Author - Texas Children's Health Plan
30Aug

Additional electronic payments offered with Virtual Credit Card option

You now have an additional payment option The Virtual Credit Card (VCC) has been made available through ChangeHealth, previously known as Emdeon. This option is available for all providers. VCC allows providers to accept a virtual payment instead of a paper check or electronic funds transfers. When you use VCC, providers will receive a unique 16-digit credit card number for every payment made by Texas Children’s Health Plan. That number is then keyed into your credit card terminal to receive...

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29Aug

Provider Alert! STAR Kids Provider Training Schedule

Beginning September 1, 2016, STAR Kids Provider Training will be offered in multiple locations, including the Harris, Jefferson and North East Medicaid service areas. Make your plans today to attend a training near you. Check our website for more details on training dates, locations, and registration. Click to Register for STAR Kids Provider Training

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19Aug

SBIRT: A validated practice to recognize teens who need help for substance abuse is a benefit of Texas Medicaid

A recent survey of pediatricians found that only a minority of pediatricians used validated screening tools for substance abuse screening, and most relied on clinical impressions. Studies have found that only one-third of adolescents excessively using alcohol were detected when pediatricians relied on clinical impressions. A revised policy statement and a new clinical report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (see additional resources below) contain updated guidance, including screening tools and intervention procedures in support of universal Screening, Brief Intervention...

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15Jul

Ensure the continuity of care for your teenage patients

During the transition from adolescence into adulthood, usually between the ages of 18 and 19, many Pediatric Primary Care Physicians inform their patients that they will no longer be able to serve as their Physician and ask them to secure a new Physician in an adult practice. After many years of being cared for by one Pediatric Physician, we recognize this can be an emotional time for everyone involved; however, Texas Children’s Health Plan is here to help. At Texas...

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03Jul

Zika Virus Resources

The clinical and epidemiologic information about Zika Virus is rapidly evolving. Below you will find a list of websites and resources with the most up-to-date information regarding the infection. Texas Department of State Health Services Webinar: The Department of State Health Services has prepared a recorded webinar on the Zika Virus Disease by Dr. John Hellerstedt, DSHS Commissioner. The presentation includes information relevant to Texas providers on Zika incidence, distribution of the disease, modes of transmission, strategies to prevent transmission, and symptoms. The...

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01Jul

Drying up swimmer’s ear: Treating acute otitis externa

Each year, more than 6 million cases of swimmer’s ear, or acute otitis externa, will cause kids and teenagers painful infections in the ear canal,-interrupting many vacations and days of summer fun.  Swimmer’s ear is caused primarily by a bacterial infection. Psuedomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are two of the most common pathogens. Symptoms of acute otitis externa include the rapid onset of ear canal inflammation resulting in pain, itching, ear canal swelling and redness, possible decreased hearing, and there...

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09Jun

Do you know how to access the Texas Children’s Health Plan formulary?

Texas Children’s Health Plan follows the State of Texas Medicaid and CHIP formulary that is managed by the Texas Medicaid/CHIP Vendor Drug Program. Prescribers and their staff can easily access the formulary online at: http://www.txvendordrug.com/formulary/index.asp. By visiting this website, you can search for either a drug or product by either NDC, brand name, generic name, or class. The results will show: Drug Program Type (Drugs covered by Medicaid(STAR) will display a V, Drugs covered by CHIP will display a P) Drug Name Generic Name NDC number that...

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07Jun

Not Too Much and Not Too Long: Appropriate Use of Opiates for Pain Management

In March 2016, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a guideline for prescribing opioids for chronic pain.  The most important points for primary care providers treating acute pain severe enough to require opioids are to prescribe the lowest effective dose of immediate-release opioids and to prescribe a quantity no greater than what is necessary.  Three days or less will often be sufficient; more than seven days will rarely be needed. Opioid pain medication use presents serious risks,...

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02Jun

ADHD: Should your patient take a drug holiday?

Parents of children who take stimulant medication for ADHD often wonder whether their kids should take a "drug holiday" during the summer months. A drug holiday, or a structured treatment interruption, is a deliberate, temporary suspension of medication. Child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Edward Walton, recommends against drug holidays unless there is a compelling reason. Current research and population data shows that children with ADHD who stick with their treatment programs year-round reap better results than those who experience treatment interruptions. Children...

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07May

5 Ways to Encourage Speech Development and Language Skills

Long before a child speaks their first word, a child is already communicating.  The first signs of communication happen during the first few days of life when an infant learns that a cry will bring food and comfort. The newborn also begins to recognize the sound of a parent or caregiver’s voice. As they grow, infants begin to sort out the speech sounds that compose the words of their language.   As the infant’s oral motor skills and voice advance, they...

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