Monthly Archives - January 2020

Provider Alert!
29Jan

Provider Alert! URGENT – Makena (hydroxyprogesterone caproate) formulary change

Attention: OB providers Subject: URGENT - Makena (hydroxyprogesterone caproate) formulary change Effective Date: January 30, 2020   Call to action: The Texas Vendor Drug Program (VDP) will implement changes to the state Medicaid drug formulary, effective Thursday, January 30, 2020. Brand Makena formulations (intramuscular solution for injection, and subcutaneous auto-injectors) will remain on the preferred drug list (PDL). VDP has moved all generic hydroxyprogesterone caproate formulations to non-preferred drug status. Compounded formulations are not covered under the Medicaid formulary. Medicaid managed care plans are required...

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28Jan

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

According to the National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC), cervical cancer is a disease that affects approximately 13,000 women each year in the United States.  Cervical cancer incidence and mortality has declined substantially over the last several decades with improved cervical cancer screening1. Getting vaccinated for HPV early and getting screened through pap or HPV testing can greatly reduce chances of getting cervical cancer. Cervical Cancer Prevention Week begins on Sunday, January 19, 2020. The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) announced updates...

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28Jan

Provider Alert! Novel Coronavirus Infection – 5 Confirmed US Cases

Attention: All providers Effective Date: January 27, 2020   TCHP wants to help keep you up-to-date on developing issues.  Because updates are coming so frequently about the new coronavirus, please look for our posts on TheCheckup.org where you’ll find the latest information.  Also check with your institutional leaders to see if they have developed specific protocols for infection control.  A new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was recently detected in Wuhan City, China and is causing an outbreak of respiratory illness. The 2019-nCoV outbreak began in December...

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Provider Alert!
17Jan

Provider Alert! Medicaid drug formulary changes effective 1/30/2020

The Texas Vendor Drug Program (VDP) will implement changes to the state Medicaid drug formulary, effective Thursday, January 30, 2020. Select medications will be moving from “preferred” to “non-preferred” status and vice-versa. Texas Children’s Health Plan wanted to notify you in advance so that these changes do not impact the ability of your patients to obtain their medications.  A summary of the changes is included below.   Preferred and non-preferred medications may continue to require clinical prior authorizations. In addition to any...

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Provider Alert!
17Jan

Provider Alert! TCHP Fax Lines Availability: Fax lines open 24/7

Date: January 16, 2020 Attention: TCHP Providers Effective Date: January 6, 2020 Call to action: We are excited to announce that Texas Children’s Health Plan has made updates to the availability of the fax lines for authorization requests. The following outlines a summary of the changes. Beginning January 6, 2020, TCHP fax lines are open to receive requests for authorizations 24/7. This is a change to the former procedure to receive faxed requests for authorizations during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8a.m. – 6p.m.). Now providers...

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06Jan

Zantac/ranitidine drug recalls due to NDMA impurity

Multiple drug manufacturers have issued voluntary drug recalls for several Zantac drug products and its generic, ranitidine. Ranitidine is a histamine-2 receptor antagonist used to treat heartburn and related conditions. Potentially impacted customers are being notified with a recommendation to stop taking the medication and to discuss alternative therapies with their provider. The recalls are due to discovery of an impurity (N-nitrosodimethylamine [NDMA]) in the finished product. NDMA is classified as a probable human carcinogen that may be found in certain...

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