

LAB.00036 Multiplex Autoantigen Microarray Testing for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Add to prior authorization   

1/1/2024

LAB.00037 Serologic Testing for Biomarkers of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Add to prior authorization   

1/1/2024

LAB.00041 Machine Learning Derived Probability Score for Rapid Kidney Function Decline

Add to prior authorization   

1/1/2024

LAB.00046 Testing for Biochemical Markers for Alzheimer's Disease

Add to prior authorization   

1/1/2024

LAB.00048 Pain Management Biomarker Analysis

Add to prior authorization   

1/1/2024

GENE.00057 Gene Expression Profiling for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Add to prior authorization   

1/1/2024

MED.00004 Technologies for the Evaluation of Skin Lesions (including Dermatoscopy, Epiluminescence Microscopy, Video microscopy, Ultrasonography)

Add to prior authorization   

1/1/2024

GENE.00052 Whole Genome Sequencing, Whole Exome Sequencing, Gene Panels, and Molecular Profiling

Add to prior authorization   

1/1/2024

SURG.00092 Implanted Devices for Spinal Stenosis

Add to prior authorization   

1/1/2024

LAB.00031 Advanced Lipoprotein Testing

Adding Code 0052U to prior authorization - Lipoprotein, blood, high resolution fractionation and quantitation of lipoproteins, including all five major lipoprotein classes and subclasses of HDL, LDL, and VLDL by vertic

1/1/2024

LAB.00033 Protein Biomarkers for the Screening, Detection and Management of Prostate Cancer

Adding Code 0228U to prior authorization - Oncology (prostate), multianalyte molecular profile by photometric detection of macromolecules adsorbed on nanosponge array slides with machine learning, utilizing first morni

1/1/2024

LAB.00015 Detection of Circulating Tumor Cell

Adding Code 0337U to prior authorization - Oncology (plasma cell disorders and myeloma), circulating plasma cell immunologic selection, identification, morphological characterization, and enumeration of plasma cells ba

1/1/2024

LAB.00015 Detection of Circulating Tumor Cell              

Adding Code 0091U to prior authorization - Oncology (colorectal) screening, cell enumeration of circulating tumor cells, utilizing whole blood, algorithm, for the presence of adenoma or cancer, reported as a positive o

1/1/2024

LAB.00033 Protein Biomarkers for the Screening, Detection and Management of Prostate Cancer             

Adding Code 0359U to prior authorization - Oncology (prostate cancer), analysis of all prostate-specific antigen (PSA) structural isoforms by phase separation and immunoassay, plasma, algorithm reports risk of cancer

1/1/2024


 * Denotes prior authorization required

To view Medical Policies and utilization management guidelines, visit Anthem.com and select Providers, then select your state. Under Provider Resources, select Policies, Guidelines, and Manuals

To help determine if prior authorization is needed for Anthem members, visit Anthem.com and select Providers, then select your state. Under Claims, select Prior Authorization. You can also call the phone number on the back of the member’s ID card. 

To view medical policies and utilization management guidelines applicable to members enrolled in the Federal Employee Program® (FEP), visit fepblue.org and select Policies and Guidelines.  

MULTI-BCBS-CM-038398-23

Prior AuthorizationMedicaidSeptember 13, 2023

Prior authorization requirement changes effective November 1, 2023

Effective November 1, 2023 prior authorization (PA) requirements will change for the following code(s). The medical code(s) listed below will require PA by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medicaid for Medicaid members. Federal and state law, as well as state contract language and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services guidelines, including definitions and specific contract provisions/exclusions take precedence over these PA rules and must be considered first when determining coverage. Non-compliance with new requirements may result in denied claims. 

Prior authorization requirements will be added for the following code(s):

Code

Code description

69705

Nasopharyngoscopy, surgical, with dilation of eustachian tube (in other words, balloon dilation); unilateral

69706

Nasopharyngoscopy, surgical, with dilation of eustachian tube (in other words, balloon dilation); bilateral

 To request PA, you may use one of the following methods:

  • Web: Once logged in to Availity* at Availity.com
  • Fax: 800-964-3627
  • Phone: 855-661-2028

Not all PA requirements are listed here. Detailed PA requirements are available to providers on providers.anthem.com/ky on the Resources tab or for contracted providers by accessing availity.com. Providers may also call Provider Services at 855-661-2028 for assistance with PA requirements.

* Availity, LLC is an independent company providing administrative support services on behalf of the health plan.

UM AROW ##4500

KYBCBS-CD-028262-23-CPN27261

Reimbursement PoliciesCommercialOctober 1, 2023

Reimbursement policy update: After-Hours, Emergency, and Miscellaneous E/M Services – Professional

Beginning with dates of service on or after January 1, 2024, the After-Hours, Emergency, and Miscellaneous E/M Services – Professional reimbursement policy will also apply to facility providers. The intent of this policy is to reimburse professional providers for rendering urgent services outside of regular hours (“after hours” services) when such services are:

  • Billed on a CMS-1500 form.
  • Billed with an office place of service (POS 11).
  • Rendered between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. on weekdays or anytime on weekends based on arrival time and not the actual time the service commenced.

The policy will not allow separate reimbursement for “after hours” codes 99050 or 99051 when:

  • Billed by facility providers.
  • Billed with POS 20 (urgent care facility).

The policy will be retitled After-Hours, Emergency, and Miscellaneous E/M Services – Professional and Facility.

For specific policy details, visit anthem.com and select For Providers. Under the Provider Resources heading, select Policies, Guidelines & Manuals. On the next screen, select the Select a State. Next, under the Reimbursement Policies heading, select Access policies.

MULTI-BCBS-CM-038560-23-CPN38439

Reimbursement PoliciesMedicare AdvantageOctober 1, 2023

Genetic Tests: Once per Lifetime 

New Reimbursement Policy

Genetic Tests: Once per Lifetime
(Policy G-23002, effective 01/01/2024)

Beginning with dates of service on or after January 1, 2024, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Anthem) will implement a new reimbursement policy titled Genetic Tests: Once per Lifetime. This policy identifies specific genetic tests allowed once in a member’s lifetime. During the member’s lifetime, the germline genotype will not change. However, the interpretation of the gene sequence may change due to recategorization of variants, or other factors. Repeat sequencing is not required for future interpretation of germline genotype, or re-analysis of previously sequenced data.

The Related Coding section includes a Once per Lifetime Genetic Test coding list, which describes the genetic procedures that are limited to once per lifetime sequencing. Reinterpretation of the original results are not separately reimbursable.

For additional information, please review the Genetic Tests: Once per Lifetime reimbursement policy at https://www.anthem.com/medicareprovider.

MULTI-BCBS-CR-033765-23-CPN29184

PharmacyCommercialOctober 1, 2023

Specialty pharmacy updates — October 2023

Specialty pharmacy updates for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Anthem) are listed below.

Prior authorization clinical review of non-oncology use of specialty pharmacy drugs is managed by Anthem’s medical specialty drug review team. Review of specialty pharmacy drugs for oncology use is managed by Carelon Medical Benefits Management, Inc.*

Important to note: Currently, your patients may be receiving these medications without prior authorization. As of the effective date below, you may be required to request prior authorization review for your patients’ continued use of these medications.

Including the National Drug Code (NDC) code on your claim will help expedite claim processing of drugs billed with a Not Otherwise Classified (NOC) code.

Prior authorization updates

Effective for dates of service on and after January 1, 2024, the following specialty pharmacy codes from current or new clinical criteria documents will be included in our prior authorization review process.

Access our Clinical Criteria to view the complete information for these prior authorization updates.

Clinical Criteria

Drug

HCPCS or CPT® code(s)

CC-0244*

Columvi (glofitamab-gxbm)

C9399, J3490, J3590, J9999

CC-0245

Izervay (avacincaptad pegol) 

C9399, J3490, J3590, J9999

CC-0246

Rystiggo (rozanolixizumab-noli)

C9399, J3490, J3590, J9999

* Oncology use is managed by Carelon Medical Benefits Management.

Note: Prior authorization requests for certain medications may require additional documentation to determine medical necessity.

Step therapy updates

Courtesy notice — Effective for dates of service on and after October 1, 2023, updated step therapy criteria for iron agents found in the clinical criteria document for CC-0182 will be implemented. The preferred product list is being expanded to include Infed. Please refer to the clinical criteria document for details.

Access our Clinical Criteria to view the complete information for these step therapy updates.

Quantity limit updates

Effective for dates of service on and after January 1, 2024, the following specialty pharmacy codes from current or new clinical criteria documents will be included in our quantity limit review process.

Access our Clinical Criteria to view the complete information for these quantity limit updates.

Clinical Criteria

Drug

HCPCS or CPT code(s)

CC-0245

Izervay (avacincaptad pegol) 

C9399, J3490, J3590, J9999

CC-0246

Rystiggo (rozanolixizumab-noli)

C9399, J3490, J3590, J9999

* Carelon Medical Benefits Management, Inc. is an independent company providing utilization management services on behalf of the health plan.

MULTI-BCBS-CM-038617-23-CPN38572

PharmacyMedicare AdvantageSeptember 22, 2023

Medicare Part B precert expansion: Elfabrio, Epkinly, Qalsody, Vyjuvek, and Zynyz

Expanded specialty pharmacy precertification list

Effective for dates of service on and after January 1, 2024, the specialty Medicare Part B drugs listed in the table below will be included in our precertification review process. 

Federal and state law, as well as state contract language and CMS guidelines, including definitions and specific contract provisions/exclusions, take precedence over these precertification rules and must be considered first when determining coverage. Noncompliance with new requirements may result in denied claims.

HCPCS or CPT® codes

Medicare Part B drugs

J3490, J3590

Elfabrio (pegunigalsidase alfa-iwxj)

C9399, J3490, J3590, J9999

Epkinly (epcoritamab-bysp)

J3490, J3590

Qalsody (tofersen)

J3490, J3590

Vyjuvek (beremagene geperpavec)

J9999

Zynyz (retifanlimab-dlwr)

MULTI-BCBS-CR-037831-23-CPN37401

PharmacyMedicare AdvantageSeptember 19, 2023

Medicare Part B precert expansion: Adstiladrin, Altuviiio, Idacio, Lamzede, Lunsumio, Rebyota, Signifor LAR, Syfovre, and Vivimusta

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield expands specialty pharmacy precertification list

The previous effective date was previously listed in error as October 1, 2023, this correct effective date is December 1, 2023.

Effective for dates of service on and after December 1, 2023, the specialty Medicare Part B drugs listed in the table below will be included in our precertification review process.

Federal and state law, as well as state contract language and CMS guidelines, including definitions and specific contract provisions/exclusions, take precedence over these precertification rules and must be considered first when determining coverage. Noncompliance with new requirements may result in denied claims.

HCPCS or CPT® codes

Medicare Part B drugs

J9029

Adstiladrin (nadofaragene firadenovec-vncg)

C9399, J7199

Altuviiio (antihemophilic factor (recombinant)

C9399, J3490

Lamzede (velmanase alfa-tycv)

J9350

Lunsumio (mosunetuzumab-axgb)

J1440

Rebyota (fecal microbiota, live – jslm)

J2502

Signifor LAR (pasireotide)

C9151, C9399, J3490

Syfovre (pegcetacoplan) 

J9056

Vivimusta (bendamustine)

MULTI-BCBS-CR-023557-23-CPN23416

PharmacyMedicaidSeptember 14, 2023

Notice of Material Amendment to Healthcare Contract: Prior authorization updates for medications billed under the medical benefit 

Effective November 1, 2023, the following medication codes will require prior authorization. 

Please note, inclusion of a national drug code on your medical claim is necessary for claims processing. 

Visit the Clinical Criteria website to search for the following Clinical Criteria:

Clinical Criteria

HCPCS or CPT® code(s)

Drug name

CC-0072

Q5129

Vegzelma (bevacizumab-adcd)

CC-0107

Q5129

Vegzelma (bevacizumab-adcd)

What if I need assistance?

If you have questions about this communication or need assistance with any other item, contact your local Provider Relationship Management representative or call Provider Services at 855-661-2028.

Note: Prior authorization requests for certain medications may require additional documentation to determine medical necessity.

KYBCBS-CD-026967-23-CPN25795

Quality ManagementCommercialMedicare AdvantageMedicaidAugust 29, 2023

Pharmacotherapy Management of COPD Exacerbation HEDIS

Healthcare Effectiveness Data Information Set (HEDIS®) is a widely used set of performance measures developed and maintained by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). These are used to drive improvement efforts surrounding best practices.

The Pharmacotherapy Management of COPD Exacerbation (PCE) measure assesses chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations for adults 40 years of age and older who had appropriate medication therapy to manage an exacerbation. A COPD exacerbation is defined as an acute inpatient discharge or emergency department visit with a primary discharge diagnosis of COPD. Two rates are reported: 

  • Dispensed a systemic corticosteroid (or there is evidence of an active prescription) within 14 days of the event 
  • Dispensed a bronchodilator (or there is evidence of an active prescription) within 30 days of the event1

COPD is a debilitating lung condition that affects one in eight Americans age 45 and older. More than 16 million Americans have been diagnosed with COPD, and millions more have it without knowing. 2 

COPD exacerbations make up a significant portion of the costs associated with the disease. 

Appropriate prescribing of medication following exacerbation can prevent future flare-ups, improve health outcomes, and reduce the healthcare burden of COPD.3

Who has COPD?4

Prevalence by ethnicity

12% American Indians and Alaska Natives

7% 

Non-Hispanic Blacks

7% Whites

4% Hispanics 

3% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

2% Asian Americans 

COPD action plan 

A COPD action plan is a personalized patient tool that includes the important steps to help manage COPD. It allows patients to track how they are doing and note any concerns to discuss with their provider. It addresses medications, exercise, diet, and avoidance of triggers, such as tobacco products and other inhaled irritants. The plan should be discussed at each visit and updated as needed.

 HEDIS helpful tips:

  • Schedule a follow-up appointment after discharge and confirm that the patient has the appropriate medications. 
  • Reconcile patients’ medications with those prescribed at discharge when you receive the discharge summary.
  • Ask the patient if they have any barriers that prevent them from filling their prescriptions. 
  • Assure patients with COPD are up to date on their vaccinations, including flu, pneumococcal, and COVID-19. 
  • Provide a COPD action plan for the patient, including daily medications, trigger avoidance, and what to do when flare-ups do occur: 


Resources:

  1. NCQA. Pharmacotherapy Management of COPD Exacerbation. Pharmacotherapy Management of COPD Exacerbation - NCQA
  2. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. COPD National Action Plan. tinyurl.com/4sphb6fy
  3. Pasquale, M.K., S.X. Sun, F. Song, H.J. Hartnett, and S.A. Stemkowski. Impact of exacerbations on health care cost and resource utilization in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with chronic bronchitis from a predominantly Medicare population. International Journal of COPD 7:757-64. doi: 10.2147/COPD.S36997. tinyurl.com/yma3yt7r
  4. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Smoking Status — United States, 2017, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR),68(24), pp. 533-538 (June 21, 2019), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
  5. American Lung Association. COPD Action Plan & Management Tools. American Lung Association COPD Action Plan & Management Tools
HEDIS® is a registered trademark of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).

KYBCBS-CDCRCM-026827-23-CPN26072