News Blog
01May

The new and improved Provider Portal is here!

The upgraded Texas Children’s Health Plan Provider Portal is now live! We have worked to bring a revamped user experience to our entire provider network. Our goal is to empower our providers with the tools to access accurate, timely data, so that they are able to deliver the best possible care to our members and their families. The redesigned portal features: Improved functionality for the claims, appeals, and messaging center Health Management Tools menu Access to Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) data...

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Provider Alert!
30Apr

Provider Alert! Texas Children’s Health Plan Claim Editing System Update

Attention:  All Providers Reminder: Texas Children’s Health Plan Claim Editing System Update   Texas Children’s Health Plan (TCHP) previously sent a Provider Alert notifying providers that an intended transition to a new Claims Editing System (CES) by Optum was to occur in December 2018. Please be advised that this transition will now be occurring May 31, 2019.  Any claims submitted May 31, 2019 and after, including corrected and adjusted claims, will be processed with the Optum CES edits. TCHP is required by Texas Health...

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26Apr

Appointment Availability Standards

Appointment availability standards What are appointment availability standards? How do you as a provider with Texas Children’s Health Plan play a role? In 2015 Senate Bill 760 passed, requiring Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to monitor the provider networks of managed care organizations. Texas Children’s Health Plan would like to ensure members are able to schedule appointments with providers in accordance with the HHSC’s appointment accessibility guidelines.                                                 AFTER HOURS: Primary Care Physicians who are accessible 24 hours a day, seven days...

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25Apr

Texas Children’s Health Plan partners with Baylor College of Medicine to address and prevent opioid abuse in perinatal populations

Women of childbearing age have been disproportionately impacted by the opioid epidemic. Consequently, the rates of in utero drug exposure and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome have increased dramatically over the last decade.  In Texas, overdose is the leading cause of maternal death in the first postpartum year. To prevent and respond to these issues, faculty from Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Health Plan were recently awarded funding from the Office of National Drug Control Policy’s grant program entitled Combating Opioid...

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24Apr

Prior Authorization Reference Information

The Texas Children’s Health Plan website now has an additional resource for information related to prior authorization requirements. The Prior Authorization Reference Information documents the codes that require authorization for payment based on authorization category. This list is not yet all-inclusive. It can be found at: https://www.texaschildrenshealthplan.org/sites/default/files/pdf/PA%20Code%20List%20December%202018.pdf In addition, providers can submit an authorization request online for the codes listed on the Prior Authorization Reference Information document via Clear Coverage. For access to or training on the use of Clear Coverage,...

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23Apr

Update to Children’s Services Handbook THSteps Medical Checkups

Note: Texas Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) must provide all medically necessary, Medicaid-covered services to eligible clients. Administrative procedures such as prior authorization, pre-certification, referrals, and claims/encounter data filing may differ from traditional Medicaid (fee-for-service) and from MCO to MCO. Providers should contact the client's specific MCO for details. Beginning February 1, 2019, TMHP will update the Texas Medicaid Provider Procedures Manual, Volume 2, Children’s Services Handbook, subsection 5.3.6 “Texas Health Steps Medical Checkups,” to remove the referral indicator requirement and...

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Provider Alert!
22Apr

Provider Alert! Governor Greg Abbott Issues Disaster Declaration for Cherokee, Freestone, Houston, Leon, Madison, Nacogdoches, Robertson, San Augustine, and Shelby Counties.

On April 18, 2019: Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for the following counties Cherokee, Freestone, Houston, Leon, Madison, Nacogdoches, Robertson, San Augustine, and Shelby counties. If a member resides in one of these impacted areas named above Texas Children’s Health Plan will make every effort to assist them in obtaining medically necessary services. PHARMACY: Navitus Pharmacy update related to disaster declaration: Navitus has implemented the "Disaster Declaration and Refill Too Soon" process as a result of the severe weather, including thunderstorms and tornado events...

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Provider Alert!
09Apr

Provider Alert! DME/Supplies Exceeding Medicaid Limitations

Date: 04/09/2019 Subject: DME/Supplies Exceeding Medicaid Limitations Attention: DME and Home Health Providers Texas Children’s Health Plan applies benefit limitations for DME Supplies and Equipment per the current TMHP Manual for all members eligible to receive the benefit. See benefit exceptions below. Frequency of Billing As a reminder, DME monthly limits will be applied every 27 days. Claims for recurring DME rentals and/or monthly disposable supplies billed prior to this renewal date are subject to denial. Denied claims may be appealed through the standard appeal process...

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21Mar

Smoking cessation help available for parents and caregivers

Smoke-free homes lead to better health outcomes and reduced ED admissions for patients with asthma. Texas Children’s Health Plan provides free smoking cessation counseling and up to $75 of nicotine replacement products for the parents and caregivers of members with asthma. As a provider, you can help your patients more by supporting smoking cessation for parents and caregivers. If your practice site is interested in learning how to enroll parents/caregivers in this program, please contact Texas Children’s Health Plan’s Care...

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Provider Alert!
18Mar

Provider Alert! Update: Reimbursement Code for Sports and Camp Physicals

As spring training and sports begin, it’s an ideal time to ensure that all members are receiving their Texas Health Steps check ups timely. Texas Children’s Health Plan wants to remind our pediatric providers about sports physicals as value-added services. Members aged 5 - 19 (STAR & CHIP), 5 – 20 (STAR Kids) who have had a Texas Health Steps check up in the last 12 months will be eligible for one annual sports and school physical delivered by their Primary...

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