Tag - Prior Authorization

Provider Alert!

Provider Alert! Prior Authorization of Texas Health Steps (THSteps) dental therapy under general anesthesia for members who are six years of age or younger

Effective July 1, 2017, Texas Children’s Health Plan will be required to implement prior authorization for Level 4 deep sedation and general anesthesia provided in conjunction with therapeutic dental treatment for Medicaid dental clients from ages 0 through six years. All Level 4 services must be authorized prior to rendering services. Anesthesia services provided by a dentist should use procedure code D9223. Any anesthesia services provided by an anesthesiologist (M.D./D.O.) or certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), should use procedure code 00170,...

Provider Alert!

Provider Alert! Benefit Changes Prior Authorization Update

Attention: All Texas Children’s Health Plan Providers Subject: UPDATE to Changes for Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy Benefits   Prior Authorization Changes Update Changes to TCHP Prior Authorizations for PT, OT, and ST services: For therapy authorizations with approved dates of service spanning the 9/1 transition date, TCHP created a revised authorization in our system that reflects the new billing structure using the same authorization number. For all therapy requests that were submitted prior to 9/1, the revised authorization will start on 9/1 and cover through the end of...

Helping patients access and adhere to antipsychotic medications

A common reason for behavioral health readmission is delay to an outpatient supply of antipsychotic medications. You can help avoid this problem by completing prior authorization documentation before a patient is discharged. Texas Children’s Health Plan follows Texas Medicaid Guidelines for the use and approval of antipsychotics in children. Prior authorization documentation for antipsychotic medications can be found here: https://www.navitus.com/Misc-Pages/PDF-Form-Viewer.aspx?FormID=5264d812-b3d9-45f7-9b7a-a48eefca8adc Providers can ensure patients receive antipsychotic medications at discharge by using the hospital pharmacy or a community pharmacy delivery service. If a patient...

Provider Alert! Changes to Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy Benefits for All Ages

Effective for dates of service on or after September 1, 2017, physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), and speech therapy (ST) benefits for all ages will change for Texas Medicaid. Please review this link for changes to this medical benefit policy that applies to the following: Billing structure changes for PT, OT, and ST services Procedure codes end-dating August 31, 2017 Required modifiers Claims filing changes Clarification to benefits Providers may refer to the current Texas Medicaid Provider Procedures Manual, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy...

Provider Alert!

Provider Alert! STAR Kids Prescription/Pharmacy Prior Authorizations Reinstated 4/15/17

PRESCRIPTION PRIOR AUTHORIZATION NOTIFICATION Subject: STAR Kids Prescription/Pharmacy Prior Authorizations Reinstated 4/15/17 Effective 4/15/17, Texas Children’s Health Plan (TCHP) will enforce pharmacy prior authorization (PA) requirements for STAR Kids members STAR Kids members who received a prescription between 11/1/16-4/15/17 were not subject to normal PA requirements. PA requirements were temporarily lifted during this period to help facilitate the transition to STAR Kids. After 4/15/17, all prescriptions for STAR Kids members will be subject to normal PA documentation, including non-preferred drugs and drugs that require...

Attention: Star Kids Providers: Prior Authorization required on all Vendor Drug Program (VDP) identified medications

Texas Children’s Health Plan requires prior authorization (PA) on all medications on the VDP website prior to dispensing to members. To obtain a list of medications requiring prior authorization, visit the VDP website at: http://www.txvendordrug.com/formulary/preferred-drugs.shtml Providers can also view instructions on accessing and using the formulary at the Texas Children’s Health Plan website: http://www.thecheckup.org/2016/06/09/do-you-know-how-to-access-the-texas-childrens-health-plan-formulary/ Providers can submit PA documentation to Texas Children’s Health Plan’s pharmacy benefit manager, Navitus. PA forms can be found here: https://www.navitus.com/texas-medicaid-star-chip/prior-authorization-forms.aspx Prior authorizations need to be submitted to Navitus by faxing to...

Provider Alert!

Provider Alert! Prior Authorization required on all Vendor Drug Program (VDP) identified medications

Attention: Star Kids Providers Subject: Reminder: Prior Authorization required on all Vendor Drug Program (VDP) identified medications Texas Children’s Health Plan requires prior authorization (PA) on certain medications per the VDP website prior to dispensing to members. To obtain a list of medications requiring prior authorization, visit the VDP website at: http://www.txvendordrug.com/formulary/preferred-drugs.shtml Providers can also view instructions on accessing and using the formulary at the Texas Children’s Health Plan website: http://www.thecheckup.org/2016/06/09/do-you-know-how-to-access-the-texas-childrens-healthplan-formulary/ Providers can submit PA documentation to Texas Children’s Health Plan’s pharmacy benefit manager, Navitus....

Provider Alert! All Texas Children’s Health Plan providers and facilities Utilization Management Guidelines effective November 1, 2016

Texas Children’s Health Plan has developed Utilization Management guidelines that serve as criteria for the determination of medical necessity for services that require prior authorization. These guidelines will be effective on November 1, 2016. The goal of Texas Children’s Health Plan’s Utilization Management guidelines is to encourage the highest quality care from the right provider in the right setting. Utilization Management guidelines are available for you to review. Please contact Texas Children’s Health Plan’s Provider Relations department at 832-828-1008 or toll-free at...